This grape variety is widely planted in South Australia, particularly in the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale wine regions. It is a versatile variety which can be used as a straight varietal wine, it makes very good rose and is used as blending material, particularly with Shiraz and Mourvedre. In fact the so called GSM blends are becoming a signature Barossa/McLaren Vale style, challenging the dominance of straight Shiraz.

There is some contention among wine writers as to whether this variety should be regarded as French, or as a Spanish variety. In Spain it is known as Garnacha, and is grown extensively throughout the North and East of the country.

In France this variety is grown in the Southern Rhone region as well as in Roussillon. In the Rhone it is a key ingredient of the famous Chateauneuf-du-Pape wines. In fact Grenache is a principal variety in all of the major Appellations in the Southern Rhone. Grenache is also the major variety in Tavel Rose. It plays no part in the Northern Rhone where the only red grape variety is Shiraz (Syrah).

Grenache in Australia

The ability of this variety to produce high yields when given plenty of irrigation in warm climates made it the most popular Australian variety until the 1960s. It was the basis of the so called port wines, as well as a component of many dry red wines, then called claret. But only rarely did the word Grenache appear on a wine label. Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon replaced Grenache in the vineyards and the variety seemed destined for obscurity in Australia. In the 1980s, when the Australian wine industry was concerned about overproduction of red wine, this variety was subject of a vine-pull scheme.

Fortunately a few growers and winemakers recognised the virtues of Grenache and it now is nudging along nicely in the wine fashion stakes. In fact it is now among the most popular alternative variety being planted by newcomers to the wine industry. A few remaining paddocks of old vines have suddenly been elevated to the status of viticultural gold mines. The passion and perseverance of the Grenache producers have been harvested by the marketers and the future of the variety seems assured.

The Taste of Grenache

The wines reflect the conditions under which the grapes were grown. When grown under tough conditions or from old vines the wines can be rich and complex, with flavours of roasted nuts, blackberries spices and above all earthiness. In blends I have often detected just a hint of crushed ants in the nose.

As young wines Grenaches are firm and sometimes rough textured. I suspect that getting the tannin balance right is a major factor in making a good Grenache.The colour often does not adequately prepare you for the depth of flavour.

Grenache and food pairing

While the lighter styles are versatile as accompaniments to food, bigger styles demand a meaty dish to really show their stuff.

GSM wines are firm, well flavoured and coloured. They go well with barbeques, but are certainly not out of place with the best cuts of meat. More food pairing ideas can be found at the Albarino to Zinfandel site

For a special summer treat try a chilled Grenache rose with tapenade or a few grilled sardines.

