Garnacha

Tier: Global Headliner
Color: Red
Origin: Spain
Lineage: Autochthonous
Areas of Prominence: Garnacha, aka Grenache, is a global headliner that is truly global. Of course, it is prominent in its home nation of Spain, but its role is arguably equally important in the southern Rhône where it is often collaborating with other varietals to create world-class red and rosé wines. In Italy, Garnacha appears in many varying appellations, but perhaps none as important as Sardinia, where it is known as Cannonau di Sardegna. Garnach/Grenache is also an important varietal in the New World, namely the USA and Australia. When the “Rhone Ranger” fever swept through California, wine lovers were flocking to Syrah, and rightfully so, but soon learned that this amazing and versatile grape from France via Spain was the key to all of the sublime Rhône-inspired blends that were emerging.
Iconic Wines: Spain’s Priorat produces some of the most profound Garnacha-based wines in the world, with Álvaro Palacios L’Ermita and Clos Mogador setting the benchmark. From the same region, Clos de l’Obac and Vall Llach are essential bottles for any serious Garnacha enthusiast. In the southern Rhône, Château Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape is the stuff of legend — a near-pure Grenache wine of extraordinary elegance and longevity. However, we could cite dozens, if not more, red blends from the southern Rhône that rely heavily on Grenache to produce top-rated wines. Closer to home, Bodegas Morca and Bodegas Breca showcase the incredible value and quality of old-vine Garnacha from Aragón. In Paso Robles, Saxum Vineyards, James Berry Vineyard, and Tablas Creek Esprit de Tablas are among the New World’s finest Garnacha-driven efforts. The single-varietal Grenache from Tablas Creek is stunning and shows what the varietal can do in the New World.

Garnacha Attributes

Garnacha Profile

Garnacha, or Grenache as it is called in France and much of the New World, is a tremendous and versatile grape of Spanish origin. It’s absolutely one of my favorite red wine grapes, as it shines in many varied wines. Garnacha’s flavors range from soft, fruity notes redolent of strawberry and raspberry with sweet herbal accents to wines that are dense with black plum and cherry flavors, with pronounced spice, herbal, and mineral notes. The color, too, ranges from light ruby red to deep garnet. It also makes great rosé wines. You can plan a meal around Garnacha by scaling up the flavors to match increasingly hearty and flavorful dishes.

While Garnacha is native to Spain, more acres are planted in France. Spain is second in the world concerning total Garnacha acreage, with Italy in third (more on Italian Garnacha in a moment). However, Spain is on the rise again, as many Garnacha vineyards were replanted with Tempranillo in the 1980s in Rioja, but that trend is being reversed. Many producers are rediscovering that even their Tempranillo-based wines are better and more complex when a healthy dose of Garnacha is added.

In France, Grenache is a key varietal in the southern Rhône, like its Spanish sibling Mourvèdre, where it is an important grape in the world-famous Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Further south, Grenache is an important varietal in Provence, especially in the region’s famous rosé wines.

Italy is becoming a hot spot for Garnacha, especially on the isle of Sardinia (Sardegna), where Garnacha is known as Cannonau. Cannonau di Sardegna is the most famous of the Garnacha DOC wines from Italy and the easiest example to find on American and other export store shelves.

Aromatics and Flavors: Black Plum, Strawberry, Dried Herbs, Red Currant, Leather, and Wild Berries
Wine Types: Red, Rosé, and Sweet

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