‘The Next Great Grape’

According to a survey of 350 industry experts including retailers, beverage directors and sommeliers by research provider Wine Opinions to identify the next great wine discovery for 2015, Spain is most likely to unveil a “yet to be discovered” wine region. Spanish red wine featuring the Garnacha grape has the highest growth potential. The survey was commissioned by the Cariñena region of Spain, which has more “old vines” of Garnacha planted than any other area, and is ripe to be picked as U.S. consumers’ next great grape discovery.

A remarkable 87% of wine industry professionals surveyed think Spain has the best opportunity to unveil a “yet to be discovered” wine region, based on U.S. penetration by country. Italy and Argentina ranked second and third, respectively.

92% of respondents predict that the red Garnacha grape variety from Spain has the greatest growth potential. Garnacha even edged out the Tempranillo grape, Spain’s most noble red variety (89%). Consumers can anticipate finding more Garnacha for purchase soon; over three quarters (76%) of those surveyed plan to add Garnacha to their offerings, highlighting the “rich, concentrated flavor profiles” and “fruit-forward styles” that are “fresh, lively, balanced” as the most appealing selling points of Spanish Garnacha. Others that ranked high for Garnacha included sourcing from from vineyards with old vines and a history of success with the grape. 

The extremely positive outlook for the Spanish Garnacha variety bodes well for rising stars like the Cariñena region, which has more old vines of Garnacha planted than any other region in Spain. The region offers some of the best quality over price of flavorful, fruit-forward wines made of Garnacha grapes from established vines planted in distinctive stone soils. Here is the complete Survey.

Grenache or Garnacha (as it is known in Spain) most likely originated in the region of Aragon in northern Spain, according to ampelographical evidence. Plantings probably spread from the original birthplace to Catalonia and other lands under the Crown of Aragon. An early synonym  for the vine was Tinto Aragonés (red of Aragon). The grape is known as Cannonau in Sardinia, where it is claimed that it originated there and spread to other. Despite its prevalence in nearby Navarra and Catalonia, Garnacha was not widely planted in the Rioja till the early 20th century.