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Grenache is the grape Australia nearly pulled out and now cannot get enough of. Buy Grenache online at Whisky Wine Sake and explore what old bush vines in the Barossa and McLaren Vale are producing: perfumed, red-fruited, silky reds that drink closer to Pinot Noir than to the heavy fortified wine Grenache was once destined for.
From blending grape to hero
For most of the twentieth century Australian Grenache went into port and cask wine. The vines survived anyway, and some are now among the oldest Grenache plantings on earth: gnarled, dry-grown bush vines in the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale that produce tiny crops of intensely perfumed fruit. A generation of growers started picking earlier, handling the fruit gently and ageing in older oak, and the result is a completely different wine: raspberry, red cherry, rosewater and warm spice, with fine tannin and real lift.
GSM, the Australian blend
GSM stands for Grenache, Shiraz and Mataro, the classic southern Rhône trio that Australia has made thoroughly its own. Grenache brings perfume and red fruit, Shiraz adds depth and dark fruit, and Mataro (known in France as Mourvèdre) contributes structure, savouriness and grip. The blend is forgiving, food-friendly and usually better value than any of its parts sold alone. You will find both straight Grenache and GSM blends in this range.
Drinking Grenache
Serve it cooler than you would Shiraz, around 14 to 16°C, which keeps the perfume bright and stops the alcohol dominating. It is superb with slow-roast lamb, moussaka, charcuterie, tagines and anything built on tomato and herbs. Most Grenache is delicious in its first five years, though serious old-vine bottlings reward a decade. Compare it with our Shiraz range, browse red blends, or see all red wine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Grenache taste like?
Red fruit above all: raspberry, strawberry and red cherry, lifted by rosewater, dried herbs and warm spice. Tannins are fine and the texture is silky, which is why Grenache is often called Australia's answer to Pinot Noir.
What does GSM stand for?
Grenache, Shiraz and Mataro. Mataro is the Australian name for Mourvèdre. The three are blended for perfume, depth and structure respectively.
Should Grenache be served chilled?
Lightly, yes. Twenty minutes in the fridge brings it to about 14 to 16°C, which sharpens the aromatics and keeps lighter styles refreshing.
How long does Grenache cellar?
Most bottles are at their best within five years. Old-vine Barossa and McLaren Vale Grenache from a good producer will hold and improve for ten or more.
Do you deliver Grenache across Australia?
Yes, fast and secure delivery Australia-wide, free shipping on NSW orders over $150, and click and collect from our Enmore Road store in Sydney.