Grenache

Origins and Development Worldwide

Grenache is originally from Spain, most likely from the Aragonese region in the northeastern part of the peninsula. The first mention of this grape variety dates back to 1513 and corresponds more or less to the description of the current Grenache. Its spread in Europe began with the expansion of the Aragonese kingdom, which extended its territory from Roussillon to Sardinia. Grenache – and its variations – can be found in many Iberian regions (Aragon, Catalonia, Rioja, Extremadura, Basque Country, Navarre, etc.) as well as in France (Languedoc, Roussillon, Provence, Southern Rhône Valley) and elsewhere in Europe. For instance, it is present in Italy (Sardinia, Sicily, and Calabria), Greece, Portugal (Alentejo, Ribatejo, Oeste), Austria, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Malta, and Madeira.

Viticultural Characteristics

Grenache clusters are medium to large, truncate, winged, and compact. The berries are medium-sized, spherical or slightly ovoid, with a very frosted, fairly thick skin of a beautiful blue-black hue – though they also exist in white, gray, and pink. They have a melting pulp and fairly abundant juice, which is colorless or red in the case of Garnacha Tintorera found in Spain. Grenache has an upright growth habit, with vigorous shoots that allow it to withstand drought and strong winds. Although it resists powdery mildew, this grape variety remains delicate due to its sensitivity to various diseases (downy mildew, gray rot, bunch worms, etc.). The sugar accumulation potential of Grenache is very high, but its color drops quickly when it is subjected to high yields, and its acidity is low. As a high-yielding variety, Grenache performs better on dry, stony slopes.

Aromas and Types of Wine Produced

Grenache can produce naturally sweet wines (Banyuls, Maury) and very fine structured and aromatic aged wines (Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, Vacqueyras, etc.) provided it is planted on quality terroirs and yields are perfectly controlled as well as color management. If these parameters are respected, Grenache produces dry red wines of a beautiful amber color, powerful and generous. They express notes of red fruits and spices, with rounded and melted tannins. Naturally sweet wines reveal a garnet or tile-red color that can turn mahogany after several years of aging. They express aromas of cherry, blackcurrant, blackberry, and kirsch when aged in air-tight conditions or reveal spicy nuances, dried figs, and empyreumatic notes (coffee, cocoa, tobacco) after controlled oxidation.