Grenache wine In Australia

• Adelina Wines Clare Valley
• Amadio Adelaide Hills
• Amarillo Wines Peel
• Ambrook Wines Swan Valley
• Andrew Peace Wines Swan Hill
• Angas Vineyards Langhorne Creek
• Arakoon McLaren Vale
• Arimia Margaret River Margaret River
• Artwine Clare Valley
• Australian Domaine Wines Clare Valley
• B3 Wines Barossa Valley
• Ballast Stone Estate Currency Creek
• Balthazar Barossa Valley
• Barossa Valley Estate Barossa Valley
• Barristers Block Adelaide Hills
• Basedow Barossa Valley
• Bell River Estate Central Ranges Zone
• Bella Ridge Estate Swan District
• Bent Creek Vineyards McLaren Vale
• Bethany Barossa Valley
• Biscay Wines Barossa Valley
• Blackbilly McLaren Vale
• Blown Away McLaren Vale
• Boireann Granite Belt
• Briery Estate Perth Hills
• Brini Estate McLaren Vale
• Broken River Vineyards Goulburn Valley
• Brookhampton Estate Geographe
• Bullers Beverford Swan Hill
• Burge Family Winemakers Barossa Valley
• Byramgou Park Geographe
• Callipari Wine Murray Darling
• Canonbah Bridge Western Plains
• Cape Barren Wines McLaren Vale
• Cape Mentelle Margaret River
• Carilley Estate Swan Valley
• Carpenteri Vineyards Swan Hill
• Cascabel McLaren Vale
• Chain of Ponds Adelaide Hills
• Chaperon Wines Bendigo
• Charles Melton Barossa Valley
• Chateau Dorrien Barossa Valley
• Chittering Valley Winery Perth Hills
• Cirillo Barossa Valley
• Clancy Fuller Barossa Valley
• Clarence Hill McLaren Vale
• Clarendon Hills McLaren Vale
• Classic McLaren Wines McLaren Vale
• Claymore Wines Clare Valley
• Cobbitty Wines South Coast Zone
• Colonial Estate Barossa Valley
• Conte Estate Wines McLaren Vale
• Contessa Estate McLaren Vale
• Coriole McLaren Vale
• Craneford Barossa Valley
• Currans Family Wines Murray Darling
• Currency Creek Currency Creek
• D'Arenberg McLaren Vale
• Darlington Estate Perth Hills
• De Lisio Wines McLaren Vale
• Deisen Barossa Valley
• Di Fabio Estate McLaren Vale
• Diggers Bluff Barossa Valley
• Diloreto Wines Adelaide Plains
• Doctors Nose Wines New England
• DogRidge McLaren Vale
• Dogrock Winery Pyrenees
• Domain Barossa Barossa Valley
• Dominic Versace Wines Adelaide Plains
• Donnybrook Estate Geographe
• Eden Road Wines Eden Valley
• Eperosa Barossa Valley
• Eyre Creek Clare Valley
• Faranda Wines
• Fireblock Clare Valley
• Five Geese Hillgrove Wines McLaren Vale
• Flat View Vineyard Clare Valley
• Foggo Wines McLaren Vale
• Fonthill Wine McLaren Vale
• Fox Creek Wines McLaren Vale
• Franand Wines Swan District
• FUSE Clare Valley
• Gapsted Alpine Valleys
• Gawler River Grove Adelaide Plains
• Geddes Wines McLaren Vale
• Gemtree Vineyards McLaren Vale
• Geoff Hardy McLaren Vale
• Geoff Merrill McLaren Vale
• Gibson Barossavale Barossa Valley
• Gilligan McLaren Vale
• Gin Gin Wines Queensland Coastal
• Glaetzer Wines Barossa Valley
• Glaymond Wines Barossa Valley
• Gnadenfrei Estate Barossa Valley
• Golden Ball Beechworth
• Gomersal Wines Barossa Valley
• Gomersal Wines Barossa Valley
• Grancari Estate McLaren Vale
• Grant Burge Barossa Valley
• Greenock Creek Wines Barossa Valley
• Halina Brook Central Western Australian Zone
• Hamiltons Ewell Vineyards Barossa Valley
• Hanging Rock Winery Macedon Ranges
• Harman's Ridge Estate Margaret River
• Haselgrove McLaren Vale
• Hawkers Gate McLaren Vale
• Heathcote Estate Heathcote
• Henry Holmes Wines Barossa Valley
• Henschke Eden Valley
• Hently Farm Wines Barossa Valley
• Hewitson Barossa Valley
• Hickinbotham Mornington Peninsula
• Hobbs of Barossa Ranges Barossa Valley
• Hutton Vale Eden Valley
• Izway Wines Barossa Valley
• Jamabro Wines Barossa Valley
• Jeanneret Wines Clare Valley
• Jenke Vineyards Barossa Valley
• Jimbour Wines Queensland Zone
• John Duval Wines Barossa Valley
• Jupiter Creek Winery Adelaide Hills
• Kabminye Wines Barossa Valley
• Kaesler Barossa Valley
• Kalleske Wines Barossa Valley
• Kangarilla Road McLaren Vale
• Kay Bros Amery McLaren Vale
• Kellermeister Wines Barossa Valley
• Kilikanoon Clare Valley
• Kirrihill Estates Clare Valley
• Kirrihill Adelaide Hills
• Kirwans Bridge Wines Nagambie Lakes
• Kitty Crawford Estate New England
• Kladis Estate Shoalhaven Coast
• Koltz McLaren Vale
• Kyotmunga Estate Perth Hills
• La Curio McLaren Vale
• Lake Breeze Langhorne Creek
• Landhaus Estate Barossa Valley
• Langmeil Barossa Valley
• Lanzthomson Wines Barossa Valley
• Laughing Jack Barossa Valley
• Linda Domas Wines McLaren Vale
• Linfield Road Wines Barossa Valley
• Little Bridge Canberra
• Lou Miranda Estate Barossa Valley
• Macaw Creek Wine Mount Lofty Ranges Zone
