Tempering the Vines Leads to Great Wine from Grenache Blanc

This grape is used extensively as Grenache Blanc wine in Chateauneuf du Pape. I was first introduced to this grape as Garnacha Blanca, the Spanish version. It is commonly found in white wines from both countries and the Spanish refer to it using both names.

It is a not a picky grape, but it takes a picky winegrower to grow it well. It actually grows well on hot, windy hills, but if it isn't tempered, the wine is poor.

It develops a heavy, dull, flabby wine. So the most successful winegrowers of this grape will grow smaller yields than the grape can offer. This leads to wines that have citrus, honey stone fruit, and almond flavors.

It is one of the grapes blended with Verdejo in Rueda and it is blended with Rousanne in Chateauneuf du Pape for their whites. It offers a fullness that rounds out these types of white wines.

Definitely one to enjoy on a hot summer evening.

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