I’m a big fan of Grenache based red wines, their bright red fruit notes are a nice change of pace from the usual Cabernet, Merlot, etc.

In Spain it’s called Garnacha and is one of the most widely planted grape varietals in the country. The grape also has a large presence in the Rhone and Languedoc regions of southern France as well as in Sardinia where it’s called Cannonau.

On September 30th. I attended Spain’s Great Match New York City. It was both a trade and consumer event and was a “celebration of Spanish wine, spirits and gastronomy” featuring Spanish companies and importers.

The event was held at Mercado Little Spain at 10 Hudson Yards on the west side of Manhattan. Mercado Little Spain is to Spanish food what Eataly is to Italian food, they are culinary theme parks with various restaurants showcasing the cuisine of those countries.

Spain has its own rich culinary tradition and Mercado served many of those foods as hors d’oeuvres for people attending the event. Foods such as paella, suckling pig, grilled octopus and churros to name a few. They also served Spanish jamon. With apologies to my Italian brethren, Spain makes some of the best cured hams in the world. It’s like natures candy and I made my presence known at the ham tables. Since I’m a fan of Grenache, I attended the seminar.

Seminar Presented by Evan Goldstein

Campo de Borja The Empire of Garnacha

2024 Bodegas Ainzon Peñazuela Garnacha Blanca: Pale light yellow, white flowers on the nose with nice acidity.

2022 Bodegas Borsao Tres Picos: Opaque dark purple, closed nose of slate and white pepper, chewy, silky red fruit ending with crisp acidity.

2023 Bodegas Aragonesas Garnacha Centenaria: Opaque dark red, purple rim, closed nose of tar, tight and concentrated ending with silky, firm tannin.

2022 Bodegas Morca Morca: Opaque dark purple, crushed red fruit and pickle juice on the nose, chewy fruit with gun metal notes ending with firm tannin.

2021 Bodegas Alto Moncayo Veraton: Opaque black, purple rim, closed nose of white pepper and warm spice, chewy, black licorice fruit ending with lip smacking tannin.

2021 Vino dei Viento Ermita Santa Barbara: Opaque black, purple rim, perfume of sweet cigarette smoke and cooked fat with chewy black fruit and big tannin.