Happy Wednesday, you highly refined wallop of wino-sapiens. It’s almost here – THE SINGLE MOST ANTICIPATED DAY OF 2024. That’s right, this Friday is “international Grenache day,” which can only mean that the time has come to celebrate this pedestrian grape variety that actually can sometimes produce quaffable plonk!
It may come as a shock that, while Grenache is an extremely popular variety worldwide (AND AMONG TODAY’S YOUTH), our preferences tend towards wines that aren’t them — we here at Tannic Panic usually prefer a wine that’s a bit less jammy/ripe and a little more structured. Nonetheless, there are unquestionably some amazing examples out there, and we’ve got some great ones picked out for you today: Three 90+ point bottles of Grenache based wines at under $40 a pop. Wawaweewah!
But first, a little background on the variety (unless you don’t wanna, in which case click the shiny red button)…
Grenache tends to show concentrated, spiced red fruits, some pepper notes, and the fruit flavors are often jammy and baked due as a result of generally being grown in hotter climates. Old vines produce wines with more concentrated black fruit flavors and often show more complexity.
Grenache, the grape:
Grenache, also known as Garnacha in Spain, Cannonau in Sardinia, and various other things in various other places, is very widely grown and most commonly used as a component in blends, rather than made as a single varietal wine. It thrives in sunny, hot, dry climates, and is tolerant to drought, allowing producers to grow it in large volumes in areas that are less conducive to the production of fruit for premium wines. As a result, it is a popular variety for inexpensive wines and often produces wines that are ripe and jammy, relatively simple, high in alcohol, and low in acidity.
But don’t get it twisted — not all Grenache wines are inexpensive or low end. Some of the most coveted wines in France and Spain (e.g. Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rioja, Priorat) are made using a large proportion of Grenache/Garnacha in the blends. These wines can have quite a lot of depth and complexity, and the use of carefully selected varieties added to the blend enhance the structure and add layers to the wine.
In some places, perhaps most notably Priorat, there are very old, low yielding Garnacha vines that produce much more concentrated and structured wines, showcasing darker fruit flavors. While Grenache based wines usually do not see too much oak so as to avoid overpowering the relatively straight forward red fruit flavors of the wines, the highest quality examples have more concentrated flavors and often do see some oak, which can enhance the profile and texture of the wine.
It’s worth noting that Grenache wines tend to age quickly (LIKE ME!) so in most cases you want to enjoy them while they’re young. But in some cases, like Châteauneuf-du-Pape, they can hold up and evolve into something even more stunning with time.
Grenache is also a popular variety in the production of rosé, sometimes as a varietal wine but again frequently blended to achieve better balance.
If you want to dive a little deeper into some of the regions that are famed for their production of Grenache blends, check out these previous posts (which also include additional reviews for yous folks)!
Profile: Blackberry, black plum, dried cranberry, licorice, leather, potpourri, violets, band aid, vanilla, black pepper Palate: Dry, high acid, high tannin, full body long finish
This was a very well made “bargain” Priorat with a good balance of black fruits, spices and floral notes, made even better by the presence of a subtle, but delicious “band aid” aroma (THE GOOD KIND!)
Profile: Ripe ripe strawberry (dominant), black plum, raspberry, kirsch, licorice, lavender, thyme, white pepper, wet stone, cocoa Palate: Dry, medium+ acid, medium+ tannin, full body, long finish
This was a very ripe, high alcohol (16% abv) style of CdP that will appeal to those of you who appreciate this super extracted “fruit bomb” style. Not the style I usually go for, but nevertheless, the wine was well made with a mix of ripe red and black fruits, some herbaceous and floral notes, spice and minerality. The high alcohol made the wine a bit unbalanced for my taste, but perhaps this will appeal to TODAY’S YOUTH, and it certainly has aging potential (ALSO LIKE TODAY’S YOUTH).
Profile: Dried roses, raspberry, persimmon, cranberry, dried herbs (thyme, oregano, lavender), white pepper, tree bark, milk chocolate, wet stone Palate: Dry, high acid, medium to medium+ tannin, full body, long finish
This wine paired amazingly with a creamy penne alla vodka with broccoli.
Well, the clock is ticking down to the glorious festivities of this impending Friday, so you’d better hurry on down to the local watering-mart and load up on the appropriate libations.
Until next time, HAPPY DRINKING PEOPLE.
Cheers!
Isaac & Zach
Tannic Panic! is higher in acid than Grenache. SUBSCRIBE!
I adore Grenache...it's one of my favourite go-to summer reds...and I never seem to get enough of it. I also used to joke that the only reason I did wine courses was to taste Priorat again (the same bloody bottle 3 times)...to which everyone reminded me that I'd just paid a ridiculous money and I coulda just bought the wine instead 😂. I adore the grape!
I adore Grenache...it's one of my favourite go-to summer reds...and I never seem to get enough of it. I also used to joke that the only reason I did wine courses was to taste Priorat again (the same bloody bottle 3 times)...to which everyone reminded me that I'd just paid a ridiculous money and I coulda just bought the wine instead 😂. I adore the grape!
Love me some Grenache, the old vine Garnachas of Spain a particular favourite of mine!