Alicante Bouschet is one of the most important red grapes in the entire Alentejo region. Even though it isn’t native to Portugal it has adapted wonderfully and has really come into its own. Henri Bouschet created it in 1866 by crossing Grenache with Petit Bouschet, which was created by Henri's father from Aramon noir and Teinturier.
In Portugal, that hearty rusticity expressing terroir is valued. Older Alicante vines produce beautiful wines and aficionados are proving their point by producing wines made entirely of Alicante grapes such as our Alicante Bouschet Premium by Monte da Ravasqueira.
Alicante adds color, body, and structure to blends. On its own it makes big, bold juicy wines with flavors ranging from fresh to jammy blackberries, blueberries, black cherries, and more. It has spicy, smoky flavors, along with sweeter tones of dark chocolate, baking spice, and vanilla bean.