Grenache (Grenache Noir)

An orphan grape, unknown parentage, yet wide spread influence throughout the world of wine the Grenache varietal being rooted in Spain foundational in Rhône and blended with so many that it just might be as widely common as the American name of Smith and as relied upon as oxygen.

Being one of the most widely planted red wine grape varieties in the world and has approximately fifty eight synonyms that it is known by; Abundante, Aleante, Canonazo, Gamay Perugino, Kek Grenache and Rivesaltes to name a few.

A Connoisseur will be as familiar with and have a kinship with Grenache as you would with an elementary school friend after twenty years.  Wine is not gone when the glass is empty, it lingers into your future with pleasant memories as any Connoisseur will appreciate.

Region

Originating in Aragón, Spain with over 75,000 planted acres, France exceeds Spain with over 88,000 planted acres.  Grenache is prominently represented in the Old World wine regions and as a result of maintaining its presence with respect it has felt a rise in popularity which means that plantings are popping up every year in New World regions such as Mexico, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and South Africa.  A Connoisseur might start with their favorite wines and follow their growth and expansion by picking a region of the world that appeals to them the most.

Pairing

Short Rib Crostini with cambozola cheese and cherry jam would go with a full-bodied, red Grenache, a harissa chicken with chickpeas and yogurt with a light, red Grenache and seafood paella with saffron aioli with a white Grenache.  There are definitely many options but these give you some direction.  Be creative and enjoy experimenting that is what will truly hone your skills as a Connoisseur – mistake and bad pairing are your friends when you are a rookie (eighteen to twenty four months of experience).

Connoisseur Components

When expanding yourself as a Connoisseur remember to look for these characteristics in your tasting; visual, flavors and aromas, fruit, floral, herbal, spices and any other aromas or flavors.  You also want to pay attention to structure, dirt and climate characteristics and lastly barrels.

Here are the Grenache descriptors and structure for Châteauneuf-du-Pape, keep in mind that Grenache also has descriptors and structures for other regions such as Australia.  I will touch on the Australian Grenache in another article.

Your challenge as an aspiring Connoisseur is to connect these with the appropriate heading, for example; Visual would be – Ruby color, slight orange rim (even in youth), moderate concentration.
Where would the rest of these align? Moderate plus intensity, cooked to dried red fruits (strawberry, cherry, raspberry), roasted red plum, blackberry, raising/fig, possible volatile acidity, oxidation, red flowers, dried lavender, herbes de provence, garrigue/wild brush, rosemary, brewed black tea, savory herbs, curing spices, black pepper, juniper, clove, licorice, lavender, powder sugar, dried orange/grapefruit peel, old leather/brettanomyces, large neutral casks (foudres) or concrete vats, although some modern special cuvée styles may incorporate smaller barrels and new oak, dry, moderate plus to full body, moderate to elevated tannin, diminished to moderate acidity, elevated to high alcohol, hot, dry, stony soils (such as schist or granite), moderate plus to high minerality, stony/gravelly, baked earth, moderate to hot.

Grenache also has several blending partners such as Mourvèdre, Syrah, Cinsault, Carignan, Tempranillo.

Remembering Your Grenache Experience

In your tasting of the Grenache you were able to acquire in your local area what did you take note of; the flavor, the aroma, could you taste the dirt?  Is there any characteristic listed in the Connoisseur Components that stood out for you?  Write them down in your journal and create your story of how you became a Connoisseur it will be as unique as your personality and when you share your story you enrich lives.

Where to Go Next

What are synonyms for Grenache?  (Synonyms of a wine are the names they are given in different regions of the world.)

Pick a blending partner and see if you can figure out why they make good blending partners.