Swill or Swell: Episode 27

Borsao Garnacha

Watch the episode here

Welcome to Swill or Swell, a weekly series where I taste grocery store wines and let you know if they’re worth the buck or just meant for the drain! 

CAVEAT! As you read this, please keep in mind that wine is subjective! This means that everyone enjoys different things and something I like might not be something you like and vice versa. I’ll be as objective as I can with facts about the wine’s quality, but in the end if your opinion differs from mine...that’s perfectly fine! Wine is only worth drinking if YOU like drinking it!

LET'S INTRODUCE THE WINE

Today I'll be tasting the Borsao Selección 2019 Garnacha. I purchased this from Kroger QFC for $8.99. I have seen this bottle all over the place, both in big grocery stores and in smaller wine shops, so I thought it'd be fun to try!

BORSAO GARNACHA FUN FACTS

Let's start by talking about the Garnacha grape:

• The grape originated in the northern region of Spain known as Aragon. 
• Due to Aragon’s proximity to French border, it quickly traveled over the Pyrenees Mountains and found another home in Southern France where it’s called Grenache.
• It's known for berry flavors of strawberry and raspberry.
• Garnacha vines are resilient and rather easy to grow in a variety of soils, however, they have a long growing season and take a long time to ripen, so they prefer warmer climates.

Now let's talk about the region this wine comes from: D.O. Campo de Borja, Aragón:

• This area is an extremely arid region located between two rivers (Erbo & La Huecha).
• Garnacha reigns supreme here where the average age of vines is 30-50 years old!
• Aragón is known for producing concentrated, powerful, and aromatic wines.
• The area is greatly influenced by altitude:
  • Low-lying regions: warmest, early ripening, structured wines high in alcohol (like ours)
  • Middle elevations: grown on slopes with high exposure to sun, characterful and intense wines
  • Highest elevations: coolest, finesse, subtlety, balance

WINE TASTING NOTES

Look: Ruby Red w/ hint of magenta
Smell: Strawberry fruit roll-up, white pepper, bright red fruit, green herbs
Taste: High alcohol, medium finish, medium body, low to medium tannin, medium plus acidity
Think:
Food Pairing - Any thing you would put bbq sauce on! Also, my guest @queerwino tried it with pho and said it was delicious!
Occasion - Perfect wine to bring to a party, definitely crowd pleaser! Also could go well in a Sangria!
Rating - I give this a swell!

Want to learn more? Check out my Instagram every Thursday at 5PM PST for a new episode of Swill or Swell! Have a wine you’d like me to taste? Write your request in the comments below or send me a message on Instagram!
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