Wine Style of The Month Grenache
Grenache – The Grape That Is Second to None!
The life of the Grenache grape has always been about a serious of seconds. It is the second most planted grapevine in the world. I bet you didn’t know that. In Rioja, Spain, where the grape is known as “Garnacha”, it is the second most important grape after Tempranillo. In France, the grape is used by the French Vermouth industry along with
blended amounts of Muscat to make dry vermouth wines. And of course these vermouth wines are added to martini’s where they play just a secondary role to the vodka or gin. Yes, the Grenache grape has always been thought of by most winemakers throughout the world as an excellent blending grape to round off a blend in a wine where some other grape is the star. Usually that grape is Syrah. Grenache has throughout its life always been a bridesmaid and never a bride. Until lately that is!
More and more countries are starting to experiment with Grenache as a stand-alone varietal wine. Although Spain and France have been making Grenache wines for centuries, it really has been Australia that has been pushing Grenache wines into the spotlight. The Aussies have been featuring them in their “GSM” blend wines (Grenache, Shiraz, Mouvedre) or even as stand alone Grenache wines and so far, they are really starting to catch on with the wine buying public. Cult wineries like Two Hands, d’Arenberg and Torbreck are producing stellar versions of the grape and so far, the wine critics like what they are tasting.
In Europe Grenache has always played an important role in winemaking in both Spain and France. And to a lesser extent it is used in Italy under the name “Cannonau”. Although France seems to be the natural birthplace for most great grape varietals and the Grenache grape’s fame and notoriety was definitely spawned from the Southern Rhone wine region in France, this grape’s origin actually comes from Spain and
specifically from the Rioja and Catalonia regions. France probably imported the Grenache grapevines into southern France from Spain after the Phyloxera louse destroyed most of their grapevines. The Grenache grape seems to be more resistant to this pesky vine killer than the other grapevines that were fashionable in France for the day.
In Spain, there are a few wines made entirely from Grenache or Garnacha as it is called there, but by in large, they are mostly used as blending grapes with Tempranillo wines. It is really the wines of France that have brought Grenache to light in the world stage. In the Southern Rhone region of France, Grenache is the most widely planted grape and it is frequently the star or lead grape in such famous wine blends as Chateauneuf du Pape, Gigondas, Cote du Rhone Villages and even in some wines from Vacqueyras. It is also planted in large quantities throughout the rest of Southern France and is the primary grape responsible for two of the most high quality and best known rose’ wines in the world, Tavel and Lirac.
Despite Grenache’s modest successes as a stand alone varietal, it really is well suited to be a blending grape. For one, it buds early on the vine and if harvested late it reaches extremely high alcohol levels. This allows a wine-maker to boost up the alcohol level in the Syrah, Mouvedre, etc… wines that they are making. Another reason why many winemakers are hesitant to use it as a stand-alone varietal is because it is relatively low in pigment and malic acid, which translates into a red wine that oxidizes very rapidly. Therefore, Grenache wines will likely never be wines that age for long periods of time. But it is precisely this quality in Grenache wines that are needed to soften the harder, tannin-edged wines like Syrah.
Because Grenache is such a great blending grape it is easy to see why it is the second most planted grape in the world. However, another reason might be due to the fact that it is a hearty grape and a breeze to grow compared to other finicky wine grapes. Grenache can thrive in hot and dry conditions because it resists heat and can tolerate very limited rainfall. It is a grape that thrives on harsh conditions. This makes Grenache an easy choice for many winemakers that don’t live in the ideal climate and conditions for grapevines. Are you listening to this all you Texas Winemakers? This could be the ideal grape for the hot and arid climate of West Texas. Who knows, with a little experimentation, it could be the grape that puts Texas wines on the wine world map.
Grenache wines typically showcase a wide canvas of flavors. Dark fruits like black currant and blackberry. Red fruits like cherry, plum, mulberry, raisin and strawberry. Bold spices like black pepper, lavender, thyme, menthol or licorice. Along with some short-term bottle aging comes some tobacco leaf, cigar box and dried apricot aromas and flavors. All of these wonderful scents and tastes add up to a wine that is great with food.
