Graciano wine grape variety in Australia
Graciano is an aromatic red wine grape variety that is prized for the rich colour it gives to wines.
Artwine in the
Clare Valley
make an impressive Graciano
Graciano is used mostly in blends with Tempranillo in it's native Spain. It is prized for the spiciness, acidity and tannin that it gives as the minor component in blends.
A naming mess
The original variety is Spanish and is named Graciano in its homeland the Northern Spanish Ebro Valley and Navarra. It is grown in the Jerez region under the name Tintilla de Rota.
Graciano is used in France under the name Morrastel. But the Spanish use the variety called Mourvedre (or Mataro in Australia) under the name Morrastel.
To add to the confusion the Portuguese variety Tinta Miuda is now known to be to be the same variety.
Not to be outdone the Californians grow Graciano under the name Xeres
Graciano in Australia
The variety has a few adherents in Australia where it is used in blends with Tempranillo or as a varietal. Brown Brothers in the King Valley have had Graciano planted for many decades, and over recent years other growers and winemakers have become interested in the variety. The list below indicates that the variety is being tried in all mainland states but has yet to become popular anywhere.
I have been impressed with a few Tempranillo/Graciano blends. Straight Graciano wines tend to be big, soft and aromatic, sometimes a little too aromatic, but when done well they are very impressive rich wines.
Wineries in Australia using the Graciano variety
Food Pairing with Graciano
- Slice a couple of hot chorizo sausages into 1 cm rounds.
- Saute for a couple of minutes in olive oil with some crushed garlic and a chopped onion.
- Add to a pot with 1.5 litres of water and 500g of haricot beans which you have soaked overnight (or you can cheat with canned beans).
- Simmer for 1.5 hours. Adjust seasoning and perhaps add some paprika.
- Serves 6 as a first course with crusty bread and a bottle or two of Graciano wine.
With blends of Graciano and Tempranillo you should probably aim to match your food just as you would with Tempranillo.
However if you have a varietal Graciano it may be worth thinking about what foods will go with the stronger aromatic flavours of varietal Graciano wine.
Rustic game dishes or strongly flavoured stews might be the go with varietal Graciano.
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