Read on Twitter
THREAD on Grenache, illustrated by this handsome head-trained, dry-farmed vine in the vineyard block we call Scruffy Hill. At ~15 years, it's just reaching maturity and will produce for decades. Here are some key things to know about the world's seventh-most-planted grape. 1/
Originally from Spain, there are now also significant plantings of Grenache in France, Australia, Italy, and California, where 4271 acres were planted as of 2019. 591 of those are in San Luis Obispo County, and most of those in Paso Robles. 2/
Those 591 acres in SLO County are the 2nd-most of any county in California, after Madera County. The ~2500 acres of Grenache in the Central Valley are mostly a remnant of the era when Grenache was the core component of field blends for jug wines. https://tablascreek.typepad.com/tablas/2011/12/a-tale-of-two-grenaches.html 3/
In France, Grenache makes up roughly two-thirds of the acreage of Cotes du Rhone and almost 75% of acreage in Chateauneuf-du-Pape. A few Chateauneufs are famous for making 100% Grenache bottlings, most notably Chateau Rayas. @Beaucastel typically uses 35%-40% in their CdP. 4/
There are white (Grenache Blanc) and pink (Grenache Gris) variants, in addition to Grenache Noir. Grenache Blanc has proven to be a revelation here in the Central Coast, and at 636 acres is now the second-most-planted white Rhone in CA after Viognier. https://tablascreek.typepad.com/tablas/2016/05/grenache-blancs-moment-in-the-sun.html 5/
Much of the production of Grenache around the Mediterranean is used to make some of the world's best rosés. Our Patelin de Tablas Rosé is typically about three-quarters Grenache, w/ additions of Mourvedre and Counoise for spice and other fruit tones. https://tablascreek.com/wines/2019_patelin_de_tablas_rose_ 6/
Grenache famously produces wines high in sugar and acid, giving wines its balance of lush fruit, refreshing acidity, and (often) high alcohol. The high acid is what makes it so valuable for rosés, particularly when picked a little on the early side to limit sugar/alcohol. 7/
Upright and vigorous in its growth pattern, Grenache is ideal for "Gobelet" pruning (head-training) but can be grown in just about any way you'd like. We have great blocks that are pruned double-cordon, with 3 spurs per cordon. Its vigor also makes it ideal for dry-farming. 8/
Grenache is the lead grape in our Cotes de Tablas each year, and typically the #2 grape in our Esprit de Tablas, Patelin de Tablas, and Panoplie blends. Do you have a favorite way to enjoy Grenache? Red or pink? Solo or blended? Crunchy or lush? Please share! 9&END OF THREAD/
