Alicante Bouschet

Alicante Bouschet, also known as Alicante Henri Bouschet, is a teinturier grape variety that is widely planted in Spain, Portugal, and France. It was first cultivated in 1866 as a crossing of Petit Bouschet and Grenache by Henri Bouschet. It was originally used as a blending grape to improve the depth of color of popular grapes of the 19th century. After the phylloxera epidemic, it was used to rebuild the European wine industry due to its high yields and easy-to-grow vines. However, it lost popularity in the late 20th century but is now experiencing a resurgence with modern producers creating high-quality examples at attractive prices. The variety is capable of producing fruity, fresh and balanced wines when grown properly. It is now also found in Italy, Israel, North Macedonia, North Africa, Brazil, and Australia. Synonyms include: Alicante, Alicante Henri Bouschet, Garnacha Tintorera.