Page 59 - Grapevine Jan-Feb 2020
P. 59
Around The Vineyard
Exploring the Diversity of
European Grenache wine
By: Becky Garrison
G of the world’s most widely planted wine point, Harden describes the wines as “not wine you
renache has the distinction of being one
take home and save, but wine you take home and
grapes. Addi-tionally, this versatile wine
pairs very effectively with food. Grenache wines drink.”
have diverse levels of texture and depth with a Although lower priced Grenache may not be the
slight spiciness that work well with a wide range of sort of wine one ages in a cellar, these wines have
braised, grilled and stewed meats, as well as the a distinguished history that belies their price tag.
milder styles of Asian cuisine. Carbon dating of seeds and leaves discov-ered at
archeological sites indicate Grenache was planted
As part of Feast Portland 2019, a regional food as early as 153 BCE. Most likely, Gre-nache origi-
and drink festival with international appeal, Hoke nated in the region of Spain now known as Aragon,
Harden, SWE Certified Spirits Educator, offered where it goes by the name Garna-cha. However,
an industry presentation into European Grena- some have speculated the grape originated in
che wine. He focused on those wines that range Sardinia, where the grape is called Cannonau.
in cost from $10 to $20. At this reasonable price
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