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The new Pinot Noir?
Well, although this very particular grape is not new at all, it’s been getting broader worldwide recognition during the last two decades, with a new generation of Garnacha winemakers in Europe are taking a new approach on the variety. In the recent times, it has also become a trend, and one way for better explain its characteristics to wine drinkers is by looking at an old(er) friend: Pinot Noir.
Like Pinot Noir, Grenache is highly sensitive to soil and winemaking techniques, as well as climate and altitude. Both grapes planted on sandy soils give fresher, lighter wines with more aromas, while red clay ones have longer flavors and more structure. In case of older vines, reds get more intense in flavor.
In the winery, Grenache also requires a lot of attention, Fermentation and maceration are often long, slow and cool; so during the wait, some Garnacha winemakers have borrowed Pinot Noir’s technique of throwing whole clusters of grapes, even stems, into the fermentation tank to add complexity and spiciness to the wine. Additionally, they share skin thins and low yields.
Therefore, we could introduce Garnacha/Grenache the way Bloomberg did: the hot weather cousin of Pinot Noir, due to it tends to prefer hotter, dryer climates with cool nights, and rocky well-drained soils like schist and granite. Another key difference is its capacity to make exquisite fortified and dessert wines, thanks to a late ripening, which makes sweeter wines, such as the Vins Doux Naturels of France’s Roussillon.
Moreover, although Garnacha can –and does fantastically- fly solo; it is often blended with Syrah and Mourvèrdre (better known as GSM blends).
As Christy Canterbury MW recently shared, Garnacha/Grenache is one of two mainstream varieties with three color variants: red, grey and white. Pinot Noir is the other. These two grapes share a generally pale color and softer tannins. However, they differ in where they like to be grown. Pinot Noir likes cool climates and Garnacha likes warm ones. Garnacha has been called the Pinot Noir of the south, but we could also say that Pinot Noir is the Garnacha of the north!
Once introductions are made … Let’s make a toast for this new friend of us!
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What is a wine Appellation?
When classifying and categorizing different wines the methods may be countless, but no one can deny there is nothing that influences more in your wine opinions – no matter if you are an expert or an aficionado– that the appellation system. Especially if you throw yourself to the search of new discoveries, an appellation proves to be very helpful to know how countries categorize their wines into specific grape-growing geographical regions. It also indicates where the wine’s grapes grow as well as the laws and regulations its production is subject to.
The principles of how these wines are qualified and classified vary from one place to another, depending of each country’s regulations. However, in case of European wines, quality can also be indicated by two different EU quality logos. When it comes to EU agricultural production methods and products, there are specific features taken into account. These are safety, traceability, authenticity, labelling, nutritional and health aspects, respect for the environment and sustainability, and the characteristics of EU agricultural and food products themselves (in this case, EU wines), particularly in terms of their quality, taste, diversity or traditions as well as the quality of EU PDOs and PGIs.
The EU quality logos are the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI). Through these quality schemes, the European Union’s Agriculture and Rural Development department attests to specific traditions and qualities of wines, and because of them, consumers worldwide can rely on wines’ authenticity and healthiness in terms of regional origin and traditional production in Europe.
In conclusion, if you are interested in becoming more familiar with your next wine purchase, it could be very convenient to have a closer look on European PDOs and PGIs. To begin with, you can look at a brief summary of the appellation systems from two of the most wine producing countries, including certain appellations where Garnacha (a.k.a. Grenache) shines bright!
