Tasting notes

Ripe red fruits like strawberries and raspberries head into jam territory in the grenache grown in hot climates like the Barossa valley in Australia. In cooler climates, like Sierra de Gredos in Spain, it has herbal and floral notes, and more moderate alcohol. With age, it takes on cinnamon, nutmeg and cough-medicine-type flavours. Oak aging brings vanilla, cloves and usually darker wines.

The texture tends to be soft with gentle tannins, though premium examples from Châteauneuf-dupape are usually more structured.

Serve it cool, even as low as 12C, to bring out the floral notes and reduce heat from the alcohol.