Most wine lovers think that Grenache is indigenous to France, but genetic testing has shown its birthplace to be Spain, (or perhaps Sardinia, which was under Spanish rule at one time) where it is called Garnacha. The word Garnacha most likely comes from the Catalan word garnaxa, used to describe a deep garnet color. Spain currently has more than 185,000 acres of Garnacha under vine in Navarra, Valencia, Extremadura, Catalonia, Castilla-La Mancha, and Aragon. The vines do very well in a hot, dry climate such as that found in mainland Spain and in the south of France where there are over 200,000 acres, although cool-climate Garnacha is now making a name for itself as well. Sardinia also grows Garnacha, but it is called Cannonau in the local dialect.
In France, where it is known as Grenache, it is the second most planted variety and is probably best known for its use in Châteauneuf-du-Pape blends. It is grown in the southern, hotter, region of France especially Châteauneuf, Côtes du Rhône, Languedoc-Roussillon, Gigondas, and the Vaucluse. The Châteauneuf-du Pape AOC allows for thirteen different grape varieties, but it is not uncommon for Grenache to account for more a majority of the blend. For a Côtes du Rhône Village wine at least 50 percent must be Grenache.
Surprisingly Grenache also grows very well in South Australia’s Barossa Valley. Here are three of our favorite Grenache-based wines from France and one from Australia, and we certainly won’t forget three of our favorite Garnachas from Spain.
-
Alto Moncayo 2017 Aquilon Campo de Borja Spain
When we visited the Campo de Borja wine region a few months ago we expected to taste a lot of good but inexpensive red wines. Our preconceived notions were quickly disproved when we visited Alto Moncayo and found not only excellent quality wines but also wines that were relatively expensive for the Spanish market. Alto Moncayo was founded in 2002 with the goal of making the highest quality wines from local Garnacha clones and from our visit in 2024 we would say that they achieved their goal. Their Aquilon 2017 is brilliant garnet colored with a glowing violet rim. It has aromas of syrupy Luxardo cherry, dried elderberry, cocoa powder, and espresso that coalesce on the tongue with flavors of anise, black currant, and dried red cherry. Drink now or over the next 20 years.
Buy Now: $180
-
Domaine de la Solitude 2020 Cornelia Constanza Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rhone Valley France
La Solitude has one of the most impressive and oldest histories in Châteauneuf-du-Pape including the marriage of Pope Matteo Barberini’s sister into the family and an engagement a few generations later with the estate being offered as a dowry. Today the estate is managed by Florent Lançon, who represents the eight generation of family ownership. His Cornelia Constanza 2020 is named for the last Barberini princess, whose favorite wine was Grenache. It has aromas of powdered cocoa, black plum, and cassis that transfer seamlessly to the palate with flavors of ripe black fruits, leather, black licorice, and tobacco leaf. Drink now through 2035.
Buy Now: $120
-
Domaine André Brunel 2019 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Cailloux Cuvee Centenaire Rhone Valley France
We recently had lunch with Fabrice Brunel and tasted through 12 of his stellar wines. It’s hard to pick a favorite, but if we had to, we both loved his 2019 Les Cailloux Cuvee Centenaire. His 2019 is a blend of 84 percent Grenache, 10 percent Mourvèdre, and 6 percent Syrah. It is cherry red in the glass with aromas of cassis, blackberry, and saddle leather. The tannins are very soft, yet they support flavors of ripe black plum, black currant, and a touch of forest floor. Drink now or enjoy over the next two decades.
Buy Now: $290
-
Cuentaviñas 2020 CDVIN Garnacha Rioja Spain
The name cuentaviñas comes from mash up of two Spanish words translated as “storyteller” and “vines” to describe this wine as a conduit to tell the story of the vines. The winery is managed by Eduardo Eguren whose family has tended vines for five generations in various Spanish wine regions. His 2020 CDVIN is made from grapes that grow on 100-year-old vines planted in iron rich soils. It has aromas of cranberry, wild strawberry, and finely ground black pepper with flavors of red plum, red raspberry, and black currant. Drink now through 2035.
Buy Now: $80
-
Domaine de la Janasse 2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Chaupin Rhone Valley France
During his childhood Aimé Sabon grew up taking care of his father’s vines and harvested grapes that were destined for the local wine cooperative but in 1973 he built his own winery and named it after the town his family came from. He started out with 37 acres and currently his son Christophe farms 222 acres and his daughter Isabelle is the winemaker. Their Cuvee Chaupin 2020 is garnet colored with aromas of dried Mediterranean herbs, violet petals, and black raspberry. It is full bodied with velvety tannins and flavors of black cherry, black currant, black tea, and red raspberry.
Buy Now: $90
-
Palacios Remondo 2021 La Propiedad Viñas Viejas Rioja Spain
We count ourselves as huge fans of Alvaro Palacios, who makes wine in the Rioja town where he was born—as well as in Bierzo and Priorat—using only organic and natural principles. Grapes for this stunning wine are grown in the eastern part of Rioja at relatively high elevations, which contributes to the enticing aromas of dried orange peel, red cherry, and dried savory herbs. It has silky soft tannins and full mouth flavors of cranberry, pomegranate, wild strawberry, and cocoa powder.
Buy Now: $60
-
Yalumba 2019 Tri Centenary Vineyard Grenache Barossa Valley South Australia
Yalumba was founded in 1849 when Samuel Smith first planted vines in the Barossa Valley but it wasn’t until his grandson Fred Caley Smith traveled overseas to learn new techniques that Yalumba wines gained worldwide recognition. Currently in its sixth generation of family ownership, Yalumba still leads the charge in making world-class Grenache-based wines. Yalumba 2019 Tri Centenary Vineyard Grenache is ruby colored with aromas of blueberry, cranberry, cedar chest, and purple flowers. It is soft and supple in the mouth with grippy tannins and flavors of freshly ground black pepper, cherry, cassis, and red currant. Enjoy through 2029.
Buy Now: $66
