A red grape that was once of vital importance in the Rioja region of northern Spain. Prone to disease and low yields it nonetheless produces wines of considerable weight, pigmentation, perfume and quality. The low yields proved to be its undoing in both Rioja and in France where it is known as Morrastel. It was crossed with the hybrid Petit Bouschet to produce the heartier Morrastel-Bouschet which eventually replaced it. Still found in very small amounts in the southwest of France, as well as Rioja in Spain, Mendoza in Argentina (as Graciana), and in Australia. Not to be confused with Monastrell which is the Spanish synonym for the Mourvedre. Wine (if you can find it) from Graciano has intense black fruits, red cherries and red plums and can be very long lived.
Black