One of the world's most planted grape varieties
Also called Garnacha (in Spain) or Cannonau (in Sardinia). Of Spanish origin, it is one of the most planted grape varieties in the world, a quality grape variety. It requires sunny, warm and dry climates. Grenache produces generous and fruity wines that shows aromas of red fruits and white pepper notes. Sometimes vinified on its own, it is often combined with other grape varieties with complementary qualities, such as Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignan or Cinsault. Grenache is used in the production of red and fortified wines and due to its thin skins (extract less colour) it is preferred grape variety for rosé wines.
Languedoc-Roussillon, southern Rhône Valley, Provence, Corsica
Spain, Italy, United States, Australia, Morocco, South Africa, and Lebanon
In Spain, Rioja, Priorat, Navarra
In France, Châteauneuf du Pape, Côtes du Rhône, Côtes du Rhône Villages
Fortified wines: Banyuls, Maury, Rasteau, Rivesaltes. (Also called VDN natural sweet wines)
Beautiful ruby colour tending towards purple depending on concentration. Gives smooth and warm red wines.
Single grape variety: low acidity and low tannin. Notes of ripe or jammy fruit (prune) and chocolate evolving towards leather notes with age. High alcohol level. Fleshy and heady aromas on the palate expressing roundness and voluptuousness.
In blending: more in the South of France its roundness is completed by grape varieties offering freshness and structure such as Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignan, Cinsault or Tempranillo in Spain.
Grenache is the grape variety of choice to bring roundness and fruitiness to rosé wines.
The colour varies from pale pink to more intense pink.
These rosé wines are often made from the same blend as the red wines to gain in freshness.
Blending is compulsory for Provence rosé wines.
The Grenache reveals its aromas of grenadine and strawberry with peppery notes.
Essential in the production of sweet wines from Roussillon (Banyuls, Maury, Rivesaltes) and the southern Rhône (Rasteau). These are fortified wines resulting from the addition of grape spirit in order to stop the fermentation. The fruitiness of the Grenache is only strengthened by the alcohol.
Colour varies from garnet to amber, even mahogany when aged in large bottles in an oxidative environment (in the sun) before bottling. Beautiful aromatic complexity, the range of aromas varies from very ripe red and black fruits or jammy, to spicy notes, chocolate, coffee, nuts and dried fruits.
RED WINES
Unremarkable, it is the structure of the wine and its concentration that determines the agreement. The supple versions (côtes du rhône) are suitable for poultry and white meats, while the more full-bodied wines made from blends accompany red meats in sauce: leg of lamb, large game in stew, beef bourguignon...
Ideal as an aperitif with cold cuts, carpaccio and raw vegetables.
During barbecues, it accompanies grilled fish (tuna, salmon) and shellfish
It goes well with Provençal cuisine (small stuffed dishes), spicy oriental cuisine (tajine, moussaka...).
Fortified wines that are bottled without oxidation accompany chocolate desserts (milk or dark chocolate).
Those matured in contact with the air, the rancios, marry well with praline, coffee and nougatine desserts. These wines also go well with blue- cheeses (Stilton and Roquefort).
Like Pinot, this grape variety exists in grey and white, but most of the time it is called Grenache Noir. It is a grape variety that is very resistant to drought and can be found in hot sunny vineyards. In France, it is the second most widespread red grape variety.
→ Red wine: If vinified on its own, the ageing potential of the wine produced is limited, which is why it is often combined with other grape varieties richer in tannins to prolong ageing, such as Syrah for example.
Fruity par excellence, it brings structure, power and aromatic concentration. Generally rich in alcohol, it produces heady wines, like Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
→ Forified wine (sweet wine): The addition of alcohol is used to interrupt the fermentation to allow the residual sugar to be retained. This produces wines with a beautiful aromatic complexity sublimated by the House of Lafage, among others.
Depending on the region and country, Grenache is also called Garnacha, Granaxo, Cannonau, Alicante, Aragonés, Bois Jaune, Carignane Rousse, Gironet, Lladoner, Mencida, Navarra, Ranconnat, Redondal, Retagliadu nieddu, Rivesaltes, Rouvaillard, Santa Maria de Alcantara, Tinta Menuda, Tinto de Navalcarnero or Tintore di Spagna.
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