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Wine Baby’s Guide to: Garnacha/Grenache

Whether you call it Garnacha (the Spanish original), Grenache (French), or even Cannonau (on the Italian island of Sardinia), this is a great grape to get to know.

There are actually both white and black varieties of this grape, but we will be focusing on the latter (known as Garnacha Tinta, or Grenache Noir). It is much more prevalent in the wine world, and is generally what people are referring to when they simply say “Garnacha/Grenache”.

In fact, it is one of the most widely cultivated grapes in the world! But you may not know that, since not many single-varietal wines are made (although there are a few, and I’m a fan!).

TASTING GARNACHA/GRENACHE

Garnacha/Grenache grapes produce wines that are rich and flavourful. If you are able to find a single varietal versions, definitely give it a try.

You will also be able to find a fair amount of Garnacha/Grenache used to produce rosado/rosé wines.

But you are much more likely to find it blended in with various other grapes, which we will discuss a little later.

For now, let’s focus on what to expect when it’s left to shine on it’s own.

Colour

Garnacha/Grenache grapes are dark, thin-skinned berries with pale flesh.

Most young wines will present with ruby hues, but the intensity of the colour can range widely. When produced en mass, it can be slightly lacking. Old vines and small yields, on the other hand, can really amp up the depth of colour.

They are also quick to oxidize, so you may find that they show their age quickly, with orange and salmon hues.

Nose

Red fruits dominate the aromas of Grenache/Garnacha, but the total range is broad and very dependent on where it’s coming from.

Lighter options will burst with strawberry, raspberry, cherry, red plum, red currant, and pomegranate. With age and richness, those can transform into dried or stewed red berries, fruit leather, prunes and figs.

Touches of black fruit will be present as well, with blackberry, blueberry and plum.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, you might also find citrus notes of orange or grapefruit, and floral notes of hibiscus.

Hints of spice and herbs can also come through. Black pepper, tea, licorice, rosemary, sage, and dried herbs can all be found in the bolder versions.

And if oak is used (it typically is, but that’s not universal), then you will of course find notes of cedar, sandalwood, vanilla, chocolate and clove as well.

That’s quite a wide range! Don’t worry, I’ll narrow it down for you a bit more when we go “shopping”.

Palate

As you can probably guess from the nose, these wines are very fruit-forward on the palate as well.

The most notable characteristic about Garnacha/Grenache is how high in alcohol it can be. The grapes ripen to very high sugar levels, and when fermented dry, it can produce alcohol in the range of 15-16%!

The rest of the palate is much more muted though. Dry, medium body, and low to medium in both acid and tannins. As long as the alcohol doesn’t throw things out of balance, it makes for a very smooth, easy to drink wine.

PAIRING GARNACHA/GRENACHE

I love the versatility of pairing a lighter red. Similar to Pinot Noir, you really can do a lot with it. But where Pinot Noir comes across delicate and refined, the powerful flavours of Garnacha/Grenache mean it can stand up to some slightly more robust fair, such as roasted meats and vegetables, and dishes with more exotic spices.

SHOPPING FOR GARNACHA/GRENACHE

Spain

Spain is the homeland of Garnacha, so let’s start there.

You can definitely find single-varietal wines from Spain, but it is much more commonly found in some of the country’s most famous blends.

In Priorat, it’s one of the major two grapes of their big, bold blend (Carinena being the other, along with a handful of lesser varietals).

In Campo de Borja it creates dense, chewy, powerful wines.

It is also commonly blended with Tempranillo in Rioja wines, but Tempranillo is definitely the star player there.

And in Northern Spain, you will find fruit-forward, lightly floral, high-energy styles.

France

From Spain, the grapes were then brough to France, where they became known as Grenache.

Along the French/Spain border is where you will find the largest concentrations of Grenache, particularly in the Langeudoc-Rousillon, Provence, and Southern Rhône regions.

In Provence, it makes for excellent rosé, particularly from Minervois AOC.

And in the Southern Rhône, Grenache is one of the key players in the classic GSM blends (Grenache-Syrah-Mourvedre). It is also very popularly blended into the famous Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

Italy and Others

Next we jet off to the Italian island of Sardinia, where the grapes are known as Cannonau. The wines here are lighter, with a distinctly rustic vibe of dried fruits and leather.

Australia is also becoming a great region to find Grenache. There are a surprising number of old vines here, which makes for highly concentrated wines with wonderful aging potential. Keep an eye out for wines from the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale, in particular.

And finally, both California and Washington are developing their own new takes on Grenache.