The Shape of Grenache Blanc
Each spoke runs from delicate (centre) to pronounced (edge). Tap a benchmark to lay a familiar grape over the top.
More About Grenache Blanc
(Pronounced “gruh-NASH BLAHN”)
Grenache Blanc is a "Superhero." It's full-bodied, charming, juicy, rich, nutty, spicy, and usually invisible. Sound too good to be true? Well, that's because it's a mutant. Like Marvel Comic's X-Men, developing unique traits over time fighting for peace and equality, Grenache Blanc's superpower crosses borders while elevating everything it touches to a higher level. Genetically, Grenache Blanc is a color mutation of Grenache Noir, AKA Grenache; its better known "twin" and shares an identical DNA profile.
Who's Producing Grenache Blanc?
Grenache Blanc is most famous for its role in France's Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Côtes du Rhône, and the Languedoc-Roussillon regions where it's permitted to be blended with all 13 Rhône varietals both white and red! However, it's in Spain where it's considered a real hero—cultivated throughout the country. Here it's found in the fantastic destinations of Navarra, Terra Alta, Alella, Rioja Costers del Segre, Tarragona, Aragón, and Rioja, where it's called Garnatxa Blanca, as well as in Cariñena, Calatayud, and Somontano; and blended with Viura, Parellada, Moscatel and Malvasia.
Terroir
As you may have gathered, Grenache Blanc is a great team player that makes good wines even better, especially when teamed with Roussanne and Marsanne. Like most superheroes, it's a showoff, being excellent at expressing its terroir. When nurtured in a warm, dry climate and planted in a mix of sand, limestone, and clay, Grenache Blanc produces a medium-sized, compact bunch of small berries with crisp acidity and mineral expression of its roots. Unchecked, it can get "fat and flabby," reaching high-flying alcohol levels up to 15%, and in France, that's when it ends up in fortified and Vin Doux Naturel wines.
For years Grenache Blanc has been vinified as a single varietal in Spain and France. Still, it wasn't until 1992 when it was planted in California's Central Coast that its individual traits became recognized for the rest of the world. At that time, famed Châteauneuf-du-Pape producer Château Beaucastel and the United States wine importer Vineyard Brands grafted Grenache Blanc vines on to rootstock at Tablas Creek Vineyards in Paso Robles. Pow! Success! After that, it didn't take long for other New World winemakers trying to meet the demand for alternative whites beyond Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc to follow suit. Now, Grenache Blanc is cultivated in Napa Valley, Santa Ynez Valley, El Dorado County, the Shenandoah Valley, the Russian River Valley, Red Hill Lake County, Monterey County, Applegate Valley, and Yakima Valley. While still a generous contributor to blended wines wherever planted, when vinified alone, it's usually made dry, varying widely from lightly flavored, mineral-infused expressions to lush and dense.
Grenache Blanc Tasting Notes
At its best Grenache Blanc is a delicious full-bodied wine that's typically vinified dry. In the glass, it's straw-colored amid hints of green and aromas of toasted nuts, cumin, nutmeg, dill, and anise. Fresh underbrush raises to white flowers, yellow peach, lychee, tangerine, and subtle mineral. Its aromatics carry through to its taste, with medium to high alcohol, and can have a creamy texture when aged on its lees.
Food Pairing Grenache Blanc
Grenache Blanc's refined and intricate flavor profile makes it well suited for richly seasoned dishes. The secret to complementing cuisine with Grenache Blanc is to consider its spiced hints and rich texture, remember not to go too spicy; bouillabaisse, oily fish like sardines, tuna and mackerel cod, ceviche, miso soup, Raman, nut crusted baked goat cheese, roasted pork with apples, Chinese chicken salad, spicy peanut sauce, orange chicken, salsa Verde, white bean salad, turnip gratin, summer vegetable stew, stuffed zucchini flowers, Korean fish sausage, buttered corn on the cob, patatas bravas, escargots with garlic butter and crab cakes are a few dishes that will make Grenache Blanc soar.
