Grenache & Garnacha: Exploring the History, Styles, and Food Pairings of This Versatile Grape
Grenache. Garnacha. Two names, one grape variety. Some love it from the rugged hills of Spain, while others might prefer those examples from the sun-baked Rhône Valley. This grape variety is a true chameleon of the wine world, as it offers a vast diversity and range of wine styles with so many faces.
The History of Grenache
The Origins: Where Does Garnacha Come From?
The fight for the roots of Garnacha has been an ongoing battle between the Spanish folks who claimed it to originate most probably from Arágon in the northeast and the Italians claiming its origin to be in Sardinia where it is known under the name of Cannonau: Historically both options are equally plausible because both nations are closely interlinked with each other as Sardinians have settled the Iberian peninsula in 800 BC and Sardinia was a colony from 1479 to 1720.
So even though we do not know the exact timeline, what is for sure, thanks to some records, is that Garnacha's presence in either Spain or Italy predates its widespread adoption in France.
From Spain to France – How This Grape Conquered the World
From Aragon (hence the name Aragonez in Portugal), Garnacha has spread across the Pyrenees, finding another home seemingly in the southern Rhône Valley, where it became known as Grenache. Wine regions like Châteauneuf-du-Pape are famous for their unique blends, which use this grape variety as one of their components to result in wines that have led to their worldwide reputation.
How Terroir Shapes Grenache and Garnacha Wines
The key to its success story is the adaptability to different terroirs. It loves warm, dry climates, making it a perfect match for the Mediterranean regions, but it is also a potential grape in times like these where we are exposed to the gimmicks of climate change. This resilience, coupled with an amazing ability to express terroir, results in a spectrum of styles, from light and fruity to rich and powerful.
Spain: Bold and Mineral-Rich Garnacha from Priorat & Rioja
Priorat and Rioja are the two main regions in Spain where Garnacha shows itself from the more concentrated, ripe red fruit side, and especially when it comes to Priorat, one gets a distinct minerality. The slate soils of Priorat impart a unique mineral character, while the warmer climates of regions like Campo de Borja produce bold, fruit-forward expressions.
France – Elegant and Spiced Grenache from the Rhône Valley
In the Rhône Valley, Grenache enjoys huge success next to some other Rhone varieties such as Syrah as it brings warmth, ripe red fruit, and spice to blends like Côtes du Rhône and Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The dominant soils in the Southern Rhône are very rich in sand, which contributes very much to an elegant, more approachable wine style.
Australia: Powerful and Juicy Grenache from South Australia
When we go to Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale in South Australia, we get wines with rather ripe, juicy fruit flavors and a touch of spice. Old vine Grenache has put some effort in from several winemakers yielding wines with exceptional concentration and complexity.
California: Versatile Expressions from the Central Coast
The warm climate of California's Central Coast provides ideal conditions for Grenache, of course, if it doesn't come to wildfires that can destroy a big volume of the production as just recently experienced. In general, you will find different styles with both single-varietal Grenache and Rhone-style blends, nicely presenting the grape's versatility.
The Flavor Profile of Grenache/Garnacha
What Grenache/Garnacha wines are known for is mainly the vibrant fruit flavors, including ripe red berries like strawberry, raspberry, and cherry. Hints of spices, such as white pepper and cinnamon, contribute to its complexity. As the wine ages, it can develop notes of leather, dried herbs, and even a touch of garrigue, the aromatic scrubland of the Mediterranean.
The Youthful Side – Bright, Fruity, and Refreshing
Here, we can expect bright, fruity aromas and flavors, with more delicate bodies and on the rather joyful side not to overwhelm but rather to simply enjoy. Easy drinking red fruit in the glass.
The Aged Side – Deep, Spiced, and Complex
The wines that are aged develop more complex and dense aromas and flavors, with a powerful body and more gentle tannins.
Rosé Wines – The Crisp, Summery Expression of Grenache
Grenache makes amazing rose wines, thanks to its refreshing flavors of strawberry, watermelon, and citrus.
Perfect Food Pairings for Grenache/Garnacha
Grenache/Garnacha's versatility makes this grape an amazing partner at the dining table. The combination of the fruit-forward character and the moderate tannins makes it a perfect partner for a wide range of dishes.
Grilled Meats
The wine's ripe fruit and spice complement the smoky flavors of grilled meats like lamb, pork, and beef.
Mediterranean Cuisine
Dishes like paella, ratatouille, and pizza are excellent pairings.
Spicy Dishes
Grenache/Garnacha's fruity character can balance the heat of spicy dishes.
Cheese
Cheese and Grenache, aka Garnacha, are such a dream team, and depending on what style of wine you are going to pick, it is worth playing around a bit with a few styles of soft cheeses like Brie and Camembert, for instance, but also with hard cheeses like Manchego.
The Modern Grenache/Garnacha Renaissance
Just recently, it looks like there's a renewed appreciation for Grenache/Garnacha. A lot of exploration is going on, thanks to the grape variety's potential of crafting diverse styles that showcase its versatility. From light and refreshing rosés to bold and powerful reds, Grenache/Garnacha is proving its ability to adapt to modern palates.
Key Trends
Old Vine Grenache/Garnacha
What we are experiencing when talking to the younger generation of winemakers is that they are more adventurous in experimenting with new unconventional wine styles, but there seems to be a huge interest, especially in old vine Grenache/Garnacha, as it yields wines with exceptional concentration and complexity.
Single-Varietal Expressions
Recently, we have seen a shift from blends of Grenache/Garnacha to single varietal expressions to highlight the grapes' unique character and versatility.
Sustainable Practices
Sustainability is highly praised. One example is Bodegas Frontonio, where approximately 50 hectares of old bush Garnacha vines are cultivated at elevations between 500 and over 1,000 meters. All this is on rocky clay-limestone soils and north-facing slopes.
By operating from a 200-year-old house with a three-level underground cave, the winery employs gentle gravity-based grape processing and minimal intervention techniques. And the result of their wines is simply mind-blowing.
Why You Should Try More Grenache/Garnacha Wines
Versatility: A Wine for Every Occasion
As mentioned before, Grenache/Garnacha is a true chameleon that can make wines from light and fruity to powerful, rich, and mineral.
Food-Friendly: Perfect for a Wide Range of Dishes
And not to forget its great potential to pair with a broad range of dishes.
Value: Excellent Quality Without the Hefty Price Tag
The price range is, of course, huge, but what is certain is the fact that at a truly affordable price, we can have some decent qualities already.
Rich Heritage: A Grape with Centuries of History
Its historic and cultural significance we have started the first lines with, and now that we have shed some light on this amazing grape variety, we at VinoVoss hope to have inspired you a bit and have made you curious to get a little taste of the very diverse world of Grenache, aka Garnache.
Cheers!
Lotte Gabrovits