• Magpie Estate Barossa Valley
• Mansfield Wines Mudgee
• Marienberg McLaren Vale
• Mary Byrnes Wines Granite Belt
• Marybrook Vineyards & Winery Margaret River
• mas serrat Yarra Valley
• Massena Wines Barossa Valley
• Maverick Wines Barossa Valley
• Mawson Ridge Adelaide Hills
• Maxwell Wines McLaren Vale
• McHenry Hohnen Margaret River
• McLaren Ridge Estate McLaren Vale
• McLaren Wines McLaren Vale
• McWilliams Riverina
• Middlebrook Estate McLaren Vale
• Mitchell Clare Valley
• Mitchelton Nagambie Lakes
• Moppa Wilton Vineyards Barossa Valley
• Morrisons Riverview Winery Perricoota
• Moss Brothers Margaret River
• Mount Appallan Vineyards South Burnett
• Mt Billy Southern Fleurieu
• Murdock Barossa Valley
• Murray Street Vineyard Barossa Valley
• Neagles Rock Vineyards Clare Valley
• Noon Winery McLaren Vale
• Normanby Wines Queensland Zone
• Old Plains Adelaide Plains
• Old Station Clare Valley
• Olive Farm Swan District
• Oliverhill McLaren Vale
• Olivers Taranga McLaren Vale
• Organic Vignerons Australia Riverland
• Orlando Barossa Valley
• Parkerville Ponds Vineyard Perth Hills
• Parri Estate Southern Fleurieu
• Patterson Lakes Estate Port Phillip Zone
• Paul Conti Wines Perth
• Paxton McLaren Vale
• Pende Valde McLaren Vale
• Penny's Hill McLaren Vale
• Pepperilly Estate Wines Geographe
• Pertaringa McLaren Vale
• Peter Lehmann Barossa Valley
• Phoenix Estate Clare Valley
• Pikes Clare Valley
• Pirramimma McLaren Vale
• Plantagenet Mount Barker
• Possums Vineyard McLaren Vale
• RBJ Barossa Valley
• Red Earth Estate Western Plains
• Redbox Perricoota Perricoota
• Redheads Studio McLaren Vale
• Reilly's Wines Clare Valley
• Remarkable View Winery Southern Flinders Region
• Richard Hamilton Wines McLaren Vale
• Riseborough Estate Swan District
• Riverbank Estate Swan Valley
• Rockford Barossa Valley
• Roehr Barossa Valley
• Roennfeldt Wines Barossa Valley
• Rosenvale Wines Barossa Valley
• Ross Estate Wines Barossa Valley
• Rusden Wines Barossa Valley
• Rutherglen Estates Rutherglen
• Saltram Barossa Valley
• Samuels Gorge McLaren Vale
• SC Pannell McLaren Vale
• Scarpatoni Estate McLaren Vale
• Schild Estate Wines Barossa Valley
• Schiller Vineyards Barossa Valley
• Schulz Vignerons Barossa Valley
• Schwarz Wine Company Barossa Valley
• Scion Vineyard Rutherglen
• Scorpiiion Barossa Valley
• Serafino Wines McLaren Vale
• Seraph's Crossing Clare
• Sevenhill Wines Clare Valley
• Shingleback McLaren Vale
• Sieber Road Wines Barossa Valley
• Simon Hackett McLaren Vale
• Skillogalee Clare Valley
• Smallfry Wines Barossa Valley
• Sons of Eden Barossa Valley
• Soul Growers Barossa Valley
• Spinifex Barossa Valley
• Spook Hill Wines Riverland
• Springs Hill Vineyard Fleurieu Zone
• St Annes Vineyards Perricoota
• St Hallett Barossa Valley
• Stakehill Estate Peel
• Stonewell Vineyards Barossa Valley
• Strathkellar Goulburn Valley
• Sutherlands Creek Vineyard Geelong
• Swan Valley Wines Swan Valley
• Swings & Roundabouts Margaret River
• Tahbilk Nagambie Lakes
• Tait Wines Barossa Valley
• Talijancich Swan Valley
• Talunga Adelaide Hills
• Tatachilla McLaren Vale
• Te-Aro Barossa Valley
• Temple Bruer Langhorne Creek
• Tenafeate Creek Wines Adelaide Plains
• Teusner Barossa Valley
• The Gap Grampians
• The Grapes of Ross Barossa Valley
• The Islander Estate Vineyards Kangaroo Island
• The Lily Stirling Range Great Southern
• The Minya Winery Geelong
• The Old Faithful Estate McLaren Vale
• The Ritual Peel
• Tim Adams Clare Valley
• Tim Smith Wines Barossa Valley
• Tin Shed Wines Eden Valley
• Tintara McLaren Vale
• Torbreck Vintners Barossa Valley
• Trentham Estate Murray Darling
• Tulley Wells Upper Goulburn
• Turkey Flat Vineyards Barossa Valley
• Twelve Staves Wine Company McLaren Vale
• Uleybury Wines Adelaide Zone
• Valhalla Wines Rutherglen
• Valley Wines Swan District
• Varrenti Wines Grampians
• Veritas Barossa Valley
• Veronique Barossa Valley
• Vinaceous Various
• Vinifera Wines Mudgee
• Vino Italia Swan Valley
• Vinrock McLaren Vale
• Vintara Rutherglen
• Virgara Wines Adelaide Plains
• Wallington Wines Cowra
• Western Range Wines Perth Hills
• White's Vineyard Swan Valley
• Willunga 100 Wines McLaren Vale
• Windy Creek Estate Swan Valley
• Winter Creek Wine Barossa Valley
• Wirra Wirra McLaren Vale
• Witches Falls Winery Granite Belt
• Woodstock McLaren Vale
• Yaldara Barossa Valley
• Yalumba Wine Company Barossa Valley
• Yangarra Estate McLaren Vale
• Yelland and Papps Barossa Valley
• Zitta Wines Barossa Valley
• Zonte's Footstep Langhorne Creek