Current Countries Producing Grenache Blanc
Spain
France
Italy, Sardinia
Croatia
Macedonia
Australia
South Africa
USA
Notable Grenache Blanc Producers by Country
Spain
La Sastreria, Carinena
Espelt Vailet, Emporda
Jordi Oliver Conti 'JOC', Emporda
Artadi Artazu 'Santa Cruz de Artazu' o, Navarra
Flor de San Martin Garnacha, Navarra
Scala Dei - Massipa de Scala Dei, Priorat
Terroir Al Limit Soc. Lda. Historico, Priorat
Terroir Al Limit Soc. Lda. Pedra de Guix, Priorat
Bodegas Exeo Cifras, Rioja DOCa
Vinas del Vero La Miranda de Secastilla, Somontano
Edetària Selecció Blanc, Terra Alta
Bodegas Edetaria 'Edetaria' Seleccio Vinyes Velleso, Terra Alta
Celler Barbara Fores El Quinta, Terra Alta
Celler Frisach l'Abrunet, Terra Alta
Celler Pinol L'Avi Arrufi Fermentat en Barrica, Terra Alta
Herencia Altes Benufet, Terra Alta
Herencia Altes Garnatxa, Terra Alta
Herencia Altes La Serra, Terra Alta
France
Mas de Lavail Le Sud, IGP Cotes Catalanes
Felicette, IGP Pays d'Oc
Francois Lurton 'Les Hauts de Janeil', IGP Pays d'Oc
Arnaud de Villeneuve Rivesaltes Ambre, Languedoc-Roussillon
Bruno Duchene Collioure Vall Pompo, Languedoc-Roussillon
Domaine Cazes Rivesaltes Ambre, Languedoc-Roussillon
Domaine Cazes Rivesaltes Cuvee Aime Cazes, Languedoc-Roussillon
Julie Brosselin 'Mata Hari', Languedoc-Roussillon
Les Vignerons du Terrassous Rivesaltes Ambre Hors d'Age 12 Ans, Languedoc-Roussillon
Domaine l'Anglore Sels d'Argent, Rhone
Famille Brechet Chateau de Vaudieu Chateauneuf-du-Pape Le Clos du Belvedere, Rhone
Ferraton Pere & Fils Cotes du Rhone Samorens, Rhone
Rayas Chateau des Tours Cotes du Rhone, Rhone
South Africa
The Foundry, Stellenbosch
Rall Wines, Swartland
USA
The Valley Project, Santa Ynez Valley
Kunin Wines, Santa Barbara
Priest Ranch, Napa Valley
Kinero Cellars Alice, Paso Robles
Linne Calodo 'Contrarian', Paso Robles
Tablas Creek Vineyards, Paso Robles
Two Shepherds 'Centime' Catie's Corner Skin Fermented, Russian River Valley
Ambyth Estate, San Luis Obispo County
Curran, Santa Ynez Valley
Mt. Vernon Winery Cuvee, Sierra Foothills
Reynvaan Family Vineyards Estate, Walla Walla Valley
Rotie Cellars, Washington
Rulo Winery, Yakima Valley
Red Rhône Grapes
Syrah
Grenache
Mourvedre
Cinsault
Counoise
Muscardin
Vaccarese
Picpoul Noir
Terret Noir
White Rhone Grapes
White Rhône Grapes
Roussanne
Marsanne
Viognier
Bourboulenc
Clairette
Grenache Blanc
Picpoul Blanc
Picardan
Muscat-Blanc
Learn About These Other Wine Grape Varieties
Jeff or “JB” is a native to the San Francisco Bay area and wants to live in a world where wine is served with every meal. As a beverage and food professional with more than 20 years of experience, he’s contributed to The Food Lover’s Guide to Wine; The Pho Cookbook (James Beard Award Best Signal Subject 2018); Unforgettable: The Bold Flavors of Paula Wolfert's Renegade Life (James Beard Award Lifetime Achievement Award 2018); Manresa: An Edible Reflection; Happiness is on the Plate: Episode #1; Wine Spectator; Wine Enthusiast; The Wall Street Journal; San Francisco Chronicle; and GQ Magazine. When he’s not “tasting” and eating he’s writing about food and beverage or developing recipes in his laboratory (AKA: kitchen).
Taste Grenache Blanc at the Source
Grenache Blanc is tied to a handful of regions. Explore each as a travel destination — with wineries, tours and guides.
Chêne Bleu
La Verrière is uniquely situated at an elevation of 550 meters (1,800 feet) within a UNESCO biosphere reserve in the shadow of the Mont Ventoux. Typical of other high elevation areas, there is very little ...
Explore Chêne Bleu →Wineries Known for Grenache Blanc
Estates specializing in Grenache Blanc, open for tastings.
Chêne Bleu
Celler Devinssi
Chateau Tumbleweed
Folded Hills Winery, Ranch & Farmstead
Niner Wine Estates
Château La Coste
Dineen Vineyards
Jada Vineyard & Winery
Grenache Blanc: Frequently Asked Questions
What does Grenache Blanc taste like?
Grenache Blanc is a full-bodied white with flavors of green apple, pear, white peach, and citrus, plus subtle notes of fennel, dried herbs, and honey. It has relatively low acidity, a round, creamy texture, and can develop nutty, mineral complexity with age or oak.
Is Grenache Blanc sweet or dry?
Grenache Blanc is made as a dry white wine. It shows ripe orchard-fruit flavors and a rich, weighty mouthfeel rather than sweetness. Its comparatively low acidity gives a soft, rounded impression, but there is no residual sugar in typical still versions from the Rhône and Spain.
What foods pair with Grenache Blanc?
Grenache Blanc's fuller body and low acidity pair well with richer dishes like roast chicken, grilled fish, seafood pasta, and creamy sauces. It complements Mediterranean fare, herb-roasted vegetables, and soft cheeses. The subtle herbal notes suit dishes seasoned with fennel, thyme, or olive oil.
What wines are made from Grenache Blanc?
Grenache Blanc is a key blending grape in white Rhône wines such as Châteauneuf-du-Pape blanc and Côtes du Rhône, usually alongside Roussanne, Marsanne, and Clairette. In Spain (Garnacha Blanca) it stars in Terra Alta and Priorat, and it makes varietal wines in California.
Where is Grenache Blanc grown?
Grenache Blanc is widely planted in France's southern Rhône Valley and Languedoc-Roussillon, and in northeastern Spain, particularly Catalonia's Terra Alta and Priorat. It also grows in Sardinia and increasingly in California, where warm-climate producers value its ripe fruit and rich, textured palate.
How should I serve Grenache Blanc?
Serve Grenache Blanc lightly chilled, around 50-55°F, slightly warmer than a crisp white so its rich texture and orchard fruit show fully. Use a standard white-wine glass. Youthful, fresh examples are best, though oaked or blended versions can develop over a few years.
