Grenache is the most important red wine grape for Chateauneuf du Pape. While 13 red wine grapes are allowed by law in a Chateauneuf du Pape, Grenache is the undisputed king of the Rhone valley as a wine region. Almost 72% of the region is devoted to Grenache, while its closest competitor, Syrah covers about 5%. However, Grenache is not just important to the Rhone valley. Grenache is one of the world’s most popular grapes.
Grenach has some of the oldest vines in Europe. In Chateauneuf du Pape, numerous growers boast vines that are over 100 years old. Those gnarled, old vines produce extremely low, yielding fruit which makes for wonderful rich, concentrated wines with true character.
The grape enjoys worldwide popularity, thriving in Spain, Australia, the Languedoc-Roussillon in France and in America. Several wine makers use it as a stand alone variety. However, it is often blended with other grapes, most notably, Syrah, Mourvedre, Carignan and Cinsault. While most Chateauneuf du Pape wines are produced from blends, there are some wineries that use 100% Grenache, while others feature as much as 90% or more Grenache in the blend. Marie Giraud of Domaine Giraud feels that Grenache can be difficult to grow, but the results are worth the effort. “Grenache is a demanding grape. It can be quite difficult to control. When the berries are ripe, the wines are powerful, fine and complex with a lot of fruit.”
The wine smells and tastes deliciously of ripe red fruit and lavender. Recommended blends: Syrah or Tempranillo, giving the resulting blend or cuvee, additional structure. Grenache can make deeply colored wines with velvety texture and fruity aromas and flavors suggestive of raspberries. Both wines are available in our wine shop. Recommended foods: heartier dishes such as beef, rabbit or venison stew, pork roast, or, my favorite a bouillabaisse. Heavenly.
for more on the history and background of Grenache, click here.
