Grenache is a thin-skinned red variety, also known as Garnacha. It can be relatively slow ripening, so it tends to favour a warmer climate. In your glass, Grenache can be rich and soft, or spritely and fresh.
Grenache is usually made by experienced winemakers with absolute passion for the variety. This is for a few reasons:
The thin skins mean she needs more careful handling in the winery. It loses that colour derived from the skins quite easily, which can be quite deceptive when it comes to wines that are so rich in flavour. Thin skins also translate to lower tannins in your glass, making an absolute crowd pleaser. It can also be a great choice for a quality Rosé.
That fruit intensity (the reason we love the variety) can be attributed to it's lower fruit set (the reason it will probably never take up a shelf as big as Shiraz).
In Australia, we are lucky enough to have some of the oldest Grenache vineyards in the world at home in the Barossa and McLaren Vale.
MMAD are the experienced hands of the Shaw & Smith/Tolpuddle team. After finding this special little vineyard, planted 1939 in Blewitt Springs, the 2021 is the first release under this label.
Grenache has been a new project in the works for Tillie J. It came about with Project #5255 - an initiative that promotes Langhorne Creek wine industry by inviting 3 winemakers from other regions to 2 tonnes of premium fruit. It was made with whole bunches, so she's a spicy little number.
Aphelion makes McLaren Vale Grenache look like sunshine. It's a bright, lively go-getter that put Aphelion on the map after starting in 2015.
Thistledown Gorgeous Grenache is cracker value at $26 - the side hustle from a couple of Masters of Wine.
