What is grenache wine?

A medium-bodied and very flexible wine, grenache forms the backbone of many Australian blends and fortifieds, most notably being the G in GSM and a major ingredient in port and many dessert wines.

What does grenache taste like?

This grape’s use in fortified wine hints at its sweetness; high in natural sugars, fruity flavours like strawberry, raspberry, red plum and black cherry dominate at the front of the mouth, while spicy notes of cinnamon, clove and white pepper come second in this one-two punch.

Grenache is a rather smooth and easy drinking wine, with the medium body matched with medium tannins and medium to low acidity. These characteristics are exactly why grenache is so popular in blends – it tends to round off the harder and sharper characteristics of other varieties, adding balance and smoothness to the mix.

Is garnacha the same as grenache?

Yes. Australia uses the French term grenache, but the grape actually originated in Spain where it’s called garnacha. Historically Spain has produced more grenache than any other country, so if you’re hunting the shelves of your local bottle store you’re likely to come across a wine labelled ‘garnacha’.

Grenache food pairing

Grenache's red fruit notes, such as raspberry, cherry and strawberry, pair beautifully with grilled meats, roasted vegetables, and Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. It is also an ideal partner for a charcuterie board, where it can complement an array of cured meats and cheeses.

For those with a sweet tooth, grenache can even be enjoyed alongside chocolate desserts. The wine's natural sweetness and fruit-forward character create a delightful contrast with the richness of the chocolate.