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Getting to know Grenache wine

Grenache is a red wine that’s hugely popular in Australia and around the world. Although it is thought to have originated in Spain – where it’s known as Garnacha – the versatile grape is also a star player in the French and South Australian wine scene.

Grenache is a key grape in some of the world’s most popular red blends, including the famous GSM blends and the prestigious Châteauneuf-du-Pape from France. It is also popular as a single-varietal red wine and a rosé wine.

In this guide, we’ll explore tasting notes, food pairings, serving suggestions, top-rated Grenache wines and more.

How to pronounce Grenache

Grenache is pronounced ‘greh-nash’. This is the French name for the Spanish grape Garnacha. Despite its Spanish origins, it has become a key grape in the French and Australian wine industry.

What is Grenache wine?

Wine made from Grenache grapes is known for its bold, fruit-forward profile. It typically features flavours of ripe red fruit like strawberries and raspberries, along with spicy notes of white pepper and anise. It’s usually medium to full-bodied, high in alcohol and low in acidity and tannins, which means it feels smooth and plush in your mouth.

Grenache is versatile, too. It’s used to make a range of wine styles, from dry to sweet, still to sparkling, and even robust rosés. In red blends, it adds body, fruitiness and alcohol while letting other, more aromatic or structured grapes take the lead.

Grenache grapes create delicious, easy-drinking red and rosé wines and are a key player in some of the world’s most popular red blends. GSM blends, famous across France and Australia, are known for their combination of Grenache with Shiraz and Mataro.

Where are Grenache grapes grown?

Grenache grapes thrive in hot, dry conditions. This hardy variety can withstand wind and drought, and its thick skin protects it from intense sun exposure. Grenache requires a long, sunny growing season to help the grapes fully mature. It is grown in:

Spain – This grape variety is believed to have originated from Spain’s Aragon region, where it’s known as Garnacha. The grape is also popular in Priorat, Navarra and Rioja wine regions, where it’s often blended with Tempranillo. It adds softness and red fruit characteristics to these region’s famous red blends.

France – Grenache grapes are a key ingredient in many Southern Rhône red blends, including those from Châteauneuf-du-Pape. This French region’s warm, Mediterranean climate is ideal for growing Grenache, resulting in robust, full-bodied wines.

US – Grenache grapes thrive in key regions along California’s Central Coast and Southern California, including Paso Robles and Santa Barbara County. They are often used in Rhône-style blends but are also used to create single-varietal wines.

Australia – Grenache arrived in Australia in the 1830s and found a perfect home in South Australia wine regions with warm, Mediterranean-like climates. These areas are home to some of the oldest Grenache vines in the world, thanks to their escape from the Phylloxera outbreak that devastated European vineyards in the 19th century. Until overtaken by Shiraz in the 1960s, it was the most widely-planted grape throughout the country, responsible principally for making sweet, fortified wine.

Today, wine regions like Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale and Clare Valley have all become known for their premium, fruity Grenache wines, both as blends and as single varietals. Grenache is often blended with Shiraz and Mourvedre in the classic ‘GSM’ blend, a style that originated in the Southern Rhône but has found great success here in Australia.

What are the different styles of Grenache wine?

The versatile Grenache grape can produce a wide array of wines, each with a unique flavour profile and characteristics. Here’s a look at some of the different styles of Grenache wines:

Red Grenache wine

The most common style is single-variety red Grenache wines, which are celebrated for their fruit-forward character and light red shade. These wines are typically medium to full-bodied, with a smooth texture, soft tannins and moderate, refreshing acidity. They’re characterised by rich flavours of ripe red berries and stone fruits, plus hints of spice and a signature kick of warming white pepper.

Australia is home to some of the oldest Grenache vines in the world, particularly in regions like McLaren Vale and Barossa Valley. Wines made from these old vines are often deeply concentrated and complex, showcasing a depth of flavour that comes from the many decades of growth.

Spanish Garnacha is often full-bodied with medium acidity, with flavours of red fruit, black pepper and a hint of earthiness. Regions like Priorat, Rioja and Navarra are known for their premium and expressive Garnacha wine.

Red wine blends

Grenache is a key ingredient in two of the world’s most popular blends – GSM and in the world-renowned wines of Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

Although 13 varieties are permitted within Châteauneuf-du-Pape blends, mostly the red wines are Grenache-dominant. They are rich, full-bodied wines with medium acidity. They typically have complex flavours of ripe red and dark fruits, plus hints of spices, herbs and earth.

Grenache is well known for its role in Australian GSM blends (Grenache, Shiraz, Mourvèdre). This style offers a harmonious balance of Grenache’s bright fruit character, Shiraz’s structure and spicy notes and Mourvèdre’s earthiness and colour. These blends can range from juicy and easy-drinking to dense, complex and age-worthy.

