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Grenache (aka Garnacha) is a black grape variety that has been championed by the French in the Southern Rhône Valley, however its original home is in Spain. It typically has high levels of sugar (and therefore alcohol) and low acidity. Due to its thin skins, Grenache’s tannins tend to be on the lower end of the spectrum, making way for all the juicy red fruit flavours (strawberry, plum, red cherry).
Grenache is often blended with other grape varieties, such as Syrah in France and Tempranillo in Spain. Many are unoaked, but high-quality wines are matured in barrels to add complexity. These will happily age in-bottle developing meaty, earthy flavours over time. You’ll also find Grenache in a lot of rosé wines.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape in the Southern Rhône is probably the most highly prized Grenache, where you can expect more smoky herbal notes in the wine. Spanish Garnacha contributes fresh fruit to the wines of Rioja and Navarra, but the most powerful and full-bodied Garnacha-based wines can be found in Priorat.