Garnacha (Spain)

Spanish Garnacha (Garnatxa in Catalan) is the same as French Grenache.

Garnacha Flavors

Cherry

Raspberry

Strawberry

Black
Cherry

Herbs

Pepper

Licorice

Plum

Oak Added Aromas

Vanilla

Cinnamon

Coffee

Tobacco

Garnacha is known for its aromatic intensity of ripe red fruits such as cherry, raspberry, and strawberry, complemented by hint of spices and earthy undertones.

Depending on terroir and winemaking, additional aromas can include pepper, licorice (anise), and herbs (thyme and rosemary).

Garnacha Profile

Garnacha has medium acidity and smooth tannins:

The wines can range from light and fruity to full-bodied and robust, with a smooth texture and moderate acidity. High alcohol content is common due to the grape's ability to accumulate sugar.

BODY:	Medium - Light

TANNINS:	Medium

FRUIT:	Medium

ACIDITY:	Medium

ALCOHOL:	15% ABV

	Sugar: 5 g/l Serving temperature: 14-15°C (57-59°F)

About Garnacha / Grenache / Cannonau

Garnacha is said to be native of Aragón in Spain (near Navarra and Rioja).

From Spain it travelled to Languedoc-Roussillon in France, then to the Rhône Valley, and then finally to Sardinia in Italy.

Garnacha is one of the most planted wine grapes in the world. It ripens late and needs hot and dry conditions (as in Spain and South Italy).

Garnacha Food Pairing

Garnacha wines should be paired with rich flavors.

Garnacha pairs perfectly with rich Stews, Casserolle, Marinated Asian, BBQ and Grilled Meat.

Tapas

Salami

Ham

Rich
Pizza

Hamburger

Duck

Casserolle

Stew

Pork

Lamb

Game

Meat

Excellent Pairings

Rich Pizza. Hamburger. Stews. Casserolle. Goulash. Sausages. Pepper Sauce. Asian Marinated Dishes. Lamb. Lamb Shanks. Game in Cherry Sauce. Roast. BBQ. Pork. Game. Duck. Roasted Duck with Plum.

Cheeses

Manchego. Cheddar. Gouda (Smoked). Pecorino. Asiago.

Spanish Specialities:
Tapas. Chorizo (Spicy Pork Sausage).
Gazpacho (Cold Vegetable Soup).
Pollo al Ajillo (Garlic Chicken).
Paella (Rice dish with Rabbit, Chicken, or Duck).

French Specialities:
Oxtail Bourguignonne.
Confit de Canard (Duck Confit).

The Ideal Glass for Garnacha

Pick a Burgundy Glass for swirling & releasing the wine aromas.

The shape of the glass captures and directs the delicate aromas to your nose and leads the wine to the tip of your tongue for a better reception of the tastes.

The Burgundy glass was designed for the delicate and aromatic red wine Bourgogne Rouge, made from Pinot Noir grapes in Bougogne (Burgundy).

If You Like Garnacha

You Might Also Like:

Barbera (Italy)

Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo (Italy)

Valpolicella Superiore (Italy)

Grenache in France

In France, Grenache is the key ingredient in:
Châteauneuf-du-Pape and GSM blends.
It is also the most planted grape variety in Languedoc-Roussillon.

Best known areas/regions:

Côte du Rhône AOC (Rôhne)
Côte du Rhône Villages AOC (Rôhne Villages)
Côte du Rhône Cru (Rôhne Crus)
Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC (Biggest Rôhne Cru)
Luberon AOC (South East Rôhne)
Minervos AOC (Languedoc-Roussillon)

Cannonau in Italy

In Sardinia Grenache is named Cannonau.

"Cannonau di Sardegna DOC" contains at least 90% local Cannonau.

Grenache in Australia

Best known areas/regions:

Barossa Valley
McLaren Vale

Garnacha Rosé

Garnatcha's high sugar content and red fruit flavors make it an excellent choice for rosé wines.

Navarra Rosado DO, made from 100% Garnacha grapes, is regarded as one of the best rosé wines in the world.

Garnacha in Spain

Garnacha is the third most planted red grape in Spain (after Tempranillo and Bobal). It is known for producing a range of wine styles from light and fruity to rich and complex. Its ability to thrive in hot and dry climates, makes it a key player in Spanish viticulture.

Garnacha wines are food-friendly, suitable for various pairings, and some have excellent aging potential.

Garnacha adapts well to various soil types, including rocky, sandy, and clay-limestone soils. In regions like Priorat, the slate soils contribute to the grape's unique mineral character.

While many Garnacha wines are enjoyed young to appreciate their fresh and fruity qualities, those from regions like Priorat or old vine Garnacha can benefit from aging, developing greater complexity and depth over time.

The most significant producing area is DO Campo de Borja, DO Sormontano and DO Calatayud, where you find the vast majority of old-vine Garnacha planted in Spain.

Influenced by the mountain chain of the Pyrenees, Aragon is a land of extremes with differents terroirs, elevations (from 400 to 800 m) and climates resulting in different expressions of Garnacha.

Best known areas/regions:

Aragón DO (Somontano)
Catalonia DO (Priorat)
Navarra DO
Rioja DO