Gamaret grape variety

The Spanish Bobal originates from the Utiel-Requena wine-growing region near Valencia. Its thick-skinned grapes make it resistant to drought. They are also responsible for the almost opaque purple colour, high tannins and plenty of structure. Typical flavours are dark berries, such as cherry and plum, accompanied by spicy and herbal notes. The variety is often blended with Tempranillo or Garnacha to give the cuvées more colour and structure. In recent years, however, there has also been an increase in single-varietal Bobals, as they reflect the terroir of their origin well. In keeping with its strong character, the variety shows its strengths above all with appropriate dishes. Intensive braised beef, lamb or game dishes are its domain.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about Gamaret wine

What is the best way to describe the flavour of the Gamaret grape variety?

The Gamaret grape variety produces wines that are characterised by their intense, dark fruit. Think of ripe blackberries, blackcurrants and dark cherries. But what really sets it apart is its distinctive spicy, peppery flavour, often reminiscent of Syrah.

What is the structure of tannin and acidity in the Gamaret grape variety?

In contrast to its parent (Gamay), the Gamaret grape variety has a very solid structure. It has strong but mostly well-ripened tannins and a moderate, harmoniously integrated acidity. This gives the wine a full-bodied and structured mouthfeel.

What influence does ageing in wooden barrels have on the Gamaret grape variety?

The Gamaret grape variety loves oak barrels! As it has sufficient body and structure, it harmonises wonderfully with barrique flavours. The wood ageing often gives the wines additional notes of vanilla, dark chocolate and tobacco, which greatly increases their complexity.

Where does the Gamaret grape variety originally come from?

The Gamaret grape variety is a relatively young variety. It was created in 1970 in Switzerland at the Changins Research Centre by crossing Gamay and Reichensteiner. The aim was to create a variety that combines the finesse of Gamay with more colour and resistance.

In which regions is the Gamaret grape variety mainly cultivated today?

The Gamaret grape variety is mainly grown in Switzerland, particularly in the cantons of Geneva, Vaud and Valais. However, in Germany (e.g. in Baden or the Palatinate) and in northern Italy, small but fine areas of this variety can now also be found more and more frequently.

What dishes go perfectly with a Gamaret wine?

Due to its spicy structure, the Gamaret grape variety is a fantastic accompaniment to savoury meat dishes. Think of braised lamb shank, grilled beef steak or game dishes such as saddle of venison. It is also a delight with savoury mountain cheese or a classic Swiss meat platter.

What is the difference between the Gamaret grape variety and its "sister" Garanoir?

Both originate from the same cross (Gamay x Reichensteiner). While the Garanoir is rather soft, fruity and ready to drink early, the Gamaret grape variety is the more powerful part: darker, richer in tannins and much better suited to ageing in wooden barrels.

How does the Gamaret grape variety differ from its parent Gamay?

Think of Gamay as the bright, cheerful brother (low tannin, light colour). The Gamaret grape variety, on the other hand, is the dark, serious type. It has much more colouring in the skin and a structure that is more reminiscent of Syrah or Cabernet Sauvignon than the classic Beaujolais style of Gamay.

Discover more grape varieties for red wines.

Syrah

The French Rhone Valley is the home of Syrah, a red grape variety that can also be found in the USA and especially in Australia, where it is usually known as Shiraz. The two names are as different as the respective styles with which the genetically identical grape varieties are vinified.

Montepulciano

Montepulciano is a red grape variety that is mainly grown in central Italy. Its wines are full-bodied, rich in extract, with strong alcohol and moderate acidity. They typically show flavours of dark fruits such as plums and cherries, often complemented by spicy or tobacco notes.

Saperavi

Saperavi means "dyer" - and it is indeed one of the few red wine varieties whose skin and flesh are coloured. This explains the almost inky black colour and the intense personality of its wines.

Schwarzriesling

Schwarzriesling, also known as Pinot Meunier or Müllerrebe, is a red grape variety that is mainly native to France and Germany. In France, it plays an important role as a traditional component of the cuvée in Champagne in particular, while in southern Germany it is also often found as a rather simple, single-varietal still wine.

Zinfandel

The Zinfandel grape variety is mainly grown in California and produces powerful, extremely powerful and dense red wines, usually with a high alcohol content. The flavour is characterised by aromas of ripe, dark berries and fruits such as blackberry, cherry and plum as well as spicy notes of cinnamon, cloves, chocolate and pepper.

Zweigelt

Zweigelt is a highly successful new red variety from Austria, whose parents are Blaufränkisch and St. Laurent. It produces violet/red wines with a deep colour and intense aromas such as cherry, red and blackcurrant or blackberry, as well as spicy notes such as vanilla or cinnamon.

Elbling

Elbling is a very old white grape variety with a long history that is mainly cultivated in Germany, particularly along the upper Moselle. The wines are light, fresh and sparkling, with a strong, marked acidity and low alcohol content - which makes Elbling particularly interesting as a base wine for sparkling wines.

Furmint

Hardly any other grape variety is as closely associated with a country and its most famous wine as Furmint is with Hungary and Tokaj. The white variety is considered the heart and soul of the legendary sweet wine - and is also experiencing a remarkable renaissance as a dry wine.

Pinot Gris

Pinot Gris, also known as Pinot Gris or Pinot Grigio, is a white grape variety grown in many wine regions such as France, Italy and Germany.

Müller-Thurgau)

Müller-Thurgau is a white variety that is mainly cultivated in Germany and Austria. The wines are light to medium-bodied, with moderate acidity and a strong flavour, usually with a typical muscat tone. Müller-Thurgau wines are usually dry or semi-dry and vinified in steel tanks.

Muscat/Muskateller

Muscat, also known as Muscat or Moscato, is not so much a single grape variety as a fairly large family of grape varieties that is widespread throughout the world and includes both wine grapes and table grapes.

Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc is one of the best-known white grape varieties in France. It actually originated in the Loire - but is now cultivated worldwide as the second most important noble variety after Chardonnay. New Zealand in particular has become the second home of Sauvignon Blanc.

You can find information on other grape varieties here.