Grenache Gains Traction
No matter where it's grown, Grenache (or Garnacha...but more on that later) has seen an uptick in popularity in recent years. No wonder: the wines made from the Grenache grape variety are some of the most generous, expressive, and utterly delicious reds and rosés around. Here is a closer look at what makes the grape so special.
What kind of wine is Grenache?
So what is Grenache? Grenache is the name of a grape variety from which a wine of the same name is produced. It’s a key blending component in the wines of the Southern Rhône Valley in France, in the wines from Rioja in Spain (where it is called Garnacha), and it plays essential roles in the wine regions of countries around the world, including Australia (McLaren Vale), the United States (California’s Central Coast), and elsewhere.
Where does Grenache come from?
Because Grenache is grown so widely, it’s possible to buy wines based on Grenache, or that have Grenache in its blend, from the proverbial four corners of the wine world.
How is Grenache made?
Grenache is made the same way as all other still wines—the grapes are harvested and then pressed, the juice is fermented, and the resulting wine is either aged or not before bottling. But because Grenache is such an important blending component, it’s often combined with other grape varieties either before fermentation, after fermentation but before aging, or after the wine has been fermented and aged. This blending is determined by the producer.
What are popular brands of Grenache?
There are many popular brands of Grenache, and whether you're looking for a Grenache wine, a Garnacha wine, a Grenache rosé, a Grenache Syrah blend, a Grenache noir (which is red Grenache), a white Grenache (which also goes by the names Grenache Blanc or Garnacha Blanca), or simply a standard bottle of Grenache red wine, your options are limitless. Some of the most popular brands across those categories are Orin Swift / Department 66, Notorious Pink, Joel Gott Grenache, Yellow Tail, Yangarra Grenache, Lafage Nicolas Grenache, San Gregorio, Honoro Vera, Pallas, and Austin Hope, and many others.
What food goes well with Grenache?
Red Grenache tends to have expressive cherry flavors, as well as a hint of Mediterranean herbs and spices, which makes it excellent alongside grilled meats and heartier fish, like salmon, especially with cooked over an open flame, which caramelizes the flesh. Rhône-style red blends, in which Syrah and often Mourvèdre are typically blended with the Grenache, amp up the spiciness of the wine, which makes them perfect with a juicy hamburger or pepper-crusted steak. Many people enjoy Grenache-based wines alongside dark chocolate. White Grenache and Grenache rosé reward more delicate food pairings, like steamed seafood or sautéed fish, and they also taste fantastic alongside fresh vegetables, as in a pasta primavera.
What is the difference between Grenache and Garnacha?
The only real difference is the name: Grenache is what it's called in France (and most of the rest of the world), and Garnacha is the Spanish word for the same grape. Any other differences between wines labeled with one term or the other are mainly a result of the land in which it's been grown and the decisions made by the winemaker.
Is Grenache a dense wine?
Generally speaking, Grenache is not a dense wine. It can occasionally have a bit more alcohol than some other wines, which can make it feel richer on the palate. Still, there’s nothing inherently heavier about Grenache than any other grape variety.
Do you chill Grenache wine?
If you're enjoying a white Grenache or a Grenache rosé, then yes, you should chill the bottle. For red Grenache wines, serving it at a bit cooler than room temperature—a 15-minute stint in the fridge is usually perfect—will allow the fruit and spice to express themselves in as fresh a manner as possible without making the tannins taste overly astringent in any way.
Is Grenache full-bodied?
It can be, especially when it’s grown in certain parts of Châteauneuf-du-Pape in the Southern Rhône Valley of France, or the bright sunshine of California’s Central Coast. Still, there is nothing about Grenache that is inherently full-bodied. Most are reliably medium-bodied.
Is Grenache dry or sweet?
In general, more Grenache wines are dry, but there are certainly some bottles available that are made in a slightly sweeter style, which fans tend to enjoy because of how nicely those cherry-fruit flavors come out.
What cheese goes with Grenache?
White Grenache is a fantastic pairing partner for Manchego cheese from Spain. When it comes to red Grenache wines, aged cheddar is excellent with it, as is a mature Gruyère, especially if it's evolved for long enough that the cheese has taken on its telltale caramel notes. Grenache, because of its moderate tannins, balanced acidity, and expressive fruit character, tends to work very well with a wide assortment of cheeses.
Browse our full selection of Grenache online or check out our selection of highly-rated Grenache for a great new Grenache to try this week!
Want to learn more about Grenache?
Visit our Guide to Grenache to learn more about Grenache.