Grenache is a dark horse grape that has a ways to go before it wins over the mass market, but many daring and adventurous winemakers are taking the right steps and making enormous strides to get the wine-buying public interested in this grape. The Aussies are already hatching many clever bottle labels that are eye-catching hoping to trigger an impulse buy from a consumer that would not normally buy a wine made from a grape they have never heard of. This strategy is working too! Even California vintners are joining in on the Grenache fad that seems to be silently taking storm. If you haven’t tried a Grenache wine yet, what are you waiting for? Who knows? It might even become your second favorite wine style!
Pampanga Angeles City Fine Dining Restaurant serves classic French Cuisine accompanied by matured vintage wines from Bordeaux, Burgundy and Rhone. This is generally regarded as the best restaurant in Clark Pampanga and is also well known for having the best wine list in the Philippines.
More and more guests from Manila travel out of town north to Clark Pampanga to wine and dine in famous fine dining Yats Restaurant & Wine Bar while enjoying fine vintage wine. Best place to go for a romantic dinner near Manila is Yats Restaurant & Wine Bar in Pampanga Clark Freeport. This cozy fine dining restaurant is a good night out place where couples can indulge not only in the romantic ambience but also treat themselves to a truly memorable wine-and-dine evening.
Residents of Pampanga Angeles City, Subic, Tarlac and Clark Philippines know of this fine dining restaurant as one of the best places in Clark, a good night out place and simply the best place to hang out, enjoy some good wine, cheese, wine and dine in a restaurant with good atmosphere, or just relax and unwind with friends and family in a cool place. This restaurant in Clark Pampanga is recognized by many to be one of the best fine dining restaurants in the Philippines. Located inside Mimosa Leisure Estate surrounded by golf courses, resorts and a casino, this well known restaurant is frequently visited for its good food and excellent service. Yats Restaurant & Wine Bar is open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner. Private dinners and group gatherings can be organized by advanced reservation.
Family travelers laud Yats Restaurant as the best restaurant in Clark Pampanga for family dinners. Although this frequently visited resto bar is a top rated fine dining restaurant outside Manila, the dining rooms are very children friendly. The ambience is cozy but upscale, beautiful but relaxing also, making this restaurant a dining venue that is highly recommended by event organizers for family gathering, group dinners, social and corporate events.
Private dinners can be accommodated in this famous restaurant located in Mimosa, at the heart of Pampanga Clark Freeport. Private rooms suitable for 4 to 24 can be reserved in advance for company and personal functions and events. This fine dining restaurant is a very popular venue for small wedding receptions, social events, company board meetings and annual parties. Residents of Pampanga frequently travel to Angeles City Clark Freeport to hold special group dinners in this fine dining restaurant.
For comments, inquiries and reservations click on Click here for inquiry and reservations
Restaurant@Yats-International.com
(045) 599-5600
0922-870-5178
0917-520-4401
Ask for Pedro and Rechel
Getting to this fine dining restaurant of Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Pampanga Philippines
How to get to this fine-dining restaurant in Clark Philippines? Once you get to Clark Freeport, go straight until you hit Mimosa. After you enter Mimosa, stay on the left on Mimosa Drive, go past the Holiday Inn and Yats Restaurant (green top, independent 1-storey structure) is on your left. Just past the Yats Restaurant is the London Pub.
Yats Restaurant & Wine Bar
Mimosa Drive past Holiday Inn, Mimosa Leisure Estate,
Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga, Philippines 2023
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 Rea or Chay
For any assistance in planning and organizing a wedding ceremony, indoor or outdoor garden reception or to find other wedding service providers, Click here to contact us click here
For assistance in hotel and resort bookings in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines, log on to
http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com
To buy wine in Manila, Pampanga, Angeles City, Clark or Subic please log on to http://www. ClarkWineCenter.com
To inquire with the highly recommended beach resort hotel in Clark Pampanga visit http://www.ClearwaterPhililippines.com
For more information about Clark, Pampanga, Philippines log on to
http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com