Grenache from FRANCE
Since 1937, France qualify their wines with the Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée/Protégée (AOC/AOP) and Indication Géographique Protégée (IGP) systems. There are over 360 AOCs in France and most are within 11 primary growing regions. The French AOP has rules that apply to nearly every aspect of wine production, including utilized grape varieties, minimum alcohol level, aging requirements, and even vineyard planting density, compelling an actual guide for consumers. That is why you can expect to buy a French wine 100% Grenache, just trusting the rigorous –but authentic- AOP code. Some European appellations with gorgeous, high-quality Grenache:
- AOP Collioure (white, rosé, red)
- AOP Côtes du Roussillon (white, rosé, red)
- AOP Côtes du Roussillon /AOP Côtes du Roussillon Villages (red)
- AOP Maury Sec (red)
AOP certified Vins Doux Naturels (Fortified Sweet Wines)
- AOP Rivesaltes (Ambré, Tuilé, mention Hors d’Age and/or Rancio, Grenat, Rosé)
- AOP Maury (Ambré, Tuilé mention Hors d’Age and/or Rancio, Blanc, Grenat)
- AOP Banyuls (ambré, tuilé, mention Hors d’Age and/or Rancio, Blanc, Rimage, Rosé)
- AOP Banyuls Grand Cru (tuilé)
- AOP Muscat de Rivesaltes (white)
- IGP Côtes Catalanes
- IGP Côte Vermeille
Garnacha from SPAIN
The Spanish organize wine with the Denominación de Origen (DO) or Denominación de Origen Protegida (DOP) system, currently counting with 79 DOP’s, among many others or Indicación Geográfica Protegida (IGP) In this case, aging becomes an important aspect, having different rules attached for each region. In general, there are four classifications of aging: Tinto/Roble, Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva. You can enjoy authentic European quality Garnachas through the following appellations:
- DOP Cariñena
- DOP Campo de Borja
- DOP Calatayud
- DOP Somontano
- DOP Terra Alta
- DOP Vinos de Madrid
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BBQ’s perfect choice for this summer
Summertime is here… It is time to fire up the grill! And Garnacha/Grenache is not missing this party at all. In fact, it could perfectly turn into the star of yours, impressing your guests with delicious pairing choices.
Grenache is so versatile that can create a wine style for almost every wine consumer out there, and you can trust it will also play along in your favorite BBQ parties, having an innate affinity with grilled meats. It specially works best with roasted meats, lamb, good beef or steaks and all types of stews and casseroles, game, and even flavorful fish stews.
Here we recommend you a bunch of Garnacha pairings and BBQ occasions so you can enjoy you summermeet ups to the fullest:
Weeknight grilling: Outdoor cooking, bonfire and good conversation. Everything from BBQ classics like burgers, steaks and chops to less typical BBQ fare like pizzas can pair with fleshy, flavorful Grenache based-reds. You can add vegetables and it will be a perfect match, for a casual weeknight meal.
- Pairing tip: a full-bodied Garnacha with aromas of dark, ripe berries finishing with a good minerality, is greatly paired with spicier grilled dishes such as ribs covered with rich barbecue sauce.
Weekend lunch: slow cooking. While boneless cuts grill more quickly, whole chickens do it easier and come off the grill juicy. Make your rich and full-flavored whites the best partner for any poultry. In this case, white Grenache not only pairs perfectly with summer salads or cheeses like fetta and halloumi, but also with pork chops with apples and spicy-rubbed grilled chicken.
- Pairing tip: Your funkiest Garnacha Blanca (white) will make the perfect match with a poultry, or anything served with (or marinated in) an herb sauce.
The sweetest point: However, do not worry, because if you go straight for the grilled chicken choice but you are not a white wine fan, Grenache rosés are your thing! Garnacha rosé may be fuller-bodied and sweeter for your juicy choices.
- Pairing tip: In case of having rosé at the party, bring a bowl of a sweet mango sauce to it!
More ideas from/at:
European Birthplace
As far as the wine world remembers, Garnacha has been known as a Southern European grape, under the appellatives of Grenache in France, Cannonau in Sardegna and Garnacha or Garnatxa in Spain. It was one of the first varieties to be introduced to Australia in the 18th century and during the 19th, wine growers prized the vine’s ability to produce high yields in California. However, how do Garnacha’s roots specifically lie in?
There is certainly an ongoing debate about the origin of this particular grape. While some wine experts locate the origin of the variety in Northern Spain, particularly within the Aragon region, others claim it has its origins in Sardegna, being later spread to other Mediterranean lands under the Crown of Aragon rule.
