Alicante Henri Bouschet

Alicante Henri Bouschet is a grape variety that is widely used in wine production. It is a cross of Petit Bouschet (itself a cross of the very old variety Teinturier du Cher and Aramon) and Grenache. Alicante is a teinturier, a grape with red flesh. It is one of the few teinturier grapes that belong to the Vitis vinifera species. Its deep color makes it useful for blending with light red wine. It was planted heavily during Prohibition in California for export to the East Coast. Its thick skin made it resistant to rot during the transportation process. The intense red color was also helpful for stretching the wine during prohibition, as it could be diluted without detracting from the appearance. At the turn of the 21st century, Alicante Bouschet was the 12th most planted red wine grape in France with sizable plantings in the Languedoc, Provence and Cognac regions.

History

Alicante Henri Bouschet was created by Henri Bouschet in 1866, as a cross between Petit Bouschet and Grenache. The Bouschet family was famous for their work in creating hybrid grapes, with the intention of improving the characteristics of the existing varieties. Alicante Henri Bouschet was one of their most successful varieties, due to its deep color and high productivity.

Viticulture

Alicante Bouschet is a high yielding grape variety that has a very deep, almost black color. The grape has a good resistance to diseases, which makes it a popular choice for growers. However, the grape has a tendency to produce high yields which can lead to less concentrated and lower quality wines if not controlled.

Wine regions

Alicante Bouschet is grown in various wine regions around the world. In France, it is particularly found in the Languedoc-Roussillon region. It is also grown in Spain, particularly in the Valencia and Jumilla regions. In the United States, it is grown in California and Arizona.

Wines

Wines made from Alicante Bouschet are often characterized by their deep, almost black color. The wines usually have a high alcohol content and are often used in blends to add color and body to the wine. Alicante Bouschet wines can have flavors of dark fruits such as blackberries and blueberries, with hints of spice and sometimes a smoky or earthy quality.

Synonyms

Alicante Henri Bouschet is also known under the synonyms Alicant de Pays, Alicante, Alicante Bouschet, Alicante Bouschet Crni, Alicante Extra, Alicante Negro, Alicante Nero, Alicante Noir, Alicantina, Alikant Bushe, Alikant, Buse, Alikant Buse Veliki, Alikant Buse Velykyi, Alikant Genri Bushe, Alikant Genri, Buse, Aragonais, Aragones, Arrenaou, Baga, Bakir Uzumu, Barvarica, Blasco, Boal Tinto, Bogazkere, Carignan Jaune, Cupper Grape, Dalmatinka, Garnacha, Garnacha Tinta, Kambusa, Lhadoner, Moraton, Mouraton, Murviedro, Negral, Pe de Perdiz, Pe de Pombo, Petit Bouschet, Redondal, Rivesaltes, Rivos Altos, Roussillon, Rouvaillard, Sumo tinto, Tinta Femea, Tinta Francesa, Tinto, Tinto Nero, Tinto Nizza, Tinto Velasco, Tintorera, Tintorera de Liria, Tintorera de Longares, Tinturao, Uva di Spagna.