★ Top rated 6 to 8 hours 📍 Aix en Provence The Shape of Alicante Bouschet
Each spoke runs from delicate (centre) to pronounced (edge). Tap a benchmark to lay a familiar grape over the top.
Alicante Bouschet
More About Alicante Bouschet
Alicante Bouschet was once a popular French red grape but has now found a home in the Alentejo region of Portugal, where it has the nickname, “Tinta de Escrever,” as well as in parts of Spain, where it is called Garnacha Tintorera or Negral. It’s a Vitis vinifera grape that is a cross between Petit Bouschet and Grenache that was cultivated in 1866 by the French viticulturist, Henri Bouschet, whose father, Louis, had created the original Bouschet grape.
Though it was much more popular in the 20th century in France, there are still sizable plantings in the Languedoc, Provence, and Cognac regions of that country. However, many will argue that it is the most Portuguese non-Portuguese grape as it thrives in the arid climate of Alentejo, where it is the flagship red grape.
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Terroir & Cultivation
In the vineyard, Alicante Bouschet is a thick-skinned grape that buds and ripens early. The vines grow best in soils with low-medium fertility located in dry, very warm climates, such as in Alentejo. It is largely resistant to rot but is prone to diseases such as anthracnose, downy mildew, and sometimes, bunch rot if the clusters grow too tightly. The propensity for early ripening and high yields can create grapes that are lacking in certain structural components, so growers must be careful when they choose to harvest. This is a “teinturier” grape, meaning it produces red juice.
RELATED: Learn About The Alentejo Wine Region
Alicante Bouschet Tasting Notes
Wines made from Alicante Bouschet are usually deep purple in color and known for being firm, with massive structure, and often, rustic tannins. The wines can also be higher in alcohol but lower in acidity, which is why the grape can be blended with others in order to provide balance, most specifically by adding softness and color. Typical aromas in Alicante Bouschet wines include forest berries, peppery black fruit, cocoa, and olives. Flavors of the wine include peppery black fruit, spices, cola, and cacao. These wines can often be jammy, although, if consumed too young, they can lack complexity. It’s best to age Alicante Bouschet in order to bring out tertiary flavors for a more well-rounded wine.
Food Pairing
Because Alicante Bouschet typically creates a heavier wine, it’s best to pair it with equally as intense foods. BBQ or smoked meats are an option, as well as grilled vegetables. Roasted pig or lamb are options when enjoying Alicante Bouschet wines.
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Jacqueline Coleman is a professional wine + travel writer, wine judge, columnist, and consultant based in Miami, FL.
Where It Grows
Taste Alicante Bouschet at the Source
Alicante Bouschet is tied to a handful of regions. Explore each as a travel destination — with wineries, tours and guides.
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Tours Featuring Alicante Bouschet
Bookable experiences in Alicante Bouschet's home regions.
★ Top rated 6 to 8 hours 📍 Aix en Provence
★ Top rated 8 hours 📍 Aix en Provence
★ Top rated 7 hours 30 minutes 📍 Aix en Provence Wine, Olive Oil and Scenic Villages of Provence
🕑 Full-day
★ Top rated 9 hours 📍 Avignon Châteauneuf du Pape Wine Day Tasting Tour including Lunch from Avignon
🕑 Full-day 🍽 Lunch included
★ Top rated 7 hours 📍 Marseille Côtes de Provence Wine Day Tour : 7 hours
🕑 Full-day
4 hours 15 minutes 📍 Aix en Provence Half day Wine Tour in Côteaux Aix from Aix en Provence
🕑 Half-day
Alicante Bouschet: Frequently Asked Questions
What does Alicante Bouschet wine taste like?
Alicante Bouschet delivers dark blackberry, black cherry and plum flavors with earthy, peppery and floral notes. Unusually, this teinturier grape has red flesh, producing deeply colored, inky wines. It shows medium-to-full body, firm tannins and good acidity, often with a rustic, robust character.
Is Alicante Bouschet sweet or dry?
Alicante Bouschet is made dry, yielding deeply colored, full-flavored red wines. Its intense pigment and structure suit dry styles, both varietal and blended. There is no inherent sweetness; the classic expression is a robust, dry red with dark fruit and firm tannins.
What food pairs well with Alicante Bouschet?
Alicante Bouschet's bold structure pairs well with grilled and roasted meats, lamb, beef stews and barbecue. It complements game, sausages, aged cheeses and hearty, spiced dishes. Its firm tannins and dark fruit stand up to rich Portuguese, Spanish and Mediterranean cuisine confidently.
What makes Alicante Bouschet unusual among red grapes?
Alicante Bouschet is a teinturier grape, meaning it has red-pigmented flesh and juice, unlike most red grapes with clear pulp. This produces exceptionally deep, inky-colored wines. Historically it was used to add color to blends, but it now makes prized varietal wines, especially in Alentejo.
Where is Alicante Bouschet grown?
Alicante Bouschet was bred in 19th-century France and is now widely grown in Portugal's Alentejo, where it produces acclaimed reds. It is also planted in Spain, southern France, California and North Africa, valued for its deep color, heat tolerance and robust structure.
How should you serve Alicante Bouschet?
Serve Alicante Bouschet at 60-65°F in a large glass, decanting younger, tannic bottles to soften their structure. Its full body and firm tannins reward air. Premium Alentejo versions can age several years, developing complexity, while everyday styles drink well within a few years.