In Spanish it is Garnacha, and in French it is Grenache. These are all the same ancient red grape variety grown in Spain, France, Australia and the USA. It is considered one of the most cultivated and widespread species used for making wine. In Spain it is bred throughout most of the country; in France it has taken root in the southern regions. The exact origin is unknown. According to some sources, its homeland is Spanish Catalonia, according to others - sunny Sardinia in Italy. Starting as a minor variety, it was able to achieve a high position among winemakers thanks to the high resistance of its vines.
Description of the Garnacha and Grenache variety
It is a technical variety that is used in the production of red and rose wines. It is famous for its flexibility, due to which it is used to create drinks with a variety of characteristics. Grenache is a heat-loving, high-yielding species that tolerates arid climates well. Because of this, it takes root well in dry soils, and with high humidity, the grapes can develop typical diseases - powdery mildew and aphids.
Rosé wines made from these berries are considered one of the hallmarks of the south of France.
Grapes are not only red. There are pink and white species, although they are considered rare even in France.
Interesting Facts
- The area of Grenache vineyards is decreasing. If in the 1970s they occupied about 800 thousand acres and produced up to 2.5 billion bottles per year, today their total area does not reach 500 thousand acres.
- Grenache is even grown in China. Vineyards of this variety occupy 12 thousand acres in the Middle Kingdom. Despite the fact that China is little known in the world wine market, this country has 7 wine regions and more than 40 autochthonous varieties not known in Europe.
- The most expensive Grenache is produced in the Chateau du Pape region and costs about $600 per bottle. The American brand Sine Qua Non is slightly more affordable and can be purchased for $500. Finally, in third place is Spanish wine from Priorat, whose cost is close to $300.
- In France, fortified wines Rasteau, Maury and Banyuls are made based on the Grenache variety.
- American Grenache vines are identical to French ones: they were brought to the United States in 1989 from Chateau du Pape.
- In the 17th century, Grenache was added to Burgundy wine, mixed with Pinot Noir, to improve the taste and aroma of the drink.
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Properties
Belongs to the ecological-geographical group of Western European grape species. Grapes are characterized by a late ripening period. Since it most often grows in hot areas, wines based on it can have an alcohol content of 15% or more. As varietal wines, Garnacha exhibits a variety of spicy and berry aromas, especially raspberries. Being a technical variety, Garnacha cannot be used for fresh consumption.
There is an international day in honor of Grenache berries, which is celebrated on September 24th.
Calorie content
When fresh, the berries are low in calories; 100 grams contain no more than 70 kilocalories. In finished wines, the calorie content remains almost unchanged, but as juice, grapes increase their energy value. Due to the high glucose and fructose content, the drink can contain up to 150 kcal. Thus, oddly enough, the extra inches may be due to grape juice, not wine.
Benefits and harms
The benefits and harms of Garnacha are characterized by the same properties as most varieties of red grapes. It is useful for normalizing hemoglobin levels in the blood. Antioxidants contained in berries promote the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, liver and gall bladder. Grapes and their products have a positive effect on the condition of the skin, therefore they are widely used in the manufacture of cosmetics. It is necessary to take into account the possibility of individual intolerance to berries. After drinking drinks, you should rinse your mouth or brush your teeth, as the variety is characterized by strong coloring pigments.
Red berries have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. However, they are not suitable for use by people with allergic reactions.
Acidity
The berries of this type have thin skin. Acidity and tannin levels vary depending on the climatic conditions of the place of growth, as well as on the yield. Most often, the acidity value is at the “average below average” level. However, when grown in shale and rocky soils, the grapes are capable of producing concentrated wine that can last for decades.
Description of the variety
The most common notes: red berries (raspberries and strawberries), black cherry, pepper, anise, tobacco, citrus zest, cinnamon. When aged in the fermented juice of Grenache berries, nuances of leather and resin appear.
Grenache berries
Also, the taste largely depends on the region of production. Spanish brands are fuller-bodied and spicy than their counterparts from other countries, with hints of licorice. French wine is less strong, but in its bouquet you can recognize the nuances of oregano and lavender. France also produces Grenache rosé wine. American producers typically blend Grenache with other varieties, resulting in a wine with clear floral notes and piercing acidity.
Pink Grenache
During a blind tasting, the variety is invariably recognized by the nuances of caramelized fruit and spices.
Despite its high strength, this wine has a pale color and can even be translucent, so visually it appears young and weak.
Characteristics of the bush
The variety is characterized by vigorous bushes, with an average number of stepsons. The leaves are small or medium in size, “five-fingered”, three-lobed, with sharp teeth. The leaf plate is slightly curved like a funnel. The upper part is shiny, and the lower part has light arachnoid pubescence. Overall, the vines are ripening well.
