Garnacha at a glance Also known as: Grenache (France) and Garnatxa (Catalonia)Style: medium to full body, with soft tanninsFlavour: red fruit, pepper, liquorice and herbsServing: 16 to 18 degrees CelsiusPairs with: grilled meat, lamb, stews and tapasKeeping: young and fruity 2 to 3 years, oak-aged often 5 years or moreWhat is Garnacha? Garnacha is a red grape from Spain and one of the most important grapes behind Spanish red wine. It most likely comes from Aragón . The grape has thin skin and copes well with heat and drought, which is why it thrives in warm, dry regions. Old vines give few grapes, but those are all the more concentrated. In Spain Garnacha is often used in blends, but it is also bottled as 100% Garnacha.
What does Garnacha taste like? Garnacha tastes of red fruit such as strawberry, raspberry and cherry, often with a spicy touch of pepper or liquorice. The wine has soft tannins, a round, smooth character and is usually fairly high in alcohol.
Garnacha or Grenache: what is the difference? There is no difference in the grape. Garnacha is the Spanish name, Grenache the French one and Garnatxa the Catalan one. On the label of a Spanish wine you will usually see Garnacha, sometimes Garnacha Tinta.
What types of Garnacha are there? Garnacha differs mainly by region and blend. These are the eleven wines in our range, from light to powerful.
Fruity and approachable The 'Entre Dos Aguas' Tinto from Bodega Taberner Amado is a blend of Garnacha Tinta, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon from Bajo Aragón. The wine is not aged in oak and has ripe berries, herbs and a light floral touch, with soft tannins and fresh acidity. The 'Pas dels Caus' from Bodega Bravo Escós is a blend of Cariñena, Garnacha and Syrah, among others, from Priorat. It smells of raspberries, fennel and lavender and has a mineral finish.
Spicy and rustic Bodega La Zorra makes two blends with Garnacha and the local Rufete in Mogarraz, in the Sierra de Francia. The 'Cabras Pintás' is made from 60% Tempranillo, 30% Rufete and 10% Garnacha, from vines more than 60 years old. You taste sloe, candied plum and herbs. The 'La Vieja Zorra' Selección Especial is structured and elegant, with ripe dark fruit, vanilla and fine cocoa.
Juicy and full The 'Les Camades' from Priorat is a blend of Cariñena, Garnacha and Syrah, among others, from older vines. It ages in terracotta amphorae and French oak barrels and smells of blackberry, wild strawberry and plum. The 'Entre Dos Aguas' Tinto Barrique ages for twelve months in French oak and is full and round, with dark fruit and herbs. The Sierra Almagrera Crianza Tinto from Bodega Sierra Almagrera in Almería is a blend of Syrah, Tempranillo, Monastrell and Garnacha. It ages for twelve months in French oak and then another year in the cellar.
Pure and elegant: 100% Garnacha The 'La Roca de l'Abellar' comes from a single vineyard in Porrera in Priorat, with vines of about thirty years old. The wine ages for fourteen months in terracotta amphorae and is silky soft, with lavender, rosemary and thyme. The 'Galáctico' from Bodegas Heras Cordón comes from vines planted in 1920 at about 700 metres in Alesón, in Rioja. It ages for eleven months in French oak and smells of orange blossom, strawberry and cherry. The Requiebro Garnacha from Bodega Amadís de Gaula grows at 1,050 metres in Castilla-La Mancha, ages for twelve months in French oak and is powerful yet velvety, with ripe red and black fruit.
Rare The 'Rarísimo' from Bodega La Zorra is a rare wine made from 100% Calabrés (Garnacha Calabresa), from bush vines planted in 1945 and 1950 at 800 metres. Only 1,261 bottles were made of the 2024 vintage. It is mineral and silky, with wild berries, river stone and green tea.
Which one suits you? You like it fruity and approachable. Choose the Entre Dos Aguas Tinto or the Pas dels Caus.
You are looking for spicy and rustic. Choose the Cabras Pintás.
You want juicy and full. Choose the Les Camades.
You like it pure and elegant. Choose a 100% Garnacha, such as the La Roca de l’Abellar or the Galáctico.
You are looking for something rare. Choose the Rarísimo.
Where does Garnacha grow? Garnacha grows across almost all of Spain, mainly in Aragón, Rioja, Navarra and Catalonia. In our range it comes from six regions: Priorat , Rioja , Aragón, Castilla-La Mancha , Almería and Sierra de Salamanca .
Priorat. Bodega Bravo Escós makes Garnacha on slate-rich slopes, often alongside Cariñena.
Rioja. Bodegas Heras Cordón makes the Galáctico from old vines on iron-rich clay soils.
Aragón .
Castilla-La Mancha. Bodega Amadís de Gaula makes the Requiebro at 1,050 metres, where cool nights allow slow ripening.
Almería. Bodega Sierra Almagrera makes the Crianza Tinto on reddish clay and loam soils.
Sierra de Salamanca. Bodega La Zorra makes Garnacha alongside the local Rufete, on slate and granite.
What food goes with Garnacha? Garnacha goes well with grilled meat, lamb, stews and tapas. Young, fruity wines are smooth and easy to enjoy with an informal meal. Powerful wines from Priorat or from old vines call for red meat, game and mature cheese.
Buy Garnacha at ONWINE At ONWINE you buy wine directly from the winemaker, and on our winemakers page you can read who is behind the wine. Shipping is free from 12 bottles from the same winemaker. Want to taste Garnacha first? The Priorat Red Tasting Case includes the Les Camades and the 100% Garnacha La Roca de l’Abellar, among others. Looking for something different? Then take a look at Tempranillo , the other great Spanish red grape, the white Garnacha Blanca or the Antas Garnacha Rosé . You can find more red wine on our Spanish red wine page.
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Frequently asked questions about Garnacha Which wines are 100% Garnacha? Three wines in our range are 100% Garnacha: the La Roca de l’Abellar, the Galáctico and the Requiebro Garnacha. The Rarísimo is 100% Calabrés (Garnacha Calabresa). The other wines are blends with Garnacha.
Is Garnacha a light or a full wine? Garnacha is usually medium to full-bodied, with soft tannins and fairly high alcohol. Wines without oak, such as the Entre Dos Aguas Tinto, are lighter. Wines from old vines and with oak ageing are fuller.
What is the difference between Garnacha and Tempranillo? Garnacha is softer and juicier, with red fruit and soft tannins. Tempranillo often has more structure and firmer tannins. Want to try that grape? Then take a look at our Tempranillo .
How long can you keep Garnacha? A young, fruity Garnacha is best drunk in the first two to three years. Oak-aged wines or wines from old vines can often keep for five years or more. Store the bottles lying down, in a cool, dark place.
