Ripe strawberry, spice and wild herbs: the warm-hearted grape of the Mediterranean.
Where it grows
Grenache, Garnacha in Spain, comes from northern Spain, probably Aragon. It loves heat, wind and dry soils, and it is the main grape of the southern Rhône: Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, Vacqueyras and most Côtes du Rhône.
It is everywhere around the western Mediterranean: in Priorat and Navarra in Spain, Sardinia (where it is called Cannonau), Roussillon and Provence. Australia’s McLaren Vale and Barossa have very old Grenache vines. It is also a key grape for rosé, including much of Provence’s pale rosé.
How it tastes
Grenache is generous and ripe: strawberry, raspberry, red plum and dried fig, with white pepper, cinnamon and the wild herbs of the garrigue. It is usually medium to full-bodied, with soft tannin and fairly high alcohol, because it ripens so easily.
On its own it can be pale and soft. Blended with Syrah and Mourvèdre, the classic GSM blend, it gains colour, structure and depth. In Roussillon it also makes sweet fortified wines such as Banyuls and Maury.
What to eat with it
- Lamb tagine: sweet spice and dried fruit meet Grenache’s ripe, spicy side.
- Roast lamb with herbs: garrigue in the glass, rosemary on the plate.
- Moussaka: spiced lamb and aubergine love ripe Mediterranean reds.
- Sausages and stews: a hearty red for winter food.
- Chocolate dessert: in its sweet form, as Banyuls.
- Paella or roast vegetables: with a Grenache rosé.
A little history
Grenache spread around the western Mediterranean during the centuries when the Crown of Aragon ruled from Spain to Sardinia and southern Italy. In the 20th century it was often planted for quantity and blended away anonymously. Today old, low-yielding Grenache vines are prized. In Priorat in Catalonia, in the southern Rhône and in Australia’s McLaren Vale, winemakers are showing how fine and fragrant it can be when grown on poor soils and picked with care.
One bottle to start with
Le Sang des Cailloux, Vacqueyras “Azalaïs” (about €20), a biodynamic family estate in the southern Rhône, or the organic Domaine Saint Damien Côtes du Rhône Villages Plan de Dieu (about €17). For something sweet, the Domaine de la Rectorie Banyuls (about €25) is mostly Grenache.
Good to know
- Grenache is called Garnacha in Spain and Cannonau in Sardinia.
- It ripens with a lot of sugar, so many Grenache-based wines reach 14–15% alcohol.
- Serve it at about 16 °C. In a warm room, 15 minutes in the fridge helps.
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Photo: Pixabay
Prices were checked in October 2026 and can change. Please drink responsibly. L’abus d’alcool est dangereux pour la santé, à consommer avec modération.