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Rebirth of an Australian Classic
As one of the original varieties planted in Australia, there are many vineyard sites, especially in McLaren Vale and Barossa Valley, with Grenache vines dating back to the late 1800s.
After seeing a decline in plantings between 2000 and 2010, Grenache is experiencing a recent resurgence based on new styles, with the popular ‘GSM’ blend being the most popular Grenache-based wine in Australian exports.
This versatile variety lends itself well to rosé style wines, which are increasing in popularity particularly among younger generations.
The growth in demand for Australian Grenache has seen the price of Grenache grapes increase from $577 per tonne in 2014 to $986 per tonne in 2019. In 2020, the average value of Grenache grapes exceeded that of Shiraz in McLaren Vale for the first time.
Grenache Variety Snapshot 2023-24
Variety snapshots are one-page profiles of individual Australian winegrape varieties and provide at-a-glance summary statistics on: viticulture data, winegrape production, winegrape price, key producing regions and export sales data compared against the same statistics for all wine grape varieties.
Download nowIn the vineyard
- Grenache is an early budding late ripening variety so is well suited to warmer zones
- It is a vigorous variety that can yield prolifically
- If over-cropped the wines can be simple and basic – keeping yields low results in higher quality, better structured wines
In the winery
- Use of cold soaks prior to fermentation for aroma enhancement
- Whole cluster and stem inclusion techniques being used for structure and aromatics
- Extended post-fermentation maceration for tannin integration and savouriness
- Larger format barrels for ageing
- Older (neutral) oak barrels for maturation
Major regional expressions
Barossa Valley
- Barossa is home to the oldest productive Grenache vineyards in the world
- Medium to full-bodied, richly textured wines with red fruit, earth and white pepper character
- Very important as the backbone to GSM blends
McLaren Vale
- Many old vine vineyards scattered throughout the region
- Medium to full-bodied wines with rich texture ripe juicy fruit, and spice
In the glass
Style and character
Pairs with
Grilled meats, game, lighter curries, light to moderately spiced dishes, charcuterie.