Grenache rosé

Grenache is a popular choice for rosé wines due to its vibrant fruit flavours and natural acidity. Australian Grenache rosés vary from pale salmon to vivid pink in colour and offer fresh, bright flavours of red berries and citrus, sometimes with a subtle herbal or floral note. The Provence region in France and Navarra in Spain are also famous for their Grenache rosé.

Fortified Grenache

Commonly found in regions like Roussillon in France, fortified Grenache is rich and luscious. During fermentation, the wine is fortified with a spirit. This process kills the yeast and leaves residual sugar in the wine, creating a sweet, high-alcohol wine. Expect notes of dried fruits, chocolate and coffee.

Late harvest and dessert Grenache wines

These wines are made from Grenache grapes that have been left on the vine longer than usual, allowing them to overripen and develop higher sugar levels. They produce a sweet wine that is rich, concentrated and often high in alcohol. Expect ripe red and black fruits, honey and sometimes a spice or leather note.

What does red Grenache taste like?

Red Grenache is known for its bold, fruit-forward character, although the flavours and aromas of Grenache are significantly influenced by the climate and region where it’s grown.

Fruit flavours – The most dominant flavours in red Grenache are ripe red fruits. Think juicy strawberries, raspberries and cherries. Due to their intense ripeness, some Grenache wines, particularly those from warmer regions, might have darker notes of black cherry and blackcurrant, dried fruits or fruit compote.

Spice notes – Grenache often has a spicy edge. White pepper, anise, and hints of cinnamon or cloves are common. These spicy notes tend to become more pronounced as the wine ages.

Oak influence – If the Grenache has been aged in oak, expect hints of chocolate, tobacco, dried herbs and vanilla.

Body and alcohol – Grenache typically produces medium to full-bodied wines due to its high alcohol content. This gives the wine a rich, round mouthfeel.

Acidity and tannins – Red Grenache wines are usually low in acidity and tannins. This can give them a smooth, plush texture on the palate.

Grenache can produce reds in a wide range of styles, affecting the exact flavour of the wine. Those made in hotter climates with the fruit from old vines, producing small but very concentrated grapes, can be big, jammy, dense and velvety. Those from cooler climates and younger vines, produce lighter style wines both in colour and texture. These lighter wines are fresh, juicy and silky, more akin to Pinot Noir, and its often suggested benefit from being served slightly chilled. Both styles are found in Australia. As always, the best way to get to know Grenache is to taste it for yourself!

What does Grenache rosé taste like?

Grenache is one of the most popular grapes for producing rosé wines, which are celebrated for their vibrant fruitiness and refreshing acidity – perfect for summer. Here’s a breakdown of the typical taste profile of a Grenache rosé:

Fruit flavours – Grenache rosé is known for its bright red fruit flavours. Expect fresh strawberries, raspberries and red currants. Some Grenache rosés might also have hints of citrus fruits or tropical notes, adding a layer of complexity to their fruit profile.

Floral and herbal notes – Many Grenache rosés also have subtle floral or herbal notes. You might pick up hints of rose petals, lavender or fresh herbs, which can add an intriguing dimension to the wine.

Body and alcohol – Grenache rosés can range from light to medium-bodied. They’re typically higher in alcohol than other styles of rosé, which can give them a richer, rounder mouthfeel.

Acidity – One of the highlights of Grenache rosé is its vibrant acidity. This gives the wine a fresh, crisp character that’s perfect for sipping on a warm day.

Sweetness – Most Grenache rosés are dry, although the intense fruit flavours can sometimes give an impression of sweetness.

In warmer climates like certain parts of Australia, Grenache rosé wines can have stronger, riper red fruitiness. In cooler climates, like Provence in France, these rosés might be more floral and citrusy with a crisper acidity.

Is Grenache wine sweet or dry?

Grenache is primarily used to produce dry wines. This includes both single-varietal Grenache wines and Grenache-based blends, which are often combined with other dry-producing grapes like Syrah and Mourvèdre. These wines highlight Grenache’s natural fruitiness and spicy notes, balanced by its moderate acidity and tannins.

The term ‘dry’ is used in winemaking to indicate that all the sugar has been converted to alcohol during fermentation, and therefore the wine does not taste sweet. However, Grenache wines are known for their ripe, fruit-forward character, which can sometimes give an impression of sweetness on the palate.

Grenache is a versatile grape and is also used to make sweet wines. Banyuls in Southern France is home to a type of wine known as Vin Doux Naturel. Here, the fermentation process is stopped by the addition of neutral grape spirit, preserving some of the grape’s natural sugars and producing a sweet, high-alcohol wine.

