Last month we focused on Syrah / Shiraz and this month we're focusing on its best friend in the whole world: Grenache (France) / Garnacha (Spain).
(This article was written for GrapeBunch, our weekly wine periodical. Click here to read the original!)
(This article was written for GrapeBunch, our weekly wine periodical. Click here to read the original!)
Although it's pretty much referred to by its French name everywhere, Garnacha should probably be its main name because the grape variety likely originated in Spain's Aragon... or on the Italian island of Sardinia (where it's known as Cannonau) and brought to the mainland by the Kingdom of Aragon. The vine's hard wood lets it stand up well to high winds, making it valuable along the Mediterranean.
Grenache Noir, the red version of the grape, tends to be low in acidity and tannin but high in alcohol and big on fruit, making it an excellent blender. So naturally it is the most important grape for the blends in southern France's Rhone Valley like Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Côtes du Rhône, and Gigondas. In its homeland of Spain it's the main varietal for Campo de Borjo and Priorat, while being a major player in the blends of Rioja. It also makes the Port-like French wine called Banyuls, which is absolutely the best wine with chocolate.
In its best blends, Grenache gets together with Syrah and Mouvedre. You'll see sometimes a blend will be called a "GSM", and it's the grapes that it stands for. Cinsault or Carignan sometimes join in or replace one of the others, but it is still what is considered a Rhone-style blend. "Rhone Rangers" are a group that started a movement to get Grenache and its buddies making Rhone style wines here in the United States.
One thing that Grenache excels at is making Rosé! It's the main grape used in the rosés of France's Provence, Languedoc, Tavel, and Spain's Navara.
GÉRARD BERTRAND GRIS BLANC ROSÉ
Gérard Bertrand Gris Blanc Rosé is a blend of Grenache Noir (the red Grenache) and Grenache Gris (the white Grenache). It's a very light pink, super quaffable with a touch of savoriness, and shows bright red berries and herbs.
This article was written for The GrapeBunch Wine Periodical.
Subscribe and geek out about wine with Joey every week!
Joey Casco
Beverage Marketer
Certified Specialist of Wine
Certified Specialist of Spirits
Comments
Post a Comment