Grenache grapes growing

16th September 2016 | Pairings & Recipes

Pairing Food with Grenache

By Virgin Wines

In my previous ramblings about Grenache (or Garnacha as it’s known in Spain) I briefly mentioned a few of my favourite foods to enjoy with this wine but looking back I don’t think I really did it justice. So today I’m going to look a bit more closely at the food I enjoy with a glass of Grenache.

So let’s get down to business and talk about food.

It may be getting a bit late for this year but, when the barbecue season comes round again, keep an eye out for a Spanish Garnacha to enjoy. Pure Garnacha seems to have a special affinity with the smokiness of barbecued meats.  A good choice would be Senorio de Unx Navarra Vinas Viejas Garnacha if there’s any left by then.

But with autumn here and the nights definitely drawing in thoughts probably turn more to steak pie and bangers and mash. For the ultimate comfort food you can’t go wrong with a warming beef stew enjoyed in front of the telly. My personal favourite is Jamie Oliver’s version, which you can find by clicking HERE. These are all excellent with a nice Côtes du Rhône. Something like Domaine Andre Brunel Cotes du Rhône would go down a treat, and is an excellent wine to add during the cooking, if you can bear to pour it into the food rather than into the cook!

And before you start thinking that you’ve got to be a meat-eater to enjoy Grenache, think again. I came across this delicious veggie stew which uses a bit of smoked paprika which works incredibly well with the same wine.

Posh Nosh

When it comes to a proper sit-down meal, whether it’s a family roast or a dinner party, Grenache also has its place. For roast chicken or turkey or even pork, a Châteauneuf du Pape such as Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Speciale is a definite candidate.  But here’s a sneaky little trick – you could go for a wine made by one of the top Châteauneuf producers, in exactly the same way as his famous Châteauneuf wine, but without the Châteauneuf name. Have a look at Domaine Andre Brunel Vin de Pays de Vaucluse This is Châteauneuf in all but name but – thanks to the obsessively restrictive French wine laws – at half the price!

For beef and more richly flavoured meals a bit more depth and fruit can work well so keeping the same combination as you’d find in a Châteauneuf but moving to a slightly warmer climate is the way to go. Here I’d go for a ‘GSM’ blend (Grenache/Shiraz/Mourvedre) like Perez Cruz Potrero Seco Block GSM

Final Thoughts on Grenache

At the end of the day the best food and wine combinations are those that work for YOU. We all have different tastes and these suggestions are the ones that work for me and I hope you’ll agree. So give Grenache a go, either on its own or in a blend. But here’s where Virgin Wines really stands out. If you do try a wine and you find that you don’t like it, we’ll give you your money back. So there’s absolutely no risk in trying something new and experimenting to find your perfect combinations.