The red grape known as Grenache is important to the wine world because it is one of the most planted grapes all over the world. There are tens of thousands of acres across Spain, in Southern France, in California, in South Africa, and as far as Australia. Furthermore, Spain produces the most Grenache out of any other country, and it is also the most planted grape varietal in the Spanish nation. The reason Grenache is grown in mass quantities all over the world is because it is very easy to grow. In fact, the region, in Spain, that develops the most Grenache grapes is the Rioja region. Rioja is located in the north eastern section of Spain, and its wineries are located near the French border. Despite the traditional style of European wine regions, Rioja has seen a massive development in new and diverse styles of wine, specifically thanks to developing new flavors from the amount of incorporation of Grenache grapes. Even with this diversity, Rioja is still the most renowned red wine producing region in all of Spain. For example, in 1985, Rioja roughly contained 100,000 acres of planted grapes; by 2009 there were more than 150,000 acres. What is more impressive is that forty-one percent of all its vines have been grown in the last decade.
For this reason, Grenache helped influence the amount of vineyard development in the Rioja wine region. Today Grenache grows with similar qualities from weeds, and it can grow anywhere that is warm or hot, with little rainfall, which is why Spain produces so much of it. So if this grape is one of the most populous grapes in the world why is it rarely heard of or seen on wine bottles? The reason behind Grenache grape’s lack of popularity is because it is generally used as a minor addition to other varietal wines such as its more popular cousin in Spain, known as Tempranillo. Overall, the best way to describe this grape would be a low tier or middle tier varietal, because it simply will never be as regal as a Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon. This is because of its abundance in certain taste descriptors, and deep lack of some essential complexities that make a well balanced wine. Even though this wine is considered a lesser-quality varietal wine that does not exclude it from popularity, and Grenache is slowly becoming its own grape varietal among experimental wineries in the new world.
From a scientific perspective Grenache grapes are generally grown to ripen late during the seasonal span of growth. It is also one of the most typical grapes used to make rose wines in Spain and France, notably around the Tavel district in the Rhone Valley of France. The reason Grenache grapes are used for rose wines, in some cases, is because the skin tends to lack color, which helps give it the pinkish tint. Furthermore Grenache grapes are also used in fortified wines because of its naturally high alcohol content, which is also most commonly used in Australian fortified wines. The Grenache vine also possesses a strong wood canopy that organically grows upright. This allows the grape to grow in windy areas, which aides in its easy growing patterns across the globe. Apart from the grape preferring hot climates, it can easily grow in marginal wet climates with a degree of resistance to water stress. This durability also allows the grape to have longer growing periods, for example Grenache grapes are harvested well after the Cabernet Sauvignon grape. This longer growing season can generally produce Grenache grapes capable of establishing fifteen percent alcohol content. Although Grenache grapes are durable, they can be susceptible to more grape diseases than the average grape. Diseases such as coulure, bunch rot, and downy mildew can easily infect a Grenache grape vine due to the small space between grape clusters.
Ordinarily, Grenache grapes are usually used as a component to blended wines and this is because of its high alcohol and high sugar content. They can be used to create more potent red wine flavors, or soften big tannic wines such as Syrah. So what are some common tastes, and why is Grenache considered a lesser-quality wine? To start, it is because of its high alcohol and high sugar flavors, which will usually produce an unbalanced wine due to scientific processes that produce the alcohol. If there is high alcohol content in a grape there is usually low acid and low tannin production, which also produces low quantities of malic acid too. However, the grape does produce sweet berry flavors with a spicy component, which is odd considering that it has high alcohol content as well. Grapes with high alcohol content typically have lower sugar content and flavors, because the grape ferments sugar into alcohol.
Consequently, because of its strengths in sugar and alcohol and lack of acids and tannins, Grenache wines are more receptive to faster rates of oxidation. Oxidation is the process in which there is an insufficient or excessive exposure to oxygen, which can produce flaws or spoilage in the wine. This can lead to obscured or unwanted flavors and aromas from the wine, which is why Grenache should be consumed at a younger age than more typical red wines. Drinking Grenache young is opportunistic because that is when the wine is at its best. If Grenache is not consumed in its younger years than the sweet and spicy fruit flavors will decay rapidly. Therefore the heat from the alcohol will begin to increase in intensity thanks to increased lack of balance.
As a result of the quick consumption, the most distinct Grenache flavors are usually jam, pepper, red current, raspberry, fleshy, rustic, and sweet berry attributes. Additionally people can also depict a taste of blackberry, black cherry, licorice, plum, tobacco, barnyard, and earth like qualities. Apart from flavor, the best food pairings for Grenache are usually mild to very strong cheeses, garlic rubbed spareribs, barbecued pork, lamb, and black olive oil. Additionally chicken wings, mild Italian sausage, bean soups, seafood based in tomato sauce, chicken with mushrooms, and cheeseburgers all compliment Grenache. In summary, you should not look for vast prominence in the varietal wine, due to its lack in certain characteristics, but understand that it is a common backbone for a majority of wines across the world, thanks to its durability.
Boyer, John D. Drink This Now! Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, 2010. Print.
"Grenache." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 22 Apr. 2013. Web. 25 Apr. 2013. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grenache>.
Zraly, Kevin. Windows on the World Complete Wine Course. New York, NY: Sterling, 2009. Print.
