Garnacha, (or “Grenache” in France) is a versatile, thin-skinned red wine grape that is grown all over the world, but puts down some serious roots in northern Spain and the Rhone Valley of France (where it is a key player in the wines of Chateauneuf-du-Pape). With almost 200,000 acres of vine in Spain alone, Garnacha is bottled as a single variety as well as a remarkably popular blending partner to Tempranillo. In France, there are upwards of 200,000 acres devoted to Grenache between the Rhone Valley and the Languedoc-Roussillon.

In the southern Rhone, this snazzy red grape is often blended with Syrah, Mourvedre along with other varieties, where it contributes awesome aromatics, ripe fruit character and elevated alcohol levels (thanks to its innate affinity for arid, sunny locales and late ripening nature). Acidity and tannin are not this particular grape’s “go-to” features, hence the blending protocol that seems to follow it all over both the Old and New World.  By blending Grenache with something stout like Syrah, who lives to offer up both acidity and tannin to a synergistic blend, the perceived weaknesses of the grape will be balanced and bolstered and the strengths (mainly aromas, flavor, and body) will shine even brighter.

Garnacha enjoys chameleon like properties, being made in a dizzying array of wine styles from red, white (dubbed “Garnacha Blanca / Grenache Blanc”), and rose to dry, off-dry and sweet styles, all the way to sparkling and fortified wines (as seen in Banyuls).

Getting to Know Grenache / Garnacha

Color Profile: Grapes snag most of their color components from the skins. Thicker grape skins result in darker color schemes in the glass and vice versa. In this case, the thinner skin of Grenache contributes lighter color pigments with the unblended wine showing a lighter ruby, red color.

Aromas and Flavors: Expect Garnacha to reveal plenty of fruit-forward elements with loads of raspberry, strawberry, cranberry, and cherry in the mix. Black pepper, warm baking spice, minerally elements, earthy and herbaceous character, with a bit of mocha are often found in the mix. With the higher alcohol levels, Grenache often leans into a fuller bodied wine.

Pairing Picks: Made for all sorts of grilled meat themes, spicy burrito and taco medleys, along with hearty fall stews or a simple slab of aged Manchego, Garnacha delivers a ready-to-please pairing personality.

Garnacha / Grenache Bottles to Try:  

Bodegas Ateca Honoro Vera Garnacha 2014 ($8)

Garnacha, a popular red wine blending grape, has built a solid wine reputation for delivering plush, red berry aromas to the glass. Sourced from 80-100 year old vines, the 2014 Ateca rides high with characteristic ripe berry influences both on the nose and the palate.  A medium body carries subtle tannin, forward fruit and warm baking spice. A stellar value from a progressive producer-importer partnership that brings grapes in from Spain’s Calatayud wine region tucked into the northeast corner of the country.

Evodia Old Vine Garnacha 2014 ($8)

Clearly another wallet-wise wine, the 2014 Evodia Old Vine Garnacha hails from a mix of vines, some of which are hastily approaching 100 years of life! Expect, vibrant blue-black fruit and savory spice on the nose. The palate shines bright on a delicious parfait of blueberry, blackberry and strawberry with cinnamon and white pepper spice sprinkled about.

Espelt Garnacha Old Vines 2013 ($12)

Showing an incredible price to quality ratio, this 100% Garnacha carries a heady combination of engaging violet meets lavender, juicy black fruit, exuberant aromas, and some significant weight. Easy to like, easy to drink this is a no-brainer for solid, food-friendly happy red wine.

Louis Bernard Cotes du Rhone Villages 2013 ($12)

Classic, value-priced Grenache blend (with Syrah and Mourvedre), the 2013 promises lovely red fruit, steely minerality enveloped within an earthy character and a dash of licorice in the glass. Feisty and ready to rumble with roasted poultry, teriyaki kabobs or grilled veggies.

Gerard Bertrand Banyuls 2012 ($20)

This Grenache-based fortified favorite from the Languedoc-Roussillon region of southern France, carries immense concentration, a sweet yet balanced style with extroverted aromatics and dark fruit themes. Rich, velvety textures, an obvious full-bodied stature and teasing tannin levels give way to an enduring, full-throttle finish that screams for all things chocolate.

 

Urge to Splurge? Then check out:

• Clarendon Hills Vineyard Grenache 2010 (Australia) $30
• Chateau de la Font du Loup “Le Puy Rolland” Châteauneuf du Pape (Rhone Valley) $50