GRENACHES DU MONDE 2018

From April 12th to 14th, the sixth edition of the "Grenaches du Monde" contest was held in Gandesa, in the southern Catalan region of Terra Alta.

The competition's main aim is to identify the best Grenache wines - red and white, both single varietal and blended - produced all over the world.

This year's contest has proven particularly fruitful for the Spanish wineries, as they have collected no less than 80 Gold Medals - 54% of all the Gold Medals awarded by the jury - and a significant amount of Silver Medals.

 

Here is a brief selection of wines that have won a Gold Medal in the 2018 Grenaches du Monde Competition.

 

Based in Montsant, the Vinyes Domènech winery got 2 top distinctions for the following red wines:

-One for the young Bancal del Bosc 16, a blend of Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah.

-One for the expressive Furvus 14, a combination of Hairy Grenache and Merlot.

 

From the rugged hills of Aragón, the craddle of Grenache, we suggest two single varietal red wines.

-Crafted by Bodegas Breca, owned by Jorge Ordóñez, the intense Garnacha de Fuego 2016 is a simply astonishing value.

-A monument made from old vines, Alto Moncayo Veratón 15 is a top-notch red by the Alto Moncayo winery.

 

Now let's take a look at three interesting wines which were awarded a Silver Medal.

They are one red wine and, interestingly, two white wines made solely from White Grenache, a variety whose prestige has consistently grown over the last years.

 

-Highlighting the elegant side of Priorat, the Marco Abella winery crafts Mas Mallola 2015, a traditional blend of Grenache and Carignan.

-Still in the region, La Conreria d'Scala Dei's best known wine is Les Brugueres 2016, a mineral and luscious white.

-Heading south, Lafou Els Amelers 2016 from Terra Alta is an elegant white wine by Lafou Celler with a nice ageing potential.

 

Until our next post,

Enjoy wine - and let it breathe.