Which Grenache wines do you think are the best? (or the greatest quality/price) Thanks and regards!
Answer From Expert Roger Bohmrich MW
I'm very happy to be asked about Grenache, which can produce wines with wonderful, generous fruit qualities offering enormous pleasure. I am among the enthusiastic fans of this grape and frequently drink wines based on this variety. Grenache tends to perform best in hot, dry conditions, and there are successful examples at all price levels from the Southern Rhône Valley, Spain, Australia and California. Often, the ample, rich fruit of Grenache is complemented by other grapes adding complexity and structure, notably Syrah and Mourvedre. For that reason, it is less common to find examples which are pure Grenache. With your question in mind, however, I can cite various bottlings relying entirely (or to a large extent) on this grape. In terms of value - wines retailing for US $20 or less - here are some a Grenache lover may want to try: Côtes du Rhône - Janasse, Grands Bois "Trois Soeurs," Les Halos de Jupiter, Santa Duc, Giraud "Les Grenaches de Sixte," Alain Jaume "Reserve Grand Veneur"; Côtes du Rhône Villages: Grands Bois (several Grenache-dominated cuvees), Michel Gassier "Cercius" Visan, Pierre Henri Morel Signargues; Spain - Bodegas Borsao "Tres Picos," Espelt Garnacha, Las Rocas Garnacha "Vinas Viejas"; Australia - D'Arenberg "The Custodian." If price is no object, there are superb Grenache wines that command attention: Châteauneuf-du-Pape - Château Rayas, Henri Bonneau, Chapoutier "Barbe Rac," Guiraud "Les Grenaches de Pierre," Bosquet des Papes "A la gloire de mon grand-père," Pierre Usseglio "Cuvée de mon aïeul," Chapelle St. Theodoric (several cuvees); Australia - various Grenache labels from Clarendon Hills, Torbreck; California - Sine Qua Non, Cayuse, Beckmen Purisma Mountain. If you want to consider wines in which Grenache is a smaller part of a blend, then the list would be very long indeed, and there would be countless choices from the Rhône Valley in particular, where value for money is extraordinarily high. With very few exceptions, Côtes du Rhône and Côtes du Rhône Villages rely on Grenache as the foundation of their blend. Take a chance on unknown labels and you'll no doubt find winners!
