Grenache

Grenache is the unsung hero of the red wine world. The grape makes delicious single-varietal wines or is blended to create some of the world’s most famous red wines, including the popular GSM (Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre) wines and the iconic Châteauneuf-du-Pape blend.

Full-bodied and one of the most widely grown grapes in the world, Grenache thrives throughout Spain (where it is known as Garnacha) and southern France, particularly the Aragon region and Rhône. These hardy red grapes can also be found sunning themselves in Sardinia, California and Australia. These regions are known for their hot and dry climate, providing a longer growing season and late ripening.

Grenache is often described as fruity, earthy and punchy, with a deceptively light colour and bursting with berry and herbal flavours. They are full-bodied – often over 15% ABV! But this is balanced by soft tannins and a medium acidity that helps highlight the fruitiness and gives the wine a round, lush taste. Despite being typically dry, Grenache wines often have a hint of perceived sweetness due to their ripe fruit flavours and high alcohol content.

Grenache is often blended with other grapes, including Syrah/Shiraz, Tempranillo, Mourvèdre, Cinsault and Carignan. These blended wines are generous and complex, with a fuller body and sweet fruit flavours. The most famous Grenache blend is GSM (Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvèdre), which is made in France and Australia.

Grenache can also produce easy-drinking, refreshingly dry rosés.

Grenache is a red wine known for its bold and fruity profile, loved worldwide for its strong red fruit flavours, particularly strawberry, raspberry and cherry. Some versions, especially when from old vines or when made in a concentrated, oak-aged style, may also feature dark fruit notes like black cherry or plum.

Grenache can also have a spicy character, with hints of cinnamon, black or white pepper, leather and sometimes tobacco, particularly as it ages. If the wine has been aged in oak, it may also have flavours of vanilla, toast or smoke.

The taste of Grenache can vary significantly depending on the region where it's grown and how it's made. For instance, Grenache from cooler climates might be lighter and more delicate, while those from warmer regions are typically more intense and full-bodied, reminding you of heart-warming stewed, spiced fruits and fruit cake.

Famous Grenache blends such as GSM and Châteauneuf-du-Pape are bolder and more complex than single-varietal Grenache wines, with higher tannins and acidity. These blends are full of aromatic flavours such as lavender, sage and rosemary alongside lively dark berries and earthy notes.

Grenache is a food-friendly wine, with its fruity, herbal flavours suiting a range of dishes and cuisines. Its natural herb and spice flavours complement roasted red meat and poultry dishes in the same way dry rubs and Mediterranean marinades do. At the same time, a lower-alcohol Grenache can help soothe the burn of spicy dishes, especially served slightly chilled.

With their more intense, jammy fruit flavours, Grenache wines from warmer climates would be at home with a platter of barbecued meats smothered in a sweet, tangy BBQ sauce.

A GSM blended wine is a good bet served alongside a Mediterranean feast, especially one loaded with charred red peppers, olives and rosemary. Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a particular foodie favourite. It is perfectly paired with roasted, spice-driven Moroccan dishes such as chicken tagine and lamb dolma, where its higher acidity cuts through the natural fattiness.

Discover more tasty food and wine pairing tips. 

Ideally, you should aim to serve Grenache at a temperature of 15-18°C – slightly cooler than room temperature. Serving it at this temperature allows the wine’s aromas and flavours to be fully expressed, offering the best-tasting experience.

If it’s been stored in a warmer location, consider popping it in the fridge for about 20-30 minutes before serving. Then about 10 minutes before serving (when the wine is between 12-15°C), take your Grenache out of the fridge to allow the wine to warm slightly and release those aromatic herbal flavours.

A Bordeaux wine glass is your best choice for serving Grenache – the tall bowl puts a little more distance between your mouth and the wine, allowing those initial alcohol aromas to vanish before you take a sip.