Try The Bink Wines Alicante Bouschet: https://www.bucketboys.com.au/products/bink-wines-meisje-alicante-bouchet-2021
Alicante Bouschet is one of the most obscure grape varieties on the planet. Unlike many other wine varieties which evolved naturally throughout the history of winemaking, For much of it's history it wasn't something you could actually find readily available at your local bottle shop, but we got our hands on a bottle of Bink Wines and thought the story was too good too keep untold!
A Bit Of History:
Alicante Bouschet was brought into the world as the result of careful breeding. A botanist named Henri Bouschet crossed Grenache (known as Alicante in southern France) with a grape developed by his father called Petit Bouschet.
After the phylloxera blight destroyed French vineyards in the late 1800's, Alicante Bouschet thrived! But France isn't the only key to this varietals success. It was also used during the US Prohibition as well, utilised through a loophole that allowed families to make a small amount of wine at home.
Families would order Alicante Bouschet in grape bricks, and soak them in water to rehydrate them. Many times this was done in the bathtub, hence the term bathtub wine!
What Does It Taste Like:
Fruit forward, with jam-like flavours like blackberry, black cherries, blueberries etc. Alicante Bouschet is higher in alcohol and tannins, but can be more acidic when grown in cooler regions. It hotter areas it is much more mellow and best consumed fresh!
If you are a fan of Shiraz, Zinfandel or Cab Sav you should definitely try this variety!