A RED GRAPE · CHÂTEAUNEUF
Grenache
Warm, kirsch, garrigue.
What Grenache tastes like
Grenache is a red grape. In the glass it reads as warm, kirsch and garrigue. Grenache is full-bodied, with soft, moderate tannin and moderate acidity, finishing dry. It is usually made with little or no oak. Its home turf, as we hold it, is Châteauneuf, Priorat.
Where Grenache grows
Our appellations table names Grenache in 85 wine regions. The ones with the most wines in our database are Châteauneuf-du-Pape (France), Rioja (Spain), Côtes du Rhône (France), Paso Robles (USA), Côtes de Provence (France), Priorat (Spain), Gigondas (France), Côtes Catalanes (France), Provence (France), D.O. Ribera del Duero (Spain), Languedoc (France) and Alpilles (France).
Grenache is grown well beyond that list: 73 more appellations name it as a main grape, which is part of why one bottle can taste so different from the next.
How the place changes the glass
- Châteauneuf-du-Pape (France): Full-bodied, ripe red blends with garrigue spice, supple tannin and alcoholic warmth; whites are rich and aromatic, a small share of production. Climate: hot Mediterranean, with the Mistral wind and strong sunshine.
- Côtes du Rhône (France): Fruit-forward, approachable reds with ripe berry flavors and moderate tannins; clean, dry whites and dry rosés. Climate: warm Mediterranean with Mistral wind influence.
- Paso Robles (USA): Bold, fruit-forward reds with ripe tannins; Rhône-style blends and whites with good acidity are also made. Climate: warm, semi-arid Mediterranean with large diurnal swing.
- Côtes de Provence (France): Dry, crisp, salmon-hued rosés with bright fruit; ripe, spicy reds; mineral whites. Climate: hot, dry Mediterranean with strong Mistral winds.
What to eat with Grenache
The classic partners are lamb tagine, paella and charcuterie. It is flexible: it sits comfortably beside a wide range of dishes without overpowering them.
Grenache on menus we hold
- Crunchy chocolate tile with Gariguette Strawberry at Restaurant de l'Hôtel de Ville: paired with Grenache Dark Blossom Sine Qua Non (2011). Warm stone, dried thyme, and a red scarf on the breeze.
- Kagoshima Wagyu A5 at Sühring: paired with Priorat Tossal Expression (2019). A terracotta roof baking under a southern sky.
Grenache in our cellar
The appellations above account for about 6,594 Grenache wines in the Sommurai database, which is how we know which regions pour it most.
Grapes to try next
If you like Grenache, these red grapes are worth a glass: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Gamay.
Quick answers
What does Grenache taste like?
Grenache reads as warm, kirsch and garrigue. Grenache is full-bodied, with soft, moderate tannin and moderate acidity, finishing dry. It is usually made with little or no oak.
What food goes with Grenache?
lamb tagine, paella and charcuterie.
Where is Grenache grown?
Our appellations table names Grenache in 85 wine regions, including Châteauneuf-du-Pape (France), Rioja (Spain), Côtes du Rhône (France), Paso Robles (USA) and Côtes de Provence (France).
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