Grenache

Red grape variety

Symbolbild: shutterstock



What is Grenache/Garnacha?

Grenache, or Garnacha in Spanish, is a widely planted red grape variety that thrives in hot, dry climates where it plays a key role in styles ranging from entry-level bulk wine right up to some of the world’s great fine wines.

What does Grenache taste like?

Grenache is a generous grape variety, full of spiced red fruit flavours with a relatively high alcohol level. This adds roundness to the palate. It may also carry scents of the local,wild Mediterranean shrubland, referred to as garrigue. Naturally light in colour, Grenache is often used to make rosé. Its character is often masked in a blend. 

Where is Grenache from? 

Grenache is widely believed to have originated in the Aragón region of northern Spain, from where it became widely dispersed around the western Mediterranean, most notably France’s southern Rhône. 
 


Where does Grenache grow? 

Grenache thrives in a hot, dry, Mediterranean climate, helping to make it one of the most widely grown grape varieties in Spain. Despite extensive plantings in Rioja and Navarra, the variety tends to be overshadowed here by Tempranillo, receiving greater limelight in regions such as Campo de Borja and Priorat. Grenache has an even bigger presence in France, most notably the Southern Rhône, where it plays a leading role in the blends of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, but also Languedoc and Roussillon, where it makes the fortified vin doux naturel. Under the name Cannonau, Grenache has a particularly long history in Sardinia. Beyond Europe, Grenache has significant plantings in Australia, especially McLaren Vale and Barossa Valley. It is also widely found in California, although is most commonly associated here with the cheapest styles. South Africa is increasingly celebrating its parcels of old-vine Grenache. 

Famous Grenache regions: 

  • Southern Rhône, France 
  • Languedoc-Roussillon, France 
  • Priorat, Navarra, Campo de Borja, Catalayud, Cariñena in Spain 
  • Barossa Valley & McLaren Vale, Australia 
  • Sardinia, Italy 

Anything else? 

Grenache has two common, charismatic mutations: the white-skinned Grenache Blanc and less common pink-skinned Grenache Gris. 

Our selection of great Grenache

  • Chäteau Rayas, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France 
  • Chateau de Beaucastel, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France 
  • Alvaro Palacios, Priorat, Spain 
  • Yangarra, McLaren Vale, Australia 
  • David & Nadia, Swartland, South Africa 

Country of origin: Italy
Color: white
Taste: sweet
Maturity: 8 to 10 years
Price: 5 to 65 €
Serving: Fish, Venison

This grape variety is also known by the name of:

Garnacha, Garnatxa, Granacha, Alicante Nero

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Guido F. Fendi
Italy
Toscana,  Italy
Rosé Wine
Grenache
Chicca Toscana Rosato IGT Rosé Wine
90
2022 Chicca Toscana Rosato IGT
Guido F. Fendi
Italy
Toscana,  Italy
Rosé Wine
Grenache
Chicca Toscana Rosato IGT Rosé Wine
90
2022 Tramonto d'Estate Umbria Rosato IGT
Decugnano dei Barbi
Italy
Umbria,  Italy
Rosé Wine
Grenache
Tramonto d'Estate Umbria Rosato IGT Rosé Wine
89
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Duemani
Italy
Toscana,  Italy
Red Wine
Grenache
G. Punto Costa Toscana Rosso IGP Red Wine
94
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Madrevite
Italy
Umbria,  Italy
Rosé Wine
Grenache
La Bisbetica Rosé Umbria Rosato IGP Rosé Wine
94
2021 DAOU Reserve Rosé
DAOU Vineyards & Winery
United States
Central Coast,  United States
Rosé Wine
Grenache
DAOU Reserve Rosé Rosé Wine
92
2021 »The Vagabond Old Vine« McLaren Vale Blewitt Springs Grenache
Wine
Australia
Australia
Red Wine
Grenache
»The Vagabond Old Vine« McLaren Vale Blewitt Springs Grenache Red Wine
91
2021 La Bastide Saint Dominique Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC Rouge
La Bastide Saint Dominique
France
Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur,  France
Red Wine
Grenache
La Bastide Saint Dominique Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC Rouge Red Wine
91
2021 Opra Gamay del Trasimeno DOC
Madrevite
Italy
Umbria,  Italy
Red Wine
Grenache
Opra Gamay del Trasimeno DOC Red Wine
91
2021 Chaffey Brothers Lux Venit Rosé
Chaffey Bros. Wine Co
Australia
Barossa,  Australia
Rosé Wine
Grenache
Chaffey Brothers Lux Venit Rosé Rosé Wine
91
2021 DAOU Discovery Rosé
DAOU Vineyards & Winery
United States
Central Coast,  United States
Rosé Wine
Grenache
DAOU Discovery Rosé Rosé Wine
91
2021 Domaine des Pères de l’Eglise Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC Rouge Le Calice de Saint Pierre
Domaine des Pères de l'Eglise
France
Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur,  France
Red Wine
Grenache
Domaine des Pères de l’Eglise Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC Rouge Le Calice de Saint Pierre Red Wine
90
2021 Nudo Cannonau di Sardegna Rosato DOC
Siddùra
Italy
Sardegna,  Italy
Rosé Wine
Grenache
Nudo Cannonau di Sardegna Rosato DOC Rosé Wine
90
2021 Brotte Côtes du Rhône AOC Esprit
Maison Brotte
France
Rhône,  France
Red Wine
Grenache
Brotte Côtes du Rhône AOC Esprit Red Wine
90
2021 YES!
Domaine du Paradis
Switzerland
Switzerland
Rosé Wine
Grenache
YES! Rosé Wine
90
2021 Èrema Cannonau di Sardegna DOC
Siddùra
Italy
Sardegna,  Italy
Red Wine
Grenache
Èrema Cannonau di Sardegna DOC Red Wine
89
2021 Chicca Rosato MaremmaToscana IGT
Guido F. Fendi
Italy
Toscana,  Italy
Rosé Wine
Grenache
Chicca Rosato MaremmaToscana IGT Rosé Wine
89
2021 Rogers & Rufus Rosé
Rogers & Rufus
Australia
Barossa,  Australia
Rosé Wine
Grenache
Rogers & Rufus Rosé Rosé Wine
89
2021 Clos de l'Oratoire Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC
Advini
France
Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur,  France
Red Wine
Grenache
Clos de l'Oratoire Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC Red Wine
88
2021 Naniha
Tenute Perda Rubia
Italy
Sardegna,  Italy
Red Wine
Grenache
Naniha Red Wine
88
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