Grenache growing at Jones Von Drehle Vineyards and Winery – Photo Courtesy of Jones von Drehle
In the Wine Light is International Grenache Day. This wine holiday is celebrated yearly on the third Friday in September. In 2021, that falls on September 17th.
Grenache Day celebrates the red grape Grenache as it’s known in France. In Spain, it’s known as Garnacha and is one of the most widely planted grapes in the world.
Grenache typically thrives in a hot, dry climate and is believed to have originated in what is now northern Spain. It is also widely grown in the southern Rhône Valley in France where it makes up to 80% of Châteauneuf-du-Pape blends along with primarily Syrah and Mourvèdre. Grenache is also used to make rosés with is being the predominant variety in the famous rosés of Tavel.
Grenache is not widely grown in North Carolina. Jones von Drehle Vineyards and Winery currently uses their Grenache solely for their dry rosé, Rosa Dia. Hanover Park Vineyard has a small planting used for blending. Junius Lindsay Vineyard uses Grenache as an occasional standalone wine but mostly for blending in both reds and rosés. MenaRick Vineyard and Winery also grows Grenache and has a single varietal of Grenache available.
What do you like about Grenache? Would you like to see more Grenache grown in North Carolina?
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