Variety
RedGrenache
Also known as: Garnacha
The Mediterranean sun grape – ripe, alcoholic, strawberry- and herb-spiced. In the Pfalz an experiment of the climate-change pioneers.
Portrait
Grenache, Spanish Garnacha, is one of the most planted red varieties in the world; its home probably lies in Aragón in northern Spain. In France it is the leading variety of the southern Rhône, especially in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and widespread in the south of France. In Germany it is present only in small plantings, in the atlas in Pfalz, where it is grown sporadically.
The vine buds early, ripens very late and needs hot, dry sites; it is drought-tolerant but susceptible to wind. The wine is moderate in colour, high in alcohol and low in tannin, with red fruit, cherry, herbs and spice. It is often blended with Syrah and Mourvèdre. In cooler sites such as Pfalz it reaches full ripeness only in warm years.
Grenache goes with lamb, grilled dishes, stews and spicy food.
Taste profile
Six axes — acidity, sweetness, body, tannin, aroma intensity and depth — on a 0–5 scale, based on typical style. Real wines vary by region and producer.
Typical aromas — Grenache
These 5 aromas typically define Grenache. Actual taste experience varies by region and style.
Strawberry
Raspberry
Garrigue
White pepper
Liquorice
Grenache aroma families
These aroma categories are characteristic of Grenache. Other varieties have different focuses.
Fruit aromas are the most common and come directly from the grape, ranging from citrus through stone fruit to black berries.
Herbal aromas can be finely aromatic (sage) or grassy – a stylistic feature in some varieties, ripeness indicator in others.
Spicy aromas often emerge from oak aging (vanilla, clove) or with maturity (black pepper).
Key regions
Grenache is grown in the following regions of our atlas. Click to see wineries.
Wineries with Grenache
3 curated profiles in our atlas grow Grenache.
3 wineries
