THE COLOR GUARD – Garnacha (Grenache)
The grape that almost disappeared
Garnacha makes up around 7-8% of La Rioja’s red grape plantings today. Thirty years ago, there was much more of it planted across the region.
In the 1980s and 1990s, many growers replaced their Garnacha vines with Tempranillo, which was easier to sell and more fashionable. But Garnacha has qualities that are becoming more valuable with climate change – it’s drought-resistant and handles heat well.
You’ll find Garnacha vineyards scattered across all three Rioja sub-regions, from around 400 meters elevation up to around 700 meters. The grape tends to produce lower yields than Tempranillo and is prone to poor fruit set after flowering, which historically made it less popular with growers focused on quantity.
In blends, Garnacha adds body, fruitiness, and sweet red fruit flavors. It brings delicate floral aromas and what winemakers call “mid-palate succulence” – that juicy, mouth-filling quality.
The best Garnacha comes from old vines grown with low yields. In Rioja Oriental, where conditions are warmer and drier, the grape shows particularly well. Some producers are now making single-variety Garnacha wines that showcase the grape’s ability to reflect specific terroirs.