Grenache Day - Wednesday, September 18, 2024

Deep within Aragon, a region in the north of Spain, a deep purple-red jewel dangles in bunches from vibrant green leaves. It has grown in the warm sun of its native land, filling with a characteristic berry type sweetness and just a touch of spiciness that makes it incredibly interesting to fans of wine.

This is the Grenache Grape, and it was once known as the Red of Aragon (Tinto Aragonés), and Grenache Day celebrates its august history and the contributions it made to some of the world’s most delightful wines.

History of Grenache Day

As mentioned, the Grenache takes its origins from the Aragon region of northern Spain, and from there has spread out to be cultivated in Sardinia, Southern France, San Joaquin Valley in California, and Australia.

This grape has such an amazingly diverse flavor profile throughout its life, from raspberry/strawberry with a white pepper spice note in its early life, to aging in the wine to produce leathery and tar flavors. While such flavors may sound unpleasant to those who aren’t oenophiles (lovers of wine), they can be a point of delightful interest for those who make wine their passion.

The Grenache Association established Grenache Day to celebrate this grape and all the varieties and vintages of wine that were produced from it. In fact, over the ages that have passed since it first began being used and cultivated, new varieties have appeared.

Grenache noir “red Granche” is the most commonly known, but there’s also Grenache Blanc and of such importance that it ranks on the fourth most planted white wine in France. There’s even one called “Hairy Grenache” developed to protect itself from transpiration through the same underleaf fuzz mechanic present in rosemary and other plants of the Mediterranean. Grenache Day gives you the opportunity to explore this wine, its history, and become just a little bit of an oenophile for a day.

How to celebrate Grenache Day

The best way to celebrate Grenache Day is to spread the gospel of Grenache. Host an event on Grenache Day, get friends together and share some of your favorite Grenache vintages, or even host one at your local restaurant. There’s never a bad time or place to help let people know about this amazing grape and all the wines produced from it.

If you run a vinery of your own, you can host an event and let people know about it. You can explain how your wines are blended, what you add and what characteristics they add, and how you select what years Grenache should just stand on its own in a vintage. On Grenache Day, show your pride and your good taste with a glass of Grenache!