Sometimes there are grapes that are part of the wines we love that just don't get any recognition. In fact, we don't even know they're in the bottle! Like Grenache.
This grape loves hot dry weather so there's lots of it planted in Southern France and Spain, where it's called Garnacha. The neat thing is it ripens with lots of sugar content.
Know what that means? Well it can be fermented to pack a wallop of flavor, and of course, alcohol. Often that's not good on its own, but great for blending with other grapes to make full bodied and lush wine.
In France it's the main grape in Chateaunuef du Pape, the classic Rhone blend.
And in Spain it's the soul of the yummy wines from the Priorato area near Barcelona.
Each grape has its own personality. Grenache is that unassuming type that seems to fit in well with about any group and who adds to the texture and liveliness of the party.
Pop the Cork™.
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