Grenache (Garnacha)

Grenache (or Garnacha in Spain) is one of the world’s most widely planted red grape varieties, yet the name is only faintly familiar to the majority of wine drinkers. It is the dominant grape in the famed spicy wines of France’s southern Rhône, with Syrah, Mourvèdre and Carignan filling in the blend. Grenache is much cherished, especially in the handcrafted beauties of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, where it achieves its greatest heights. In one of its more affordable incarnations, red Côtes-du-Rhône, Grenache is the quintessential bistro wine.

Grenache thrives in a hot, dry Mediterranean type climate, and Grenache wines are fruity and soft on the palate, almost liqueur-like in texture, with low tannins and acidity. Grenache benefits greatly from blending with a sturdy grape like Syrah or Tempranillo, both of which add tannin and acidity to the soft, fleshy grape. In Australia, these Grenache blends are labeled simply “GSM” (Grenache, Shiraz, Mourvèdre).