The air is cooling down and the days are getting shorter, which means we’re ready to welcome the fall season with warming comfort meals and red wines. We tend to enjoy our red wines at any time of year but when the fall season approaches, we find ourselves gravitating to red wines even more, and we’re especially ready to welcome fall with Grenache wine.
Read on to see why we enjoy this classic, yet underappreciated, red wine so much when autumn rolls around.
Grenache: Tasting Profile
Grenache wines are typically dry, and higher in alcohol with medium body, tannin, and acidity. These wines are rich and flavorful with ripe cherry, plum and strawberry fruit flavors and other notes like dried herbs, tobacco, and blood orange. Leather, oak, and other notes of spices like cinnamon and black pepper can be picked up, especially when aged in oak.
Grenache: Food Pairings
When we think of fall, we think spice, comfort, and a nice warming glass of red wine, like Grenache. Thanks to Grenache’s high intensity of flavors, this wine pairs well with the hearty comfort meals we like to cook in the fall that contain spice. Think flavorful stews, slow-cooked meats, mushroom risotto… Also, did someone say, “game day”? Grenache wines are a great match with some of our favorite classic Football season dishes.
Welcome Fall with These Grenache Wine and Foods to Pair:
– Pulled Pork Sliders
– Braised Short Rib
– Spaghetti with Veal Bolognese
– Chicken or Tofu Tikka Masala (chicken or vegan)
– Vegetable Chili (vegan)
– Roasted Eggplant Soup (vegan)
– Spicy Lentil Veggie Meatballs (vegan)
– Herby Mushroom Pasta (vegan)
Grenache: Where this Grape is Grown
This variety is grown all over the world, but most well-known from the French Southern Rhone region’s most famous appellation, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, where very powerful blends of Grenache and Syrah dominant red wines are produced. Although Chateauneuf-du-Pape has made quite a name for itself in the world of Grenache, Spain is actually the birthplace where this grape originated from, where it is called Garnacha. Garnacha is grown throughout Spain, but most concentrated in the northwest region. It’s important to note that Grenache/Garnacha thrives in warm, dry climates.
Other Notable Regions Where Grenache is Grown:
– France (Rhone Valley, Languedoc-Roussillon, Provence)
– Italy (Sardinia)
– United States (Central Coast, CA, Paso Robles, Columbia Valley)
– Australia (Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale)
– South Africa (Swartland)
How to Best Welcome Fall and Enjoy Grenache Wine
Whether you’re hosting a fall or holiday dinner gathering, watching fall football, or cozying next to the fireplace wearing your favorite fall flannel, Grenache would be a pleasurable fall-friendly wine for the occasion. However, to enjoy this wine to the fullest, there are a few serving tips to keep in mind. Grenache is best served at about 60-65 degrees Fahrenheit, just slightly cooler than room temperature. Since this wine tends to be higher in alcohol, serving it at room temperature may be too warm and may cause the wine to be perceived as out of balance. Store this wine in a cool cellar, or pop Grenache in the fridge for 20-30 minutes, then uncork and let the wine breath for about 10 minutes before serving for a more balanced and elegant tasting experience. Letting the wine breath will allow the fruit aromas and flavors to really shine through.
We would also recommend serving Grenache in a standard red wine glass or even a Burgundy/Pinot Noir style glass that allows extra space for further breathing between sips. Try Josh’s favorite Red Wine Glassware Here.
Welcome Fall with these Grenache Wine Selections from WineExpress.com:
Chateau La Nerthe 2019 Chateauneuf-du-Pape (France)
– 92-Pt
– Aged 12 months 50% in small French oak barrels
– 40% Grenache, 35% Syrah, 18% Mourvedre, 7% Cinsault
Chateau La Nerthe 2019 Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Les Granieres (France)
– Certified Organic
– “Pretty classy stuff.” – Decanter
– 55% Grenache, 25% Cinsault, 10% Mourvedre
Vieux Telegraphe 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape, La Crau (France)
– 95-Pt
– La Crau is Chateauneuf de Pape’s grandest cru
– 65% Grenache, 15% Mourvedre, 5% Syrah, 5% Cinsault, 10% other
Domaine de la Bastide 2020 Cotes du Rhone, La Petite Verdiere (France)
– Certified Organic
– 30-Year Old Vines
– 50% Grenache, 30% Carignan, 20% Syrah
Domaine de Fontavin 2018 Gigondas, Terres d’Ancetre (France)
– Certified Organic
– Seventh generation family estate
– 75% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre, 5% Syrah, 5% other
Complicated 2018 Red Blend, Monterey County (US)
– 93-Pts
– Editor’s Choice – Wine Enthusiast
– 69% Grenache, 31% Syrah
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