Gastronomer

Grenache

 

Grenache (pronounce: grəˈnaʃ) is a variety of black wine grape native to France (the Languedoc-Roussillon region of France) but grown widely in Spain, Australia and the United States, it is considered to be a very versatile grape. Grown in hot environments, the alcohol levels of Grenache wines can be very high.

 

Grenache grapes have thin skin and ripen late in the growing season.  Owed to the long growing season of the Grenache it has acidity and tannins levels on the low to medium end of the chart.  Grenache are known to benefit from some of the oldest vines in Europe. Old vine of the Grenache grape grown in stone, which can produce highly concentrated wines that can be aged over many decades. It is the Grenache’s versatility that provides winemakers with many of possibilities for wine varietals.

 

Planted primarily in the south (Rhone Valley) it is a grape that, often used in varietal wines.  In southern France a Grenache-based rosé is one of its signature wine associated with the towns of Tavel and Lirac. Grenache is one of the most versatile wines to pair with food.

 

 

Tasting notes:   Rich, spicy, berry flavors, licorice

 

Works Cited

Kerridge, George, and Angela Gackle. Vines for Wines: A Wine Lover's Guide to the Top Wine Grape Varieties. Collingwood, Vic.: CSIRO, 2005. Print.

Schuster, Michael. The Simon & Schuster Beginner's Guide to Understanding Wine. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1990. Print.