Grenache
Grenache is the fourth most planted variety in the world, and the first most planted in Spain, where it is known as Garnacha. Early-budding and late-ripening, Grenache is notorious for producing round, high alcohol wines if not planted in the right areas or cropped back. It loves the Mediterranean climate. In sandy, devigorated soil or where the vines are old (up to 50 years and more) it has the potential to produce high quality wines.
In Spain it plays a role in Rioja, rounding out the Tempranillo. It is blended sometimes with international varietal Cabernet Sauvignon in Priorato, but the many old vines plantings there are now being cherished and recognized for their worth. Most consider the wines from these old vine Priorat plantings, such as Alvaro Palacios L’Ermita and Finca Dofi, the benchmark for the world. In Navarra, Garnacha is often bottled as an excellent value single varietal, especially as Rosado.
In France, it appears all over the southern Rhône adding richness and strawberry notes to Chateauneuf du Pape and Cotes du Rhone wines. Further south it makes luscious, rich, fortified wines in Maury and Banyuls, part of the Languedoc Roussillon, as well as the ubiquitous Rosé de Provence.
In Sardegna, Italy, Garnacha is mistakenly called Cannonau. It turns out the Spaniards arrived thousands of year after the discovery of their grape. Australia in specializes in GSMs, Grenache blended with two other grapes from the south of France, the Syrah of Hermitage and the Mourvèdre of Bandol. Better Australian single varietal versions are deeply colored and brooding. California has a wide variety of styles; the grape is most often used there as a blending grape in Rhone style wines all throughout the state, and since the 1850’s has been planted for every day table wine in the Central Valley.
Grenache produces soft, velvety, high alcohol, low acid wines with sweet, ripe berry notes and occasionally a note of dried herbs.
Best
Alvaro Palacios L’Ermita Priorat (Spain)
Alvaro Palacios Finca Dofi Priorat (Spain)
Costers del Siurana Dolc de L’Obac Priorat (Spain)
Costers De Mas Igneus Priorat (Spain)
Contino Graciano Rioja (Spain)
Chateau Rayas Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rhône Valley (France)
Les Clos de Paulilles Banyuls Rimage Languedoc Roussillon (France)
Rusden Grenache Barossa South Australia (Australia)
Torbreck Les Amis Barossa Valley South Australia (Australia)
Bonny Doon Vineyard Grenache Rancho Solo Monterey California (USA)
Unti Grenache Dry Creek Valley California (USA)
Best Value
Turkey Flat Grenache Barossa Valley (Australia)
McDowell Grenache Rose Mendocino California (USA)
© Copyright 2014 Master Sommelier Catherine Fallis, Planet Grape LLC. All Rights Reserved.
