GRENACHE

Grenache is a somewhat underappreciated star in the realm of red wines. It’s instrumental in crafting splendid single-varietal wines as well as contributing to premium wine blends. Its presence significantly defines wines such as the well-loved GSM (Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre) blend and the distinguished Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

Grenache is widely grown around the world, with notable success in Spain and Southern France, especially in regions such as Aragon and the Rhône Valley. It also thrives in sunny areas such as Sardinia, California and Australia due to their long, hot and dry growing seasons that promote late ripening.

Grenache is a versatile grape that is grown in several regions around the world. Here are some of the key places where it thrives:

• Spain – Known as Garnacha in Spain, it is widely grown, particularly in the Aragon and Navarra regions.

• Southern France – It is one of the main grapes in the Rhône Valley, including in the notable Châteauneuf-du-Pape blend. It's also grown in Languedoc-Roussillon.

• Italy – In Sardinia, Italy, where it is known as Cannonau, it’s used to produce robust, full-bodied wines.

• United States – In the US, it is primarily grown in California, especially in the Central Coast and San Joaquin Valley.

It is also grown in smaller quantities in regions like South Africa and Argentina.

Grenache is an important grape in Australia and is often blended with Shiraz and Mourvèdre. It’s mainly grown in Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale:

• Barossa Valley, South Australia – Barossa is famous for its old vine Grenache, producing rich and intense wines. The warm climate of the Barossa Valley is ideal for the Grenache grape, allowing it to fully ripen and develop a deep, robust flavour profile.

• McLaren Vale, South Australia – another key region for Grenache in Australia. The Mediterranean climate here is perfect for Grenache, yielding wines often praised for their elegance and balance. McLaren Vale Grenache typically exhibits a mix of ripe fruit and savoury earthiness.

• Clare Valley, South Australia – While not as famous as Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale for Grenache, Clare Valley does produce some notable Grenache wines. The slightly cooler climate in this region can lead to Grenache wines with a bit more acidity and freshness.

Grenache is a fruity and earthy wine with a light colour. Despite its high alcohol content, often over 15% ABV, it’s balanced by soft tannins and medium acidity. This balance helps to bring out the fruity flavours and gives the wine a rounded taste. Although dry, Grenache wines can seem slightly sweet because of their ripe fruit flavours and high alcohol.

It’s commonly blended with other grape types, such as Syrah/Shiraz, Tempranillo, Mourvèdre, Cinsault and Carignan, resulting in complex wines with a fuller body and fruit flavours. The well-known GSM blend (Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvèdre) is produced in France and Australia.

Grenache can also be made into dry rosés that are straightforward and refreshing.

Grenache is famous for its intense fruity taste. The red wine is known for its flavours of strawberry, raspberry and cherry. It can also reveal dark fruit flavours such as black cherry or plum when oak-aged.

Grenache can also have spicy flavours, such as cinnamon and pepper, as well as leather and tobacco, especially as it ages. If the wine has been aged in oak, it might have added vanilla, toast or smoke flavours.

The taste of Grenache can vary depending on where it’s grown and how it’s made. For instance, Grenache from cooler regions might present lighter, more delicate characteristics, while those from warmer locales are often more full-bodied and intense, evoking comforting images of stewed, spiced fruits and fruit cake.

Grenache blends, such as GSM and Châteauneuf-du-Pape, are highly regarded for their rich and complex taste. Compared to single-varietal Grenache wines, these blends are distinguished by higher tannins and acidity. Abundant aromatic flavours, such as lavender, sage and rosemary, lively dark berries, and earthy undertones characterise them.

Grenache and Shiraz, also known as Syrah, are two different red grape varieties, each producing distinctive styles of wine.

Grenache comes from Spain but is widely grown in Australia and the United States. Grenache wines are typically high in alcohol and low in acidity, embodying red fruit flavours like strawberry and cherry. They may also present hints of white pepper and, as they age, more complex notes such as leather and tar.

Shiraz originates from the Rhône region of France but now has a substantial presence in Australia. These wines are often full-bodied, featuring robust black fruit flavours, such as blackberry, and an intriguing spice note, particularly black pepper, with occasional hints of chocolate.

Grenache is a versatile wine that pairs well with various dishes. Its fruity and herbal taste complements roasted red meats and poultry in a similar way dry rubs and Mediterranean marinades do.

Grenache with lower alcohol content can balance spicy dishes, especially when served slightly chilled. If you’re serving barbecued meats with a sweet and tangy BBQ sauce, a Grenache from warmer climates, known for its strong fruit flavours, could be a good match.

A GSM blend goes well with Mediterranean food, particularly dishes with charred red peppers, olives, and rosemary. Châteauneuf-du-Pape, a well-regarded Grenache blend, pairs well with spice-heavy Moroccan dishes like chicken tagine and lamb dolma, as its higher acidity balances the dishes’ richness.

Grenache is best enjoyed at a temperature of around 15-18°C – a bit chillier than typical room temperature.

If your Grenache has been kept in a relatively warm place, you might want to put it in the fridge for roughly 20-30 minutes before serving. Then, about 10 minutes before you intend to serve it (when the wine has cooled to 12-15°C), take your Grenache out to slightly warm up and allow it to release its distinct herbal notes.

Serve your Grenache in a Bordeaux wine glass to help diffuse the initial alcohol aromas before you take a sip.