red grape · regional specialty
Graciano
Rioja, Spain
Say it
grah·see·ah·no
Castilian 'c' before 'i' is a dental fricative, yielding grah-THYAH-no; American wine trade substitutes 's.'
On the palate
Body
medium full
Acidity
high
Tannin
medium plus
Aromatics
pronounced
blackberryblack cherryvioletlicoriceblack pepperchocolate
How you spot it blind: extreme natural acidity and intense licorice perfume in a deeply pigmented red
The story
First written down · 19th century, Rioja, Spain
DNA profiling (2007) confirmed Graciano is genetically identical to Sardinia's Bovale Sardo, consistent with its transport to the island during Aragonese rule beginning in the 14th century.
Where it lives
Rioja, Spain · Navarra, Spain · Portugal (as Tinta Miuda) · Sardinia, Italy (as Cagnulari) · Barossa Valley, Australia
Shows up as
still red