October 20th marks the celebration of Alicante Bouschet Day, one of the most remarkable and iconic teinturier grape varieties, renowned for giving wines intense color, depth, and incomparable structure. Originally from France, this grape has found a perfect terroir in Portugal, especially in the Alentejo region, to fully express its potential.
Alicante Bouschet is one of the few teinturier grapes, meaning both the skin and the pulp of the grape are red, which gives it a deeper color and greater aging potential. Wines made from this variety are known for their robustness, complexity, and aromas of dark fruits, spices, and often a hint of chocolate and tobacco.
Alicante of Portugal: A Special Connection
In Portugal, Alicante Bouschet has found its home particularly in the Alentejo region, where it has been used to produce some of the country’s most iconic and prestigious wines. The combination of warm climate and the region’s soils helps cultivate grapes with a higher concentration of aromas and flavors, resulting in wines that are true classics.
At Herdade do Rocim, a genuine Alicante Bouschet is born, carefully foot-trodden in a traditional stone press and aged in French oak barrels. It is crafted with passion by generations that have always respected and nurtured the land.
Montaria is a tribute to man’s best friend, the dog. Montaria is a German Shepherd living at Herdade da Candeeira in the Alentejo, who accompanies the viticulture team daily as they work to create wines like this Montaria Alicante Bouschet.
The tasting note for Pousio Alicante Bouschet from Herdade do Monte da Ribeira in Vidigueira is a true homage to the grape and the land: “The breeze sweeps over the plains and warm tones paint a deep and unforgettable landscape. Only this land, embracing us every evening, could produce a wine with an intense red fruit aroma, dense ruby color, and velvety touch.”
But it’s not only the Alentejo that offers monovarietal wines from this grape
In the Douro, Vallado Alicante Bouschet, harvested in 2021 and released in 2023, is a rich and round wine, with excellent mouthfeel, a fresh and long finish with flavors of dark fruits.
In the Lisbon region, Quinta do Gradil produces an Alicante Bouschet that impresses with its tannic character, contrasted by the freshness brought by the Atlantic Ocean’s proximity.
In the Setúbal Peninsula, Bacalhôa Alicante Bouschet showcases the deeply intense color typical of the variety, with aromas of ripe strawberries, hints of mint, and spices. On the palate, it stands out for its structure, intensity, and vigor, with a refreshing finish that lingers.
A Versatile and Powerful Grape
Combining strength and elegance, Alicante Bouschet wines are perfect for pairing with red meats, game, and strong cheeses.
Moreover, its aging potential makes it an ideal choice for those who want to store wines and enjoy them over time.
Try aged wines like Júlio B Bastos 2015 (Alentejo), Palácio dos Távoras Alicante Bouschet 2017 (Douro), Quinta da Boa Esperança 2018 (Lisbon), Mamoré de Borba 2018 (Alentejo), or Duas Famílias 2019 (Alentejo).
On this special day, let’s discover or rediscover this unique grape variety, which has given us so many unforgettable wines.
Explore our 100% Alicante Bouschet wines or blends where this grape shines, and celebrate the best that the world of wine has to offer.
