Grenache (California)
One more week of Advent to go! Day 17th’s offering from IGT is a Grenache from California. You might recall on Day 3, we tried a Garnacha from the same label. For those who don’t know, Garnacha and Grenache are actually the same grape variety, a thin-skinned grape originating in Northern Spain that has grown to become one of the most planted red varietals in the world. Garnacha is the Spanish name of the grape and naturally it is referred to the grape when it is grown in Spain. Grenache is the French name and it is usually, but not always referred to the variety grown in France and other non-Spanish regions (except in Sardinia, Italy where it is referred to as “Cannonau”).
So here we have this Grenache out of California. This is a very tasty Grenache. Much like the Garnacha, it is very fruit forward, bursting with red fruit aromas and flavors, especially cherries, raspberries and strawberries. It also has some spicy, peppery notes and even a hint of herb. Despite being low in tannin structure, I found the Grenache to be more complex in flavor, with the different berry and cherry flavors being more vibrant, complimented by a somewhat lively acidity. It is lighter than the Garnacha, but I think the long fruit and spice finish makes up for that. This is an easy-drinking wine, I had fun tasting it solo, then pairing it with a vegetable chili. The juicy red fruit complimented it well. Overall, while I liked the Garnacha well enough, I found the Grenache more enjoyable, with its brighter flavor profile and a sharper, spicier edge. Perhaps it is the relatively lower tannin structure that helped the flavors stand out. I’m not sure, but this Grenache is definitely a keeper.
Ed's Wineglass Adventures 