History of International Grenache Day
As mentioned, the Grenache takes its origins from the Aragon region of northern Spain, where it is known as Garnacha.
From there it has spread out to be cultivated in Sardinia, Southern France, San Joaquin Valley in California, and even as far off as Australia. In fact, this is one of the most widely planted red grapes on the entire planet!
This grape has such an amazingly diverse flavor profile throughout its life, from raspberry/strawberry with a white pepper spice note in its early life, to aging in the wine that produces leathery and tar flavors.
While such flavors may sound unpleasant to those who aren’t oenophiles (lovers of wine), they can be a point of delightful interest for those who make wine their passion.
The Grenache Association established International Grenache Day to celebrate this grape and all the varieties and vintages of wine that have been, are, and will be produced from it.
In fact, over the ages that have passed since it first began being used and cultivated, new varieties of this wine have appeared to the delight and enjoyment of wine lovers all over the world.
Grenache noir “red Granche” is the most commonly known variety of this wine. But there is also Grenache Blanc, which is of such importance that it ranks on the fourth most planted white wine in France!
To go even further into interesting varieties, there is even one called “Hairy Grenache”, developed to protect itself from transpiration through the same underleaf fuzz mechanic present in rosemary and other plants of the Mediterranean.
Often overlooked in the world of wines, Grenache wine can be dry, semi-sweet, or sweet, with a versatile flavor that goes well with food or on its own.
International Grenache Day gives every lover of wine the opportunity to explore this unique wine, learn more about and appreciate its history, and become just a little bit of an oenophile for a day.
It’s time to enjoy Grenace Day and celebrate this unsung hero of the world of wine!