Alicante Bouschet — Deep Colour, Bold Structure in Alentejo
Alicante Bouschet is a distinctive red grape variety renowned for its intense colour, bold structure and rich flavours. Though originally bred in France, it has found its true home in Portugal’s Alentejo region, where warm, dry conditions allow it to thrive and express its full potential.
Origins & Viticulture
Alicante Bouschet is a teinturier variety — meaning both its skins and its flesh are deeply pigmented, producing wines of striking inky red colour. It resulted from crossing Grenache and Petit Bouschet, and was first planted at Herdade do Mouchão in Portugal in the late 1800s.
Wine Style & Profile
Wines made from Alicante Bouschet are typically full-bodied and richly coloured, with firm tannins and good acidity that help balance the ripe fruit and intense structure. Typical aroma and flavour notes include blackberries, black cherries, plum, spice and earth, with some wines showing hints of chocolate or coffee on the palate.
Because of its natural depth, Alicante Bouschet is often used both in blends and as a varietal wine. In Alentejo, winemakers use it to add colour, body and age-worthy structure to red blends, and many producers also make 100 % Alicante Bouschet wines with impressive intensity and length.
Regional Importance
In Alentejo, Alicante Bouschet has become almost emblematic of the region’s reds, well adapted to the hot, sunny climate and contributing significantly to the character of many traditional and modern wines. Its ability to retain structure and develop complexity makes it valuable in both classic blends and standout single-varietal bottles.