The plant is characterized by increased drought resistance, but can withstand temperature drops only down to -18°C.
Vine
The variety is distinguished by a hardy vine with a powerful trunk. The bush is able to survive even as a free-standing plant. The vine is resistant to windy and dry weather, which has contributed to its cultivation in the hot climate of California and southern Australia. Due to the presence of a strong root system, the plant is able to survive for a long time without watering. Garnacha prefers warm, dry climates and blooms early.
Grapes for wine
The Grenache bunch is medium-sized, cone-shaped, and varies in density from loose to dense. The berries are round, lilac-violet in color, small. They are characterized by medium size and a purple-pink hue. The skin of the grapes is thick and dense, the pulp is juicy, with a high sugar content. Due to the fact that the growing season lasts for a long time, the berries often fall off before they have time to ripen. However, this natural selection makes it easier for wine specialists, since only the best berries are left at the time of harvest. With high yields, the quality of the grapes decreases.
Productivity
Productivity in arid climates is 20 c/ra. The high yield of a species is influenced by its characteristics:
- Resistance to winds and drought.
- Vine hardiness.
- Good root system.
- Frost resistance of the vine down to -18°C.
- Unpretentiousness to soil composition.
- Resistance to major diseases.
However, the species has disadvantages that negatively affect productivity. When humidity increases, grapes become sick.
Large harvests reduce the quality of the berries.
Characteristics of Grenache grapes
This is a fairly late variety with a long growing season. It takes a long time to ripen and requires a sufficient amount of light and heat, but is capable of producing a generous harvest. The vine is distinguished by its strong wood and resistance to tree diseases; it can grow and bear fruit for decades. The harvest from such old vines is considered the best, and the wines from it are the most prestigious and expensive.
However, when berries reach phenolic ripeness (i.e., ripe tannins and fruit bouquet), they tend to accumulate high levels of sugar with moderate acidity, which can result in drinks that are “spiritual” (i.e., high in alcohol) and unbalanced. . If the fertility of the vine is not controlled and the vineyard is not irrigated, then the drink can turn out diluted and pale, prone to rapid development and oxidation.
To improve the quality of the harvest, winemakers choose infertile soils (sandy, rocky, gravelly) with good drainage and a special method of vine management - “bush”, or “gobelet”. In such conditions, the vine's access to water is limited, and the special formation of the bush regulates the yield of the vine - the number of clusters and the size of the berries. It is these small berries that have the concentrated and vibrant characteristics of the variety and give the wine deeper color and higher levels of tannins.
Characteristics of black Grenache wines
Such wines are rare; this variety is mainly used in combination with Syrah and Mourvèdre, which is a traditional combination for the Southern Rhone and Australia.
Affordable wines of good but not exceptional quality will have predominantly sweet berry flavors of ripe strawberries and cherries, or even jam, with the occasional piquant hint of white pepper. In pink ones you can often smell a sweet “candy” aroma.
Multicolored Grenache
Most often, the variety is associated with red wines from the French appellation Châteauneuf-du-Pape and other appellations of the Southern Rhône Valley and the Spanish Priorat appellation. But fortified white wines of Roussillon, and even more so dry white wines made from white and gray Grenache, are not immediately remembered.
White and gray Grenache are color mutations of its red version and have similar characteristics:
- medium acidity;
- high sugar content;
- sweetish aromas in the bouquet.
The difference will, of course, be in the bouquet itself: white wines made from white or gray Grenache are distinguished by notes of tropical fruit, apple, peach, and sometimes light minerality if the grapes grew near the sea. The latter is found in the names Collioure.
Fortified wines from white and gray Grenache, especially those made by the oxidative method, in addition to the characteristic fruit notes, also acquire shades of nuts, caramel and dried fruits.
By the way, black Grenache is also used in the production of fortified wines, in which its taste characteristics are clearly manifested.
Growing
To grow a good harvest, it is necessary to take into account the characteristics of the variety. Grenache comes in three types:
- Grenache Noir. The berries have a black tint and are used to make red wine.
- Grenache Gris. The addition of this species gives the wine a raspberry hue.
- Grenache Blanc. A rare white variety that gives the drink a straw color.
For breeding, you need to choose a species that can take root in your climate. When growing this variety, you should choose the warmest regions.
Planting period
To plant a grapevine, you should choose the most illuminated place on the site. The plant needs a lot of sunlight. The planting must be protected from drafts. The plant takes root best in spring and autumn. The soil under the grapes should be as dry as possible. The plant should also be protected from excessive moisture. If you plan to plant several bushes, the distance between them should be more than one and a half meters. Garnacha is considered a flexible variety. Depending on the place of growth, the berry can change its characteristics.
