Skip to content
Rate This Wine
Pair my dinnerWine with steakWine with salmonWine with pizzaSee all: PairingsCabernet SauvignonPinot NoirSauvignon BlancSee all: WinesBest wine clubsCheapest wine clubsFor beginnersSee all: Wine clubsWine pairing finderParty wine calculatorRate this wineSee all: ToolsLearn
Grenache (Garnacha)

Medium-bodied red

Grenache (Garnacha): taste & food pairing

Say it: gruh-NASH · Also called Garnacha, Cannonau, Châteauneuf-du-Pape (blend)

Juicy strawberry and raspberry with white pepper and herbs, soft tannin and warm alcohol. The backbone of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and great value from Spain.

BodyLightFull
SweetnessDrySweet
AciditySoftCrisp
TanninSmoothGrippy
AlcoholLowHigh
Tastes likestrawberry, raspberry, white pepper, orange peel, dried herbs
Alcohol14-15.5%
Serve at58-62°F (14-17°C)
GlassRed wine glass
Decant?Rarely
What to paySpanish Garnacha from $10; Châteauneuf $40+

Grenache is a warm-climate grape that makes juicy, soft, spicy reds. It’s the main grape in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Côtes du Rhône, and Spain’s Garnacha is one of the best bargains in red wine.

Best food with Grenache (Garnacha)

PoultryRoast chicken Chardonnay · Pinot Noir · Gamay (Beaujolais) MeatLamb Tempranillo (Rioja) · Red Bordeaux blend · Syrah / Shiraz MeatBBQ ribs Zinfandel · Syrah / Shiraz · Petite Sirah VegetarianGrilled vegetables Sauvignon Blanc · Rosé · Cabernet Franc PoultryThanksgiving turkey Pinot Noir · Gamay (Beaujolais) · Riesling

How it tastes

Strawberry, raspberry and cherry with white pepper, orange peel and garrigue (Mediterranean herbs). Tannin is gentle and alcohol runs high, so it feels round and warm.

Food it loves

Grenache’s soft tannin and ripe fruit suit roast chicken, herby lamb, grilled vegetables and even turkey. It’s a good bridge wine when one table has many dishes.

Buying tips

  • Under $15: Spanish Garnacha (Campo de Borja, Calatayud) and Côtes du Rhône.
  • Step up: Gigondas, Vacqueyras, McLaren Vale Grenache.
  • Splurge: Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Priorat.

Where it’s grown

Southern Rhône Spain (Priorat, Campo de Borja) Sardinia Australia (McLaren Vale)

Tasted Grenache (Garnacha)?

Rate it

Reader tasting notes

Tasted Grenache (Garnacha)? What did you notice, and what did you drink it with? The first good one goes right here.

Add a tasting note

We read every tasting note before it goes live. No links, please, and nothing personal about other people.

Drinking a Grenache (Garnacha) right now?Score it on our 100-point card and keep a private wine journal.
Rate it

If you like Grenache (Garnacha), try…

Light-bodied redPinot Noir red cherry · raspberry · cranberry · mushroom · forest floor Full-bodied redSyrah / Shiraz blackberry · blueberry · black pepper · smoked meat · olive Bold, fruity redZinfandel blackberry jam · raspberry · black pepper · cinnamon · dried fig Medium-to-full redTempranillo (Rioja) cherry · dried fig · tobacco · leather · dill and vanilla (American oak)