Old World wine packs New World flair

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February 19, 2012

Anonymous Press-Republican The Press Republican Sun Feb 19, 2012, 02:28 AM EST

The wine I'm recommending this week is an excellent value. Retailing for only around $7 a bottle, Abrazo Garnacha is a versatile Spanish wine that will please a variety of palates at an affordable price.

This is a bit different from the other Spanish wines I've recommended; it has a softer texture, and, unusual for a Garnacha, it emphasizes fruit rather than spice. Flavor notes of plum and raspberry predominate, along with a touch of vanilla. The color is a bright purple, and the texture is plush and velvety. The friend who recommended this to me noted, in a somewhat tongue-in-cheek way: "It's kind of an Australian-style Spanish wine." He was referring to the fruit-forward qualities and the plush texture, which would likely appeal to fans of Australian red wines.

Despite these New World qualities, Abrazo Garnacha is from the Old

World, and from an area where wine has been made for centuries. The region of Carinena, in Aragon, is the source of this wine.

Interestingly, the region shares its name with a grape variety. The Carinena variety is used for winemaking in Spain and in southern France. Traditionally, it was of course the dominant variety of the area. However, that has changed-as is reflected at the vineyard that produces Abrazo. For Garnacha has now become more popular than Carinena in the Carinena region itself. I wonder if it's time for a change of names?

Ironic though this shift in popularity might be, the appeal of Garnacha is understandable. And Abrazo Garnacha, with its affordable price and approachable style, seems likely to broaden that appeal in the international market.

Abrazo Garnacha is easy to pair with food. It would go well as an accompaniment to pasta with a tomato-based sauce or to roast chicken, beef dishes or good pizza. Fruit-forward wines generally are easy to pair, and Abrazo Garnacha is no exception.

After all, this is an Old World wine with some New World flavors.

Next time: Cloudline Pinot Noir

Chris Fasolino's interest in wine began with a trip to Italy. Since then, he has expanded his knowledge with research, tastings and further trips to Italy. He believes there's a story behind every wine.