Spanish Garnacha Guide: Campo de Borja, Cariñena & Calatayud

Posted by winesleuth in All, Spain | 0 comments

Spanish Garnacha: A Journey to the Source

A trip to northeastern Spain highlights the unique excitement of drinking Spanish Garnacha in its homeland. The goal was to understand why regions like Campo de Borja, Cariñena, and Calatayud are so perfect for this grape and to find the best value wines.

Why Spanish Garnacha is Special:
A new wave of winemakers is showcasing Garnacha as a complex, structured, and balanced single-varietal wine, moving beyond its role in blends. This quality comes from the grape’s strengths, its deep connection to the land, and a mix of tradition and innovation.

Region Highlights & Wineries:

1. Cariñena (Unió Cooperative): A blend of tradition and modern, sustainable practice. High-altitude, rocky vineyards stress the vines, producing grapes with concentrated flavor and vibrant acidity.
   • Standout Wines: Perla Garnacha 2021 & 2022; Perla White 2023. Noted for fantastic value.
2. Calatayud (Bodegas San Alejandro): Features Europe’s highest-altitude Garnacha vineyards (1,100 meters). The harsh climate and diverse soils cause slow ripening, resulting in wines with remarkable balance, restrained alcohol, and piercing acidity.
   • Standout Wines: The low-alcohol Miedes range, a Moscato frizzante (5.5% ABV) was a delicious “breakfast wine, ” so called because it’s light enough to have before 12pm and still be able to function the rest of the day! They produce a fun, entry-level My Perfect Match Garnacha, extremely glugable; and the quality Baltasar range.
3. Campo de Borja, “The Empire of Garnacha” (Bodegas Aragonesas): The heritage here is palpable, with vine cultivation dating back to 1145. These old vines give the wines incredible structural and aromatic complexity. Their old vines range from 50 – 80 years old. A tasting of over 30 wines confirmed great value.
   • Standout Wines: Coto de Hayas Garnacha/Syrah 2024 (reliable); Mosaico Old Vines Garnacha 2023 (complex); Garnacha Centenaria 2023 (flagship); Oxia (serious orange wine).

Conclusion:
Spanish Garnacha offers some of the best value in wine—complex, food-friendly, and fairly priced.

• For everyday value: Look to Cariñena.
• For elegant, high-altitude complexity: Explore Calatayud.
• For old-vine power: Campo de Borja is the answer.

The “Empire of Garnacha” is waiting to be discovered.