Garnacha Alta wines at the London Wine Fair

Delightful masterclass by Rosana Lisa, winemaker from the Spanish wine academy.

These are the main takeaways from her talk.

Grenache, as it is mostly known outside of Spain, is valued because it is highly resistant to drought, a rustic variety that should adapt well to climate change, ie drier seasons.

It can have high yields but at the expense of quality and recently producers prefer quality over quantity.

It is also quite resistant to pests, including phylloxera, which allows for less use of pesticides.

It is a good "team player", meaning it works well in blends with many other varieties.

Discreet, soft tannins, make for a highly drinkable wine even without long aging.

Here below my tasting notes.

1. Ramon Bilbao

Early harvest rose 2024

60% tempranillo 40% red garnacha

Floral, smooth and long.

Score 88



2. & 3. Ramon Bilbao

90% red garnacha 10% viura

Lalombra finca Lalinde 2015 & 2024

2015: evolved dry fruits dry Apricot, petrol notes,feeks slightly oxydized

Score 88

2024: smooth long




4. Ramon Bilbao by Sebastian Velez from Colombia challenge winner

100 garnacha

Score 86




5. Ramon Bilbao, Limite sur 2020

100% garnacha

20yo avg age of vines

Score 88




6. Ramon Bilbao

100 month concrete 2015

100% garnacha single vineyard, no oak

Liquorice, still evolving,

Score 92



7. Mas Alta

ELS PICS 2021

50% garnacha 40% cariñena 10% syrah

Mas means rural house.

Powerful complex long

Score 93


8. Mas Alta

Artigas 2020

80% garnacha 10%cariñena 10% Cabernet sauvignon

Very long and complex, perfect balance

Score 95