International Grenache Day is celebrated annually on the third Friday of September.
One of the world’s most planted grape varieties, Grenache is widely grown in southern France, Spain (where it is known as Garnacha), the United States and Australia. It ripens late, requiring warm and dry conditions to fully ripen, but is versatile both in the vineyard and winery where it is used to make red wines primarily, but sparkling, white, rosé and fortified wines, too.
Scroll down to see DWWA 2024 awarded wines to try this International Grenache Day
Grenache produces round, fruity, powerful wines, often described as having spicy, herbal, raspberry and black cherry characters. The most concentrated, complex, ageworthy examples tend to come from old-vine Grenache, especially from regions such as Priorat, Chateauneuf-du-Pape and McLaren Vale, home to the oldest productive Grenache vineyards in the world.
This International Grenache Day, to celebrate this deliciously juicy grape variety, we highlight a selection of Grenache dominant and varietal wines worth a try from the Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) 2024, with top results coming from Australia, Chile and Spain.
Tasted and rated by our expert judges on the basis of typicity, first and foremost, below discover a selection of the highest scoring, with many more to discover on the DWWA results site.
International Grenache Day: award-winning wines to try
Australia
Penny’s Hill, Yeenunga Grenache, McLaren Vale, South Australia 2023
Best in Show, 97 points
It’s not often mentioned, but the aesthetic spectrum that Grenache is capable of expressing is as wide as that of any rival variety. More so, indeed, than most – from powerfully dark, meaty and structured (notably on rolled pebbles over clay) through to Pinot-like finesse and grace (on quartz or granite sands). When you pour this wine, its dark hue may suggest that it’s an example of the former style. Take a sniff of its beguiling, liqueur-like cherry and strawberry, and let it loose on your tongue to coax and enchant with more of those sweet, seductive fruits … and you realise that it’s closer to the latter style than you expected. Yes, there are tannins – purring, deep-bass tannins which give the wine a latent authority and food-friendliness. The tannins help you understand the wine’s grandeur. Fundamentally, though, it’s an exercise in grace and charm — drawing on what must surely be fine old-vine fruit. Alcohol 14%
Sons of Eden, Notus Grenache, Barossa Valley, South Australia 2023
Gold, 96 points
Glittering with bright fruit energy and striking mountain herb fragrance. Fleshy and plush with a refreshing luminous acidity and fine-seamed cedar oak tannins. Long and pleasurable. Alc 14.5%
Chile
Sutil, Limited Release Garnacha, Cauquenes, Maule 2023
Gold, 96 points
Blooming with wild floral and pomegranate flavours which showcase the delicious typicity of the Maule region. Enchanting and racy with crunchy tannins and an exuberant finale. Alc 14%
France
Pierre Henri Morel, Vacqueyras, Rhône 2022
Gold, 95 points
Awash with bramble and raspberry fruit with a plethora of savoury peppered spice and dried thyme to enthral. Ample and full with a plush, creamy texture. Alc 14.5%
Italy
Madrevite, Opra Gamay, Colli del Trasimeno, Umbria 2023
Silver, 91 points
Very appealing Grenache with a winning combination of juicy strawberry fruit, nice weight on the palate, some fresh acidity and elegant tannins, and mineral finish. Alc 13%
South Africa
Piekenierskloof, Carel Van Zyl Old Vine Grenache Noir, Piekenierskloof, Citrusdal Mountain 2023
Silver, 94 points
Raspberries, sour cherries and garrigue spice. Bright, succulent with spice vibrancy and more of those bright fruits. Balanced, textured and rewarding. Alc 13%
Spain
Bodegas Remírez de Ganuza, Iraila Garnacha, Rioja 2021
Gold, 96 points
Immediate hedonistic red cherry juiciness and luscious oak excitement is juxtaposed by the charming subtlety of delicate tannins and soothing acidity. Incredibly long and expressive. Alc 14.5%
Bodegas Montecillo, Viña Monty Garnacha, Reserva, Rioja 2016
Gold, 95 points
A lovely traditional style, brandishing freshly picked plums, gentle blossom and a luscious vanilla coffee underbelly. Compact and juicy with leathery tannins and a smoky finish. Alc 13.5%
Bodegas San Alejandro, Evodia, Vinos de España 2022
Gold, 95 points
A Garnacha showcase: over-spilling with wild strawberries and red plums which glisten and gleam over the succulent palate, with smooth, supple tannins and an appetising length. Alc 14.5%
Viñedos & Bodegas Alto Buen Grado, La Cendra Garnacha, Cebreros 2021
Gold, 95 points
An ethereal delicacy of red cherry and damson fruit interspersed with arresting salty mineral characters. Fleshy, rounded and expressive with a salient sense of place. Alc 14.5%
Search all DWWA 2024 results
