W3 Wine School

Garnacha (Spain)

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

Garnacha Flavors

Cherry
Cherry
Raspberry
Raspberry
Strawberry
Strawberry
Black Cherry
Black
Cherry
Herbs
Herbs
Pepper
Pepper
Anise
Licorice
Plum
Plum

Oak Added Aromas

Vanilla
Vanilla
Cinnamon
Cinnamon
Coffee
Coffee
Tobacco
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.

SUGAR:Dry (3 g/l)
BODY:Medium - Light
TANNINS:Medium
FRUIT:Medium
ACIDITY:Medium
ALCOHOL:15% ABV
Temperature Sugar: 5 g/l

Serving temperature:
14-15°C (57-59°F)

Garnacha Food Pairing

Garnacha wines should be paired with rich flavors.

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

Antipasti
Tapas
Salami
Salami
Ham
Ham
Pizza
Rich
Pizza
Hamburger
Hamburger
Duck
Duck
Casserolle
Casserolle
Stew
Stew
Pork
Pork
Lamb
Lamb
Deer
Game
Filet
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)
Corvina (Italy)
Dolcetto (Italy)
Frappato (Italy)
Gamay Noir (USA)
Garnacha (Spain)
GSM Wines (France)
Pinot Noir (France)
Teroldego (Italy)
Valpolicella Superiore (Italy)

World Famous Grapes

Garnacha

Grenache

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:

CĂ´te du RhĂ´ne AOC (RĂ´hne)
CĂ´te du RhĂ´ne Villages AOC (RĂ´hne Villages)
CĂ´te du RhĂ´ne Cru (RĂ´hne Crus)
Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC (Biggest Rôhne Cru)
Luberon AOC (South East RĂ´hne)
Minervos AOC (Languedoc-Roussillon)


Cannonau in Italy

In Italy, Grenache is most commonly found in Sardinia under the name Cannonau.

"Cannonau di Sardegna DOC" must contain at least 90% local Cannonau.

Best known areas/regions:

Subzones of Cannonau di Sardegna DOC:

  • Nepente di Oliena
  • Jerzu
  • Capo Ferrato

Cannonau is also grown elsewhere in Italy under the names: Alicante, Tocai Rosso, Granaccia, and Vernaccia Nera.


Grenache in Australia

Best known areas/regions:

Barossa Valley
McLaren Vale

About Garnacha

Garnacha is one of the most widely planted wine grapes in the world. The grape is called:

  • Garnacha in Spain
  • Grenache in France
  • Cannonau in Italy (Sardinia).

About Garnacha

Garnacha is said to be native of AragĂłn in Spain.

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

Garnacha ripens late and needs hot and dry conditions (as in Spain and in South Italy).


Garnacha in Spain

Garnacha is the second most planted red grape in Spain (after Tempranillo). 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 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.

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

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

The most significant producing areas are AragĂłn, 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 (400 to 800m) and climates resulting in different expressions of Garnacha.

Best known areas/regions:

DO Campo de Borja (AragĂłn)
DO Sormontano (AragĂłn)
DO Calatyud (AragĂłn)
DO Priorat (Catalunya)
Navarra DO
Rioja DO


Garnacha RosĂŠ

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

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

Wine Region AragĂłn

AragĂłn

Aragon

AragĂłn is located in northeastern Spain between Rioja and Catalunya.

The wines from AragĂłn are similar to those of Rioja but less expensive.

They are generally fresh and fruity and considered to be good Spanish value options.

Red wines dominate the production with focus on Garnacha sometimes blended with Tempranillo or Syrah.

AragĂłn DO Regions

DO Campo de Borja
DO Calatayud
DO CariĂąena
DO Somontano
Vinos DO de AragĂłn

Black Grapes

Cabernet Sauvignon

53% Garnacha
18% CariĂąena
12% Tempranillo

White Grapes

Sauvignon

4% Chardonnay
3% Macabeo (Viura)


Red Wines

Red Wine

Garnacha

White Wines

White Wine

Macabeo (Viura)
Chardonnay


Soil

Soil

Hilly
Sandstone
Limestone

Climate

Soil

Hot and Dry
Intense Summers
Pyrenees Mountains
Ebro River


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