Fall into Fall with Grenache – Wine Wednesday

Fall into Fall with Grenache

Story by Jordan Lacenski

Written while sipping on 90 Borsao 2008 Tres Picos

Fall is officially here. Halloween candy is on the shelves, and pumpkin flavored everything is being served with cinnamon and spice. On the Emerald Coast, we may not yet feel a crispness in the air, or see red leaves on the branches of trees, but we can make up for it with bigger flavor and color in our wine glass. If you’re looking for a more robust grape, consider a Grenache varietal.

This friendly grape spends its summer basking in the sun, something we can relate to. It is easy to grow, easy to ferment, and easy drinking. If the sun is shining, Grenache will grow, and grow plentiful. It is known to bre resistant to elements, resilient.

Although they are one of the most widely planted red wine grapes, they require patience, needing to hang for a while before picking. Grenache offers rich color and flavors of molten chocolate, pepper, and dark fruits. If picked too young, or pressed too intensely, the result is more herbal.

Originating in Spain, it continues to lead the vines in the southern Rhône and southern France. It has come to thrive in South Australia and California. Known as Garnacha or Cannonau in other parts of the world, it blends perfectly in very popular wines such as Châteauneuf-du-Pape. If Rosé is more your speed, you can still toast to Grenache which is commonly used in many blush wines.

Because of the high sugar levels and acidity at harvest, it has some of the highest natural alcohol levels. From California’s simple, fruity, paler wines, to the French intense, brilliant ruby wines, Grenache-based wines will stand up to any fall recipe, whether it’s a spicy chili or roasted squash.

Here on 30a, we warm up next to beach bonfires instead of our fireplaces. We recommend you welcome fall around a fire surrounded by close friends. Dig your toes in the sand, and watch the sky light up with the bright reds and oranges of the sunset as you pour yourself a glass of something a little heavier, a littler darker. Fall into fall with something different, perhaps a Grenache.
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Cheers. Proost. Sláinte. Salute. Salud.

– Jordan Lacenski: Founder & Chief Innovation Officer of BrandBoss Creative