Grenache Noir
Grenache Noir (French pronunciation: [ɡʁənaʃ nwaʁ]; Spanish: Garnacha Tinta; Sardinian: Cannonau) is the red-berried form of the Grenache grape family. It is the most widely planted mutation and a cornerstone of Mediterranean viticulture, especially in Spain and France. Known for its versatility and late-ripening nature, Grenache Noir is central to both traditional blends and modern varietal wines.[1]
Background
Grenache Noir is believed to have originated in Aragón, in north-eastern Spain, where it has long been cultivated under the name Garnacha Tinta.[2] From Aragón it spread through Catalonia and Navarra, and across the Pyrenees into southern France during the Middle Ages. In Sardinia it is known as Cannonau, where it is the island’s flagship variety.
By the 18th and 19th centuries, Grenache Noir had become dominant in southern France, particularly the Rhône Valley and Roussillon, and later expanded to the New World, with significant old-vine plantings in South Australia and California.[3]
Viticultural and Oenological Characteristics
Grenache Noir is a vigorous, drought-tolerant vine that thrives in hot, dry climates. It produces large, thin-skinned berries with high sugar accumulation, leading to wines with elevated alcohol levels, moderate acidity, and relatively soft tannins.[4]
Wines typically express aromas of red fruits such as strawberry, raspberry, and cherry, alongside herbal and spice notes. With age, flavours may evolve towards leather, liquorice, and earth. Because of its structural softness, Grenache Noir is often blended with firmer varieties like Syrah and Mourvèdre, forming the classic GSM style.
Regional Roles
In Spain, Garnacha Tinta is widely grown in Aragón (notably Campo de Borja, Calatayud, and Cariñena) and in Priorat, where it contributes to concentrated, ageworthy reds.[5]
In France, Grenache Noir is dominant in the southern Rhône, underpinning appellations such as Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, and Côtes du Rhône. It is equally important in Roussillon for both dry reds and fortified vins doux naturels.[6]
Outside Europe, old bush-vine Grenache Noir is prized in South Australia’s Barossa and McLaren Vale, while California and Washington State have embraced the variety under the Rhône Rangers movement.[7]
Relationship to Other Grenache Varieties
Grenache Noir is part of a family of related colour mutations:
- Grenache Blanc – a white mutation producing full-bodied, textural whites.
- Grenache Gris – a grey-pink mutation used mainly in blends of rosé and white wines.
All three share similar viticultural traits, though they differ in colour, aromatic profile, and winemaking applications.
See also
References
- ↑ Robinson, Harding & Vouillamoz, Wine Grapes, HarperCollins, 2012.
- ↑ Consejo Regulador DO Campo de Borja, docampodeborja.com. (Spanish original)
- ↑ Johnson & Robinson, The World Atlas of Wine, 8th ed., Mitchell Beazley, 2019.
- ↑ Robinson (ed.), The Oxford Companion to Wine, Oxford University Press, 2015.
- ↑ MAPA, “La Garnacha”, mapa.gob.es. (Spanish original)
- ↑ Stevenson, The Sotheby’s Wine Encyclopedia, 5th ed., DK, 2011.
- ↑ Wine Australia, “Grenache in Australia”, wineaustralia.com.