Resilient, Versatile and Heartwarming
We hear about Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay all the time, but these are not the only noble grapes worthy of our attention. Amongst the unsung heroes, you’ll find the exciting grape, Grenache.
Grenache is the 7th most planted red variety on the planet, and it has also found a home in Australia
. We can describe this extraordinary variety in three words: Resilient, Versatile and Heartwarming.
Resilient – The red grape thrives where few others can’t; it is king in the warmest and sunniest 
vineyards in the world! The thin-skinned variety is adapted to some of the driest and arid landscapes where the intense heat proves to be too much for common varieties to take, but not for Grenache. The grape loves it here!
Versatile – Although wine made exclusively with Grenache is attractively rustic, spicy and delicious, winemakers love to blend Grenache with other varieties. The famous GSM blend (Grenache-Syrah