A bit further down south in Spain, Grenache Noir, or Garnacha, produces some alluring, spicy and rich wines like Priorat. At 82 he has only just relinquished full responsibility for the annual Halliday Wine Companion, which rates virtually every wine made in Australia.). Grenache or Garnacha: A Versatile Grape Edwin Núñez, CWJ. Until recently reviled or at best ignored in much of the world, it is the grape chiefly responsible for two of the world's more celebrated reds, Châteauneuf-du-Pape and, a more recent star, Priorat. Spain has more vineyard land than any other country, much of it very old. With these qualities consistent, it will nonetheless produce a more fruit-generous wine at balmier, ower altitudes and a more minerally wine at cool, higher altitudes. A large portion of the world’s Grenache, though, grows in France, specifically in the Rhône Valley, Provence, and the Languedoc-Roussillon region. It's tough enough learning the names of the wine world's 4,000 distinct varieties without having to also learn the unique monikers that countries and regions bestow on certain grapes. She reached for one of the reds and described the dominant grape variety as Grenache. Giles Cooke MW of Thistledown Wines is pictured in the ancient Smart Vineyard. Spanish Garnacha: A blend of Garnacha (the Spanish name for Grenache) and Tempranillo is common in Spain. From hearty meats to truffle infused honey, there’s wine for every dish. A quote from James Halliday: ‘Grenache is McLaren Vale’s secret weapon – not merely Australia’s best, but every bit as good as that of the Rhône Valley’. It ripens late, so it needs hot, dry conditions such as those found in Spain, where the grape most likely originated. It’s the best gift for wine-loving friends and family, and something they will enjoy all year long! berries . It is partly this that has led to a re-evaluation of the variety in South Africa, particularly in the unirrigated interior wine regions such as Swartland, where star performers David & Nadia (the brand name of a talented married couple) have decided to give up other red wine grapes to concentrate on the Grenache that they have seen riding out droughts and heatwaves with ease. The ripe grapes usually ferment to alcohol levels above 15%, which adds both body and spice. Garnacha Tintorera is a cross of the Petit Bouschet grape and Grenache.It is a varietal included in the family of teinturier grapes of Vitis vinifera species, meaning its skin is red (almost black) and the flesh is also red.. Grenache or Garnacha is one of the most widely planted red wine grape varieties in the world. Grenache vs. Syrah . Having just tasted a dozen wines made from the fashionable Grenache grape in McLaren Vale, South Australia, I thought I’d look up what my friend James Halliday had to say about Grenache in his 1990 Australian Wine Guide. We recommend these three wines that have this wonderful spicy and lively grape of Grenache or Garnacha. Garnacha and Grenache wines are the perfect pairings to any meal or tapas party. Part of Grenache's problem is that it is so widely planted. It is somewhat sweet, and its primary use in wine is as a blending grape, rather than being used on its own. Wine can be a tricky beverage to work with; especially if you don’t know a lot about the drink. Grenache wines have relatively low acidity, low tannins and high alcohol, so they don’t require lengthy aging. It also produces wines with a low pH, which means stability and good acidity. 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