All About Grenache

Appearance

  • Color: Typically a deep ruby to garnet, depending on the age and region of the wine.
  • Opacity: Medium opacity, allowing some light to pass through, with a vibrant and clear appearance.

Aroma

  • Primary Aromas: Stewed strawberry, grilled plum, raspberry, and cherry.
  • Secondary Aromas: Leather, dried herbs, white pepper, and occasionally hints of blood orange.
  • Tertiary Aromas: With age, Grenache can develop more complex aromas such as earth, tobacco, and even subtle notes of mushroom or forest floor.

Flavor Profile

  • Fruit Flavors: Predominantly red fruit flavors, including raspberry, cherry, and strawberry.
  • Other Flavors: Notes of white pepper, dried herbs, licorice, and sometimes a smoky or earthy quality.
  • Oak Influence: Depending on the aging process, you might detect vanilla, caramel, and toasty notes from oak barrels.

Structure

  • Body:Medium to full-bodied, offering a rich and rounded mouthfeel.
  • Tannins: Medium tannins, generally soft and approachable, especially when young.
  • Acidity: Medium acidity, providing a balanced structure and refreshing finish.
  • Alcohol: Typically high, often exceeding 15%, due to the grape’s ability to ripen fully in warm climates.

Join the club

Get this varietal often & more delivered to your doorstep when you join our wine club!

Pairings for Grenache

Grilled Meats

Grilled meats, such as lamb and beef, offer rich, smoky flavors that intensify with the cooking method. The natural char and juiciness of cuts like ribeye or lamb chops make them a versatile option for a variety of occasions, from casual barbecues to elegant dinners. When properly seasoned, grilled meats balance bold flavors with tenderness, often enhanced with marinades or simple salt and pepper. The robust, smoky notes developed during grilling pair beautifully with full-bodied wines, making them a favorite for wine lovers.

cccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccc

Get recipe

Mediterranean Cuisine

Mediterranean cuisine is known for its vibrant flavors, utilizing fresh herbs, vegetables, olive oil, and lean meats or seafood. Signature dishes include Greek moussaka, Italian pasta with tomato-based sauces, and Spanish paella. These dishes often feature bold ingredients like garlic, lemon, olives, and tomatoes, making wine pairings essential to balance the acidity and richness. The cuisine is versatile, ranging from light salads to hearty stews, allowing for a variety of wine styles to enhance the dining experience, from crisp whites to medium-bodied reds​.

Get recipe

Vegetarian Dishes

Vegetarian dishes, ranging from light salads to hearty vegetable stews, offer a diverse array of flavors and textures. Whether it’s grilled vegetables, earthy mushrooms, or sweet roasted vegetables, these meals are anything but simple. The key to wine pairing with vegetarian food is finding a balance between the wine's acidity, body, and flavor intensity. Lighter, more delicate dishes pair well with crisp, high-acid whites, while richer dishes like mushroom-based meals or roasted vegetables complement fuller-bodied reds

Get Recipe

Popular Locations for Grenache

1 2