Some wine experts like Karen MacNeil have stated, in the second edition of The Wine Bible that «a strong scientific hypothesis had Grenache originating in Italy, first as a white grape called Vernaccia, and later brought to Spain (where it matured to form a red clone) and from there to France. MacNeil elaborates, “The Italian connection is not without merit, and however, since DNA typing shows Sardinia’s important grape Cannonau to be Garnacha Tint/Grenache Noir. »
Nevertheless, further testing indicates there is no genetic relationship between Vernaccia and Garnacha. According to Jancis Robinson in The Oxford Companion to Wine and other authors such as Oz Clarke in Encyclopedia of Grapes or Rosemary Radden at Grapes and Wines of the World, Garnacha is an autochthonous variety from Aragon and its surroundings. This hypothesis is primarily explained by two facts: first, it is the only place where we can find the broad range of varieties of Garnacha as a whole (grey, white, red and peluda), and second, recent scientific studies indicate a significant clonal diversity in Spain that is lacking among Cannonau on Sardegna.
This second statement seems to have far greater weight amongst wine experts and the general opinion, who consider there is enough historical evidence about the Aragonese origin of the quintessential Mediterranean grape.
Whatever it is, anyone can deny the versatility of Garnacha, a perfect travel companion who adapts its needs wherever she goes, and an indisputable ambassador of the European quality of wine worldwide.
Last April the 14th, the closing ceremony of the sixth edition of Grenaches du Monde International Contest took place in PDO Terra Alta (Catalonia, Spain). The land of white Garnacha was this edition’s host region and chose Gandesa as its main spot for several tastings occurred from April 12 to April 14.
Grenaches du Monde is one of the most important dates in the calendar for all Garnacha areas all around the world and the perfect scenario of a worldwide meeting of 75 wine specialists coming from ten countries (France, Spain, Italy, Slovenia, Germany, Denmark, Belgium, Holland, China and South Korea) who qualified 839 different wines made from this diverse grape. The wines were majorly coming from USA, Australia, Spain, France, Italy and Lebanon.
This year, 259 references were awarded with gold and silver medals. Looking at the list of winners, we can say Aragonese and Roussillon wines are in great shape. Particularly, Aragon’ Garnachas register a new record, taking home a number of 64 medals (35 gold, 29 silver) 13 more than last year’s edition. PDOs as Campo de Borja, Calatayud and Cariñena were the indisputable winners within the region, not far from Somontano and Vinos de Madrid. On the other hand, the region of Roussillon enjoyed of a great position as well, something already habitual when it comes to get on the podium. DO Terra Alta did not stay with empty hands either, collecting 34 medals.
Before the greatest party of Garnacha finished, Philipe Bourrier and Fabrice Rieu, president of CIVR (Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins du Rossillon) and president of the concourse respectively, announced in Le Nuit des Grenaches that the seventh edition of Grenaches du Monde would come back to the place of its creation for next year. It seems Garnacha/Grenache lovers have a new date to save in the calendar: Roussillon is waiting for all of them during April 17 and 18, 2019!
If you want to see the list of winners of the sixth edition (2018) please follow this link.
Every year since 2013, a unique occasion for celebrating Garnacha/Grenache wines from all over the world takes place: this is Grenaches du Monde, an exciting competition where more than 100 professional judges a wide selection of the grape from diverse geographical indications.
The event, born and coordinated by the CIVR (Interprofessional Council of Wines from Roussillon) takes place each year in appellations focused on Garnacha/Grenache variety. After Perpignan (France), Campo de Borja (Spain) and Sardinia (Italy), this year, it is the turn of PDO Terra Alta (Catalonia, Spain) where Grenache Blanc reigns at one of the most promising Mediterranean growing regions of this exceptional grape. The land of Garnacha Blanca will receive participants from April the 12th until the closing ceremony, on April 14.
The rising numbers from past editions expect more than 800 samples from France, Spain, Italy, South Africa, Australia, Canada, Republic of Macedonia, Lebanon and Greece, amongst other countries.
With more than 5 past editions and 684 wines judged in 2017, Grenaches du Monde has become the annual event to discover and celebrate the Mediterranean quintessential variety: Garnacha (a.k.a.Grenache).
Save the date: it’s Garnacha/Grenache’s greatest time of the year!
For more information regarding the sixth edition and the prescription process, please consult Grenaches du Monde main website: https://www.grenachesdumonde.com/en/the-competition/
(Registrations and sample sending open until March the 22nd).
