The French call it Grenache Noir and the Spanish call it Garnacha. This sun-loving grape is one of the world’s most widely planted grapes, especially popular around the Mediterranean, but it has also found fortune in the US and Australia
In the Southern Rhône Valley in France, Grenache Noir is often blended with Mourvèdre and Syrah, but it is probably best known as one of the principal grapes in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, comprising 70 percent of the blend. But this vigorous variety is also an important component in Gigondas and Vacqueras wines.
A bit further down south in Spain, Grenache Noir, or Garnacha, produces some alluring, spicy and rich wines like Priorat. Here it is often used as an excellent blending partner with Tempranillo.
Depending on where it is grown, it can display high concentrations of fruit, tannin and acids, where the flavors and aromas usually include spice, currant, cherry, black pepper and licorice.