I thought this week would make for an interesting tasting. I had tried red wine Grenache before, but now it was time for white Grenache. I thought it would be interesting to see the similarities and differences between these two varietals.
Clot d’encis wines belong to the Terra Alta region of the Catalan wine region. The region has become known for its white wines, although there are a few reds grown there as well. The whites from Terra Alta have the classic Mediterranean character, with their definitive herbal and fruity tastes and scents.* Clot d’encis is part of the larger winery known as Sant Josep Wines, which functions as a wine cooperative. The cooperative has been functioning since 1962 and also grows olives for olive oil.*
White Grenache or Grenache Blanc is considered a mutation of the red Grenache grape. While white Grenache is mostly known as being grown in France, Spain is the second most notable region for it. It is known for its vitality, high alcohol and low acidity. The crops must be heavily coordinated or overproduction will occur, causing over-plumpness.*
This wine was from Catalonia, Spain, and sampled on September 8, 2017. The pale gold color was really lovely. Instantly I smelled peaches and basil. Hints of sawdust also came through the more deeply I breathed. I was listening to “Pop” by NSYNC, which really took me back and made me giggle. The first taste made me think of honeydew melon with a little bit of yellow apple as well. It had that same softness that yellow apples tend to have. This wine definitely softened the spiciness of the harissa-roasted carrots.
I gave this wine a rating of 3.5. It paired well with the carrots, which made me enjoy it all the more. I would definitely purchase this wine again.
Sources:
http://www.citytoursbarcelona.com/english/wine-regions/terra-alta