The Garnacha
Grape
Known as Grenache in France, Garnacha is a red grape variety that originated in Spain and is widely planted in both Spain and the south of France. It produces warm, spicy, and berry-flavored wines that can vary from light and fruity to deep, complex, and full-bodied, often used in blends to add body and sweetness.
Garnacha
Grape History
The wine grape Garnacha, also known as Grenache in France, is one of the world's most widely planted red grape varieties. Its history dates back to ancient times, believed to have originated in the region of Aragon in Spain and then spread throughout the Mediterranean, particularly in France where it is widely cultivated in the Southern Rhône and Languedoc regions.
Garnacha's history can be traced back to the Kingdom of Aragon in the 12th century when it was referred to as "Cannonau" in Sardinia. This grape variety thrived in the warm and dry climate of the Mediterranean, producing full-bodied and high alcohol wines. It later found its way to France where it became a key component in blends such as Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Côtes du Rhône, and various rosé wines.
Garnacha is known for its versatility and is used to produce a wide range of wine styles, from bold and fruity reds to elegant rosés and even some fortified wines. In Spain, it is a key grape in regions such as Priorat, Rioja, and Navarra, where it is often blended with other grape varieties like Tempranillo and Carignan. Garnacha is prized for its ability to thrive in hot and arid climates, producing wines with ripe fruit flavors and soft tannins.
Garnacha is now grown in various wine regions around the world, including Australia, California, and South Africa, where winemakers have embraced its ability to produce rich and flavorful wines. Its adaptability to different terroirs and winemaking techniques make it a popular choice for both single-varietal wines and blends.
In recent years, Garnacha has seen a resurgence in popularity as consumers seek out wines with bold flavors and a sense of place. The rise of "natural" and minimal intervention winemaking has also highlighted Garnacha's affinity for expressing terroir and its ability to make wines with character and individuality.
The future looks bright for Garnacha as winemakers continue to explore its potential and push the boundaries of what this versatile grape variety can achieve. With its ability to produce wines that range from light and fruity to rich and powerful, Garnacha is sure to remain a staple in the world of wine for years to come.
Introduction
Hello, my name is Franklin Laurel - Welcome!
I started drinking wine in 1992 when I was in my early twenties and recently married. Like many other young Southern Californians, it started out with White Zinfandel. As we were a couple of young DINKs just beginning life together, and on a budget, our go-to-wine was Sutter Home White Zinfandel, which tasted a lot like wine coolers and probably cost at the time $2.49. If we really were going to splurge, we would step it up and buy Beringer White Zinfandel for $2.99. Those were the days....
After a little time, we decided to get fancy. We stepped up our game and bought some wonderful 2-Buck Chuck from Trader Joe's. The Charles Shaw (Trader Joe's Exclusive Label) wine, also known as 2-Buck-Chuck extended our pallet into Reds for only $1.99 a bottle. Over the years we continued to grow in our understanding of wine (finally ran into some good wine) and we slowly kept buying better and better bottles.
Our first wine club purchase was from Kenwood's Vineyards, in Kenwood, California located in Sonoma Valley, right next to the famous Napa Valley. I began to learn about tobacco leather, and earthiness, and lots of other strange terminology when tasting their signature Zinfandels (of the red variety). So that is how it all began.
Fast forward a couple decades, and we have been members of five different wine clubs, and now have a passion for California's red wines. My favorite by far is Cabernet Sauvignon, while my wife fancies a good Syrah, Malbec, or Merlot - but she also loves the smell of a wine barrel room, which is all about the notes of Cabernet Sauvignon.
As I come across great wine resources and useful information that I find in planning my own wine trips, I will share here for anyone that might stumble across my humble website.
Cheers! - Franklin Laurel