Bobal has long been the second most popular red grape variety in Spain. However, it remains a dark horse in the international wine scene. It is native to Valencia, a region in South-East Spain that’s known for extremely high temperatures in the summer months. As a result, Bobal is resistant to drought and unlike many other grape varieties, it neither develops high alcohol content nor loses its lovely acidity because of extreme heat.
Due to its thick skin, Bobal wine tends to be medium to deep ruby with moderate ripe tannins. Its aroma bouquet features red and dark fruit: blackberries, black cherries, prunes, and pomegranates, often with hints of violet, herbs, and spices. On the palate, the primary fruit flavors are followed by those of licorice and black tea. The finish is medium to medium-plus with fruit and spice notes in the aftertaste. Oak-aged Bobal can also develop notes of vanilla, smoke, tobacco, and chocolate.
Best Food To Eat With Wine Bobal
Bobal is a very versatile rounded wine with a good balance, which makes it particularly gastronomic. It pairs well with a variety of roasted and grilled meats, casseroles, hearty rice and pasta dishes, and various salads.
Meat That Pairs Well With Bobal
Bobal makes a perfect pair with grilled and roasted meat. It’s not too heavy, so it goes well with lean meat like chicken, turkey, or rabbit. And due to its acidity, it refreshes receptors and balances fatty meats like pork, lamb, and beef steaks.
However, the secret to wine pairing is usually in the sauce, rather than the meat itself. If you are ready for culinary experiments, try some red berry-based sauce with your steak or roast turkey marinated in pomegranate juice. The ripe fruity aromas of Bobal create a saporous combination with dishes served with rich red sauces like pomegranate or cranberry. You can also add Bobal to your sauce as a binding flavor.
Cheese That Pairs Well With Bobal
Following the regional principle, Bobal pairs nicely with semi-hard Spanish sheep cheeses like Manchego or Zamorano. On the international scale, it will go with Pecorino Romano, Parmesan, and aged Gouda.
Semi-hard cheeses are famous for their salty flavors that will complement the rich fruitiness of Bobal. At the same time, the excellent body of wine will hold perfectly against the rich taste of cheese to make a delicious combination. On top of that, the medium-high acidity of the wine will cleanse the palate.
Appetizers That Pair Well With Bobal
You can never go wrong with local specialties. Spanish wines are known to be served with small tapas like olives, potato chips, patatas bravas (Spanish fried potatoes), croquettes, fried squids, Spanish meatballs, or stuffed mushrooms.
Bobal also makes a great pairing partner for a charcuterie board with cured Spanish ham known as Jamón Iberico, chorizo sausages, and salami. You can also add some semi-hard cheeses to your board. Don’t be afraid of the oily or fatty nature of your appetizers, Bobal will round up the flavors with its bright acidity.
Vegetarian Dishes That Pair Well With Bobal
Barbeque style
Grilling brings forward smoky notes in veggies, which makes them a fantastic match to both ripe-fruity and oak-aged Bobal. Go for grilled vegetables like bell peppers, beetroot, red onions, eggplants, parsnips, and carrots. Veggie burgers, grilled tofu, and other meat alternatives offer a more meat-like style pairing.
Hearty Stews
Due to its acidity, Bobal cuts through thick stews and can balance the flavors of cooked veggies and beans without overpowering them. You can experiment with a variety of ingredients including lentils, potatoes, mushrooms, parsnip, and all sorts of root vegetables.
Wine as an Ingredient
If you look at your wine as an ingredient – you can come up with a variety of sophisticated pairing dishes. Red wine risotto with Bobal will support the aromas in your glass. If you prefer vegetable stews, add some wine to the broth and the fruity wine will harmoniously balance your dish.
Salads with fruit & berries
If you’re a fan of salads – add some berries or fruit to support the aromas of Bobal. Cranberries, pomegranate seeds, raspberries, or dry cherries will share common flavors with your wine. If you are into berries, simply take a glass of Bobal with your favorite red or black berry bowl.
Herbs That Pair Well With Bobal
Herbs and spices are essential in Spanish cuisine. Saffron enhances paella flavors, powdered paprika is widely used for chorizo and patatas bravas, and bay leaf adds powerful aromas to slow-cooking stews and casseroles. And Bobal, which has some herbs and spices in its tasting profile, plays particularly well with native Mediterranean seasoning.
You are also welcome to use dried red fruit and berries as additives to your dishes for an extraordinary dining experience.
Food That Does Not Pair Well With Bobal
A particularly challenging pair for Bobal as well as any other red wine with good acidity is artichoke. When followed by a red wine sip this delicious vegetable brings forward a metallic taste and ruins your gastronomic experience.
Be careful with fresh leafy green veggies. Their natural bitterness isn’t very friendly with fruity red wines. If you still crave wine with your fresh salad, adding a wine-friendly protein like chicken or veal as well as tofu or portobello will make it work together much nicer.
Try avoiding vinegar as your salad dressing if you opt for Bobal. The acetic acid in vinegar overpowers the acidity of the wine and makes it flat, almost tasteless. Instead, go for extra virgin olive oil or creamy dressings that pair nicely with the typical acidity of Bobal.
Best Foods To Eat With Bobal
When it comes to food pairing with autochthonous grape varieties like Bobal, nothing compares to the specialties of their native region. Valencia is home to Spanish paella and Bobal works perfectly with a traditional hearty Paella Valenciana with rabbit, chicken, and beans.
Other classic Spanish and Mediterranean dishes recommended for pairing with Bobal include:
- Gazpacho Manchego (hearty meat broth with a variety of game, crisp dry bread, and spiced mushrooms)
- Roasted rabbit
- Moroccan tagine with lamb
- Oily fish (e.g. mackerel)
- Tuna steak
- Rice with chicken (arroz con pollo)
