Last week, I had a delicious Grenache from V. Sattui. This led me to want to write a new article on the topic. I hope you enjoy it.
Grenache
Where Does Grenache Come From?
Grenache, also known as Garnacha in Spain or Cannonau in Sardinia, is believed to have originated in Spain, most likely in the Aragon region. According to GarnachaGrenache.com, “While Garnacha/Grenache is now one of the most widely planted grapes in the world, its origin go back to Europe in the region of what is now eastern Spain / southern France. Thriving in the hot, dry Mediterranean climate, the varietal soon spread to the south and east, first to Catalonia and then to other places where the Crown of Aragón expanded throughout the 12th-17th centuries (Corsica, Sardinia, southern Italy, Sicily, Croatia and even Greece). In the 18th and 19th centuries, Garnacha/Grenache continued its expansion and spread to non-European regions, including Australia, North Africa and California.”
In the United States, one of my favorite wineries is Tablas Creek in Paso Robles. They are responsible for making this grape and other Rhone grapes very popular. They worked with Château de Beaucastel in Châteauneuf-du-Pape since 1989 to bring in cuttings of Côtes du Rhône wine grapes to America.
What Should You Expect from This Grape?
Grenache gives you aromas and tastes of cassis, black cherry, black plums and raspberry, along with hints of anise, tobacco, black pepper, citrus rind, cinnamon and espresso.
Madeline Puckett of Wine Folly says that “The…cinnamon flavor is what gives Grenache away to expert blind tasters. It has a medium-bodied taste due to its higher alcohol, but has a deceptively lighter color and is semi-translucent.”
A Dry/Sweet Combo
Grenache is a very dry wine. But when you first taste it, you might get the sensation of drinking a sweet wine.
The cinnamon, coupled with the lighter fruit, makes you think that the wine is sweet. Also, the fact that the wine isn’t as heavy as a big, bad red might prompt you to assume that the wine is sweet.
The dry/sweet combo is one of the reasons I love this wine so much.
A Surprising Fact About Grenache
Wine Folly tells us that this grape “is responsible for some of the most delicious and expensive wine in the world.” In Châteauneuf-du-Pape, you can find bottles for $600. In Spain, there are two Spanish cult wines that sell for $300 to $400 And in Santa Barbara, you can find a bottle of Sine Qua Non for $500.
Might This Grape Be Especially Good for Our Health?
National Geographic has been studying Blue Zones for many years. Blue Zones are where people live extremely long, healthy lives. They include Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy (which used to be under Spanish rule); Nicoya, Costa Rica; Ikaria, Greece, and Loma Linda, California.
Dan Buettner, the Blue Zones founder, remarked: “I found this Cannonau in Sardinia, Italy, home to the longest living men in the world. Traditionally, Sardinians drink a glass or two daily.”
Food Pairings
This wine goes perfectly with sauteed prawns, grilled meats, Thai or Indian curries
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