WINO 101

Hello Friends and Wine Lovers!

Welcome to this week’s Wine Announcement of the Week for Carpe Vinum! This week we’re tasting my favorite red wine varietal: Grenache! (pronunciation: gren-ASH) Why is it one of my favorites? Well, let’s look at the etymology of the word “Grenache”. The first part of the word, “GREN-” comes from the root for the word “Explosive” like in the word “Grenade”. The second part, “-ACHE” comes from a sneeze. So obviously it means that it’s a grape that produces a wine with an explosive characteristic and is as exhilarating as a good sneeze!

Alright. . .so that’s not entirely true, except in my own imaginary world. I was unable to find the real reasons of why most grapes are named what they are, but if it makes a difference, the word “Grenade” comes from the Middle French word for “Pomegranate”, which might have something to do with the Grenache grape flavor. It’s pure speculation. . .but I digress.

Grenache is the most widely planted grape in the world, (last time I checked), and is responsible for some of the world’s best wines. It is the star player in Spain, particularly in Rioja, where in some of the wines old vine Grenache stands alone. It is largely responsible for the most prestigious wines of the Southern Rhone in France, in the “humble” regions of Chateauneuf du Pape, Gigondas, and Cotes du Rhone, as well as offering soothing flavor characteristics to some of the Northern Rhone Syrahs. It is planted widely elsewhere in the world, predominantly for the purposes of blending, also due to the fact that it is a very high-yielding grape. Many producers are creating a buzz for the Rhone-style blends in New World markets, like the self-proclaimed “Rhone Rangers” in California and numerous houses in Australia.

The flavors are powerful, fruity, and spicy with possible characteristics of blackberry, black currants, dried fruit and in more aged Grenaches wines there can be aromas of spice, leather, and tobacco. Around the world it can be known by different names. In Spain it can be referred to as “Garnacha.” In Italy it is called “Cannonau.” In France sometimes it’s known as “Grenache Noir” (which isn’t much of a stretch at all, is it?) And here in Oregon it’s simply known as delicious! I’ve put together, here, 7 stellar examples from around the world of my favorite explosively-exhilarating red wine varietal!

So Friday, September 16th, between 4:30 and 9:00 PM it’s:

Gren-ACHE-CHOO!!
Bodegas Marco Real 2003 Garnacha, Toro, Spain
Bodegas y Vinedos del Jalon 2003 Old Vine Grenache, Calatayud, Spain
Bodegas Borsao 2003 Tres Picos Garnacha, Campo de Borja, Spain
Bonny Doon 2003 Clos de Gilroy Grenache, California
Mitchell 2001 The Growers Grenache, Clare Valley, Australia

Bless you! Grenache Too!
Ross Estate 2002 Old Vine Grenache, Barossa Valley, Australia
Abacela 2003 Grenache, Umpqua Valley, Oregon

Next Friday tasting is Wines of Spain!

M