Grenache

Grenache
Grape (Vitis)
Grenache noir in Viala & Vermorel
Color of berry skin	Noir
Species	Vitis vinifera
Also called	Garnatxa negre, Alicante, Cannonau, Garnacha tinta, Grenache noir (more)
Origin	Spain
Notable regions	Aragon, Alella, Priorat, Roussillon, Rhône, Sardinia, Rioja

Grenache (/ɡrəˈnɑːʃ/) or Garnacha (IPA: [ɡarˈnatʃa]) is one of the most widely planted red wine grape varieties in the world. It ripens late, so it needs hot, dry conditions such as those found in Spain, where the grape most likely originated. It is also grown in Sardinia, the south of France, Australia, and California's San Joaquin Valley.

It is generally spicy, berry-flavored and soft on the palate and produces wine with a relatively high alcohol content, but it needs careful control of yields for best results. Characteristic flavor profiles on Grenache include red fruit flavors (raspberry and strawberry) with a subtle, white pepper spice note. Grenache wines are highly prone to oxidation with even young examples having the potential to show browning (or "bricking") coloration that can be noticed around the rim when evaluating the wine at an angle in the glass. As Grenache ages the wines tend to take on more leather and tar flavors. Wines made from Grenache tend to lack acid, tannin and color, and it is often blended with other varieties such as Syrah, Carignan, Tempranillo and Cinsaut.