Grenache

APPEARANCE

ON THE VINE: Grenache tends to have fairly big, round berries, carried on a bunch that can be quite straggly and loose, yet rounded. The colour of the berries when ripe is amber red, similar to Cinsaut.

 

IN THE GLASS: the colour is fresh purple, rather than dense black, with some transparency.

SMELL

Distinctive black pepper and spice – the cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon of a Christmas cake.

TASTE

Grenache can be quite tannic, with a lean mid-palate.

ORIGIN

One of the world's most widely planted grape varieties, Grenache is a quintessentially Mediterranean red variety. It originated in the northern province of Aragon, Spain, and spread to Rioja and Navarre before being planted extensively both north and south of the Pyrenees, notably in Roussillon. By the 1800s it was well established in the southern Rhône, and there's little doubt that it's the same variety as Sardinia's Cannonau, supporting the theory that the variety came from this island off Italy to Spain when Sardinia was under Aragon rule between 1297 and 1713.

IN SOUTH AFRICA

Grenache found its way to the Cape Colony, apparently for port making, in the 19th century, but it was only in the early 1900's that Abraham Perold, professor of viticulture at Stellenbosch University, confirmed the identity of the grape. The meager plantings are mostly to be found in the Olifants River region. Some plantings in Malmesbury and Worcester.

ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD

It can produce powerful reds whose greatest expression, from old, low-yielding vines, is to be found in Châteauneuf-du-Pape (Château Rayas) in France and in Australia's Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale. In France its clear pink colour has made it sought after for rosés. It also makes good fortified reds as in the Banyuls, Rivesaltes and Rasteau. Known in Spain as Garnacha Tinta, it's particularly popular in Rioja and Priorato, and it fleshes out Tempranillo. Also grown in Argentina, Chile, Australia, Italy, California as well as North Africa, where it's used in sweet fortified wines.

BEST EXAMPLES

Garnacha is used in one of Spain's most revered wines, Vega Sicilia. Well known in the Tavel, Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Côtes-du-Rhône country, Grenache is also a prime component of the reds and rosés of Lirac, Gigondas, Côtes du Ventoux and Coteaux du Tricastin. A UK cult wine is Rosemount-inspired GSM (Grenache/Syrah/Mourvédre). In South Africa it’s used most successfully in blends: Fairview’s Caldera, Guardian Peak SMG (from Engelbrecht Els), Ken Forrester’s Shiraz Grenache and The Gypsy.

AGEING POTENTIAL

Depending on the style, best drunk within seven years.

MATCHING WITH FOOD

The leanness of the wine can make a good partner to a spicy, fatty lamb dish and other rich Arabian and Mediterranean food.

SERVING TEMPERATURE

Best between 15°C and 16°C.