Grenache Cannonau

Despite original research linking the origins of Grenache Cannonau to the region of Aragon in northern Spain (and arriving on Sardinia by the Aragonese when they conquered the island in the early 14th century), it is now thought that the grape variety may well have originated on Sardegna itself. Grenache grapes nonetheless are one of the most widely cultivated varieties for Spanish wine, where it is known as Garnacha. It is also found in renowned regions like Rioja, Madrid, Méntrida, Tarragona, and Valencia. Grenache is regarded as a premium grape variety in France. For French wines the area of Grenache has continued to increase at the expense of the high-yielding but poor-quality varieties. Grenache grapes dominate the blend in the flavourful wines of the Côtes Du Rhône, providing their signature flavours of strawberries and white pepper. Close to 75% of the vineyards in Chateauneuf du Pape (Châteauneuf-du-Pape) are planted with Grenache. Many of Grenache’s most famous French wines don’t mention grapes by tradition, however, most Grenache wines are blends, often with Rhône partners Syrah and Mourvèdre, so they often fall short of the 75 percent requirement for labelling by single grape variety. It is an important variety on the island of Sardinia, where it is called Cannonau. Grenache is also grown in Sicily and the southern Italian mainland under the names of Granaccia and Alicante (see also the wines of Alicante-Bouschet). Other than Europe and remnant vine plantings in Morocco and Algeria, the only appreciable areas are in California and Australia, mostly wines in South Australia.

Characterized by large, compact clusters with medium-sized dark purple berries, Grenache has delicate skin and juicy, white pulp. Due to its late ripening, it thrives in dry, warm conditions, but it’s a grape that exhibits excellent climate resilience, adapting to both high and low temperatures and altitude. Grenache is known for its natural tendency to produce many clusters that can be very large in size. Reversing the pattern of most red grapes, its wines often look paler when grown in warmer regions and darker in cooler zones.
In addition to its rock-star red status, Grenache is the world’s premier grape for making dry pink wines, thanks to its snappy, fresh strawberry flavours. It is no coincidence that dry rosé wines are specialities of the grape’s home turf in southern France, in zones like the Rhône and Provence, as well as northeastern Spain.