Read about planting grapes in open ground here.
Ripening period
The vine of this species begins to bloom early, but has a long growing season. All types of Grenache are characterized by a late ripening period. In most cases, the berries begin to fall off before they have time to ripen, which reduces the amount of harvest.
History of the Garnacha variety
Unfortunately, it is not known exactly when this grape variety appeared. But most sources say that Grenache comes from the mountains of Aragon, which are located in Spain. The first mention of the red Aragonese variety dates back to 1513.
However, Italians express the opinion that Cannonau (as the Garnacha variety is called in Italy) appeared much earlier in their country. But recent research by scientists still confirms that the birthplace of Grenache is Spain.
Today the region of Aragon is little known, but during the Middle Ages it was a strong kingdom. It owned lands in the south of France, Italy, as well as territories in Greece. At that time, the Spaniards were actively planting Grenache on their lands, but the variety did not take root everywhere.
The active growth of Garnacha's popularity occurred during the period after the phylloxera epidemic. After all, they needed a productive, persistent and unpretentious variety. Grenache has these qualities. The grape has taken root well in the Southern Rhone and Burgundy.
At the end of the 20th century, demand for Garnacha began to decline. The variety unfairly took second place in the world and received the stigma of a “workhorse”. Planting area has decreased by 30% over the past 20 years.
Care
For a grapevine, the first year of growth is considered the most important. With the right approach, the plant can take root well, subsequently bringing a decent harvest. The following recommendations must be followed:
- To begin with, a newly planted bush needs support, which will increase along with the growth of the trunk.
- The soil under the bush should be loose and free of weeds.
- You should not water the plant frequently, as this will only harm it.
- In autumn it is necessary to carry out mandatory pruning.
- You should periodically check the condition of the leaves so as not to miss the moment of the onset of the disease.
Read about pruning grapes in spring here.
Disease Prevention
The vine must be protected from excess moisture, both above and below ground. Excessive watering can lead to powdery mildew, aphids, and gray rot in the plant. It is necessary to periodically inspect the leaves and trunk for signs of disease development. Their timely detection will save the plant.
You can read about gray rot of grapes at the link.
For preventive purposes, bushes need to be treated with fungicides.
Grape pruning
Pruning of the vine must be carried out in the fall, after the flow of juices in the plant has stopped. This way the bush will not be damaged. Only the lower shoots are pruned to give the bush a fan shape. It also allows the plant to concentrate resources on fewer branches, which has a positive effect on the quality of the harvest.
You can read about how to properly prune grapes in the fall in this material.
What is it like, grenache?
First of all, fruity - you can detect tones of raspberry, strawberry, dark cherry, often candied. A lot of different spices are also a characteristic feature: tobacco, anise, cinnamon, citrus zest, oregano. Soft, friendly tannins, medium acidity, medium density. Alcohol is medium to high. With a certain amount of experience, you will always find his friend's shoulder in assemblages.
Grenache is the main base variety for the production of monumental and elegant Chateauneufs and everyday reliable Cotes du Rhones, Grand Priorates and luscious Sardinians. So in importance it is almost equal to cabernet sauvignon. And – you won’t believe it! – it is also the father of many rosé wines. Why do you think? It's quite simple: large berries - a lot of pulp - little color, plus delicate tannin. So, along with Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc, this is the “rosiest” variety.
conclusions
- Description Garnacha, being a minor grape variety, was able to become a world leader in winemaking.
- Despite the low yield, this species is still loved by wine producers for its versatility.
- The grapes tolerate dry weather well, so they are widely cultivated in areas separated by moisture. High humidity, on the contrary, leads to berry diseases, such as chlorosis, for example.
- The variety is characterized by a long vegetative period and late ripening. Some of the grapes fall off before they have time to ripen. Thus, natural selection occurs and only the best berries remain in the harvest.
You can read about how to make wine from grapes in this article.
Story
Most likely, the variety’s homeland is the Spanish region of Aragon. The vines may have spread first to nearby Catalonia, then to Sardinia and Rossillon. This is indicated by the first name of the variety - Tinto Aragones (red wine from Aragon).
However, residents of Sardinia claim that Grenache (known here as Cannonau) originally appeared on their territory, and only in the 14th century came to Aragon.
In the 18th century, the variety appeared in Australia and almost immediately became the most widespread dark grape in the country, losing this title to Shiraz only in the 1960s.
Grenache vineyard in Australia