Another style of sweet wine made from Grenache is late harvest wine. These wines are made from grapes left on the vine longer than usual, allowing them to over-ripen and concentrate their sugars. The wine is rich and often sweet, with a distinct fruity intensity.

Grenache vs Shiraz

Grenache and Shiraz are popular red wines that can vary depending on the region and style of winemaking. But what are the main differences between the two?

Grenache – This grape variety typically has ripe red fruit flavours of strawberry and raspberry, often balanced with warming black pepper and spice notes. Its texture is often smooth and round, with medium acidity, resulting in a more fruit-forward and lighter style compared to Shiraz. Thanks to its robust fruit and spice character, Grenache pairs well with a wide range of foods, from grilled meats and roasted vegetables to Middle Eastern dishes.

Shiraz – Shiraz tends to have a darker fruit profile than Grenache, with flavours of blackberry, plum and dark chocolate and distinct pepper and spice hints. The texture is often more structured and has grippier tannins than Grenache, contributing to a richer, fuller-bodied wine. The bold profile of Shiraz makes it a fitting partner for hearty, spiced dishes like stews and grilled meats.

What are the best food pairings for Grenache?

Grenache, with its fruity flavours and spicy undertones, pairs well with a variety of foods. Its versatility makes it a wonderful companion for many dishes, from light bites to hearty mains. Here are a few suggestions:

Grilled meats – Grenache’s ripe, fruity character is a wonderful match for grilled or roasted meats. Think barbecued lamb chops, grilled sausages or slow-roasted pork.

Hearty stews – A full-bodied Grenache can hold its own against rich, hearty stews, whether meat-based or vegetarian.

Spicy foods – The spice notes in Grenache can complement spicy dishes beautifully. It pairs nicely with spicy sausages, Mexican dishes like enchiladas or chilli or even spicy Asian fare.

Mediterranean cuisine – With its roots in the Mediterranean, Grenache pairs well with Mediterranean cuisine, including dishes from Spain, Southern France and Italy. Paella, ratatouille or pasta with tomato-based sauces would all work wonderfully.

Roasted vegetables – Grenache’s fruitiness can balance the earthy flavours of roasted or grilled vegetables, making it a good choice for vegetarian or vegan meals.

Charcuterie and cheese – Grenache’s low acidity and tannins make it a friendly match for a charcuterie board or cheese platter.

The refreshing acidity and bright citrus flavours in Grenache rosé provide a delicious contrast to the rich flavours of seafood, especially when grilled – try it with shrimp, prawns and pepper-crusted tuna.

What are the best Australian Grenache wines?

Jim Barry Single Vineyard McKay’s Clare Valley Grenache 2022 – Made by one of Clare Valley’s expert winemaking families, this delightful Grenache is fresh, light-bodied and approachable. It’s bursting with elegant tannins and notes of fresh raspberry, plum, blue fruits, orange rind and spice.

RedHeads Princess of Thieves 2022 – This GSM blend from South Australia’s Barossa Valley is made from grapes grown on vines that are almost a century old. Full-bodied but bright, this red blend has dark morello cherry and red plum hints alongside a subtle savouriness.

Corryton Burge Kith Barossa Valley Grenache 2022 – Plump and polished, this Barossa Valley Grenache is medium-bodied with a lingering finish. Expect notes of plum, cherry, violets and musk alongside chalky tannins.

The Black Pig Reserve McLaren Vale GSM 2022 – Juicy, elegant and complex, this red blend from McLaren Vale is made using some of the region’s finest grapes – Grenache is combined with ripe, spicy Shiraz and Mataro brimming with black fruits.

Grenache serving guide

Want to get the most out of your Grenache? Think about decanting, serving temperature and glassware:

Decanting – Grenache wines can benefit from decanting, particularly those that are rich and structured. This allows them to ‘breathe’ and open up, enhancing their flavours and aromas. Decant younger Grenache wines for about an hour before drinking.

Serving temperature – The ideal serving temperature for Grenache is around 16-18°C. Serving it too warm can make the alcohol feel overpowering while serving it too cold can mute the wine’s flavours and aromas. Some suggest lighter styles of reds, including Grenache, benefit from briefly chilling the wine before serving. This does come down to personal preference. Store the wine in a cool, dark place or use a wine cooler to keep it at the right temperature.

Glassware – Grenache is best served in a large, broad-rimmed glass, like those used for Pinot Noir. The larger size allows the wine’s aromas to collect and intensify before reaching your nose. A bigger bowl also allows the wine to breathe, opening up its flavours.

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