Most wine lovers like to share their love of wines with everyone who will listen. Some of us work extra hard to get them to try something different and not to buy the same wines over and over. In the industry, we often refer to the big six grape varietals, which are the three most popular grapes that make red wines and the three most popular grapes that make white wines. On the white side, from light- to full-bodied, these are Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. For the reds they are Pinot Noir, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Today I am going to encourage you to try wines made with Grenache.

Grown where?

Technically Grenache (gren-ASHE) exists as a white grape (Grenache blanc) and a red grape (Grenache noir), which is the most popular and most celebrated. It grows in France, Spain, Italy, Australia and the USA. It is a primary grape in the Rhone Region in France in the wines of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Côtes-du-Rhône. In Spain where it is known as Garnacha, it is one of the primary grapes in the wines of Rioja, Ribera del Duero and Penendas. In the Italian island of Sardinia, it is one of the most popular red grape varietals and makes a wine called Cannonau di Sardegna which is by law 99 per cent local Grenache (Cannonau). In Australia it is one of the grapes, the “G”, in the famous GSM wines where the other two are Shiraz and Mourvèdre. As you notice, Grenache is mostly blended with other grapes.

The taste profile

The taste profile

What prompted me to write about this varietal was the fact that I was recently enjoying Cannonau di Sardegna and C̫tes-du-Rh̫ne when it dawned on me that the main varietal in both of these wines was the Grenache varietal. Generally the wines are medium-bodied wines with medium fruit intensity. Now depending on where the grape is grown Рthat is, in warmer or cooler climates Рthe power and fruit will be amplified or muted. Grenache from France and Italy will be more rustic and herbaceous; while the wines from Spain, US and Australia have to be a bit more fruit-forward and a bit higher in alcohol.

I have found wines made predominantly with Grenache to be very food-friendly. I tried the Cannonau di Sardegna with both Jamaican and Italian cuisine and it went very well with both. I suspect that medium to high- acidity assisted in its food-pairing abilities.

Grenache in Jamaica

Grenache in Jamaica

When I reviewed the wine importers’ stock lists, I found just over half-dozen Grenache-based wines available in the retail space in Jamaica. Here is a short list:

Torres Salmos 2012 — 50% Cariñena, 30% Garnacha, 20% Syrah. Aromatic with pure black cherry and plums, as well as some spice. The palate is fresh and spicy with intensity and generosity, as well as some mineral notes. Lovely freshness and ripeness in tandem. Ripe, modern style.

Torres Gran Sangre de Toro 2011 — Garnacha Tinta (60%) and Cariñena (25%) with Syrah (15%). Aged in oak, this wine was born with its intense colour and its rich and fruity aroma. An intense, ripe red wine, with a sensual background of fine spices in good balance with perfumed notes reminiscent of blackberries.

Sella & Mosca Cannonau di Sardegna — 100% Cannonau (Grenache). Bright ruby colour with purple hues, the aromas project ripe red berry, including strawberry and raspberry jam. Full, round, fruit-forward, and consumer-friendly taste profile.

Chapoutier ‘Belleruche’ Côtes-du-Rhône: This wine is made from roughly 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah. Red fruit aromas, mainly Morello cherries, on the palate the wine is well-structured, with dark red fruit and pepper notes; sustained tannins.

Chapoutier “La Bernardine” Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2013

– made with mainly Grenache, with a proportion of Syrah and Mourvedre. On the nose – Complex but subtle with blackcurrant and plum layered with roasted coffee, cinnamon and cherry. In the mouth — Spice, licorice and both dark and red fruits.

E Guigal C̫tes du Rh̫ne 2012 РMade with 50% Syrah, 45 % Grenache, 5% Mourv̬dre. Full, round and racy. Rounded and smooth tannins. A full-bodied, rich and intensely aromatic wine.

E Guigal Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2010

Р70 % Old Grenache, 15 % Syrah, 10% Mourv̬dre, 5% others

Château Mont-Redon Côtes du Rhône 2014

— made with Grenache 80%, Syrah 20% Fruit- driven nose with pronounced red fruit character. Easy drinking fruit-forward style with soft and supple tannins and velvety texture.

Château Mont-Redon Châteauneuf-Du-Pape 2012 — Made with 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 8% Mourvèdre, 2% Cinsault. Ripe and rich nose with intense dark fruit character combined with complex toasted aromas. The broad and solid mouthfeel with velvety texture yield to a full-bodied wine with great balance.

Do try a wine made with Grenache today !!

Christopher Reckord – Information Technology Entrepreneur & Wine Enthusiast. Send your questions and comments to creckord@gmail.com. You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Periscope @chrisreckord and on Twitter: @Reckord