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Graciano Spanish red wine varietal in Australia

Graciano is used most 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. Problems in the vineyard such as Downy mildew restrict its popularity in some regions.

Graciano: a naming mess

The original variety is Spanish and is named Graciano in its homeland the 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

The variety has a few adherents in Australia where it is used in blends with Tempranillo or as a varietal. 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. The Mount Majura Cellar Door Release 2006 won a silver medal at AAVWS 2007.

Food Pairing with Graciano

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.

Try this easy Spanish recipe: Alubias con Chorizo - bean and sausage hotpot

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.

Wineries in Australia using the Graciano variety

Artwine Clare Valley

Artwine Clare Valley
Back Pocket Granite Belt
Brown Brothers King Valley
Cascabel McLaren Vale
Ciavarella King Valley
Donnybrook Estate Geographe
Epsilon Barossa Valley
Happs Margaret River
Lillian Pemberton
Mazza Geographe
Mount Majura Canberra
Rimfire Vineyards Darling Downs
Ross Estate Wines Barossa Valley
Swings & Roundabouts Margaret River
Talijancich Swan Valley
The Grove Vineyard Margaret River
Tscharke Barossa Valley
Vinifera Wines Mudgee
Zonte's Footstep Langhorne Creek

I may have missed some. Contact me if you know of other winersis using this variety.

I'd love to hear about your suggestions for food pairing with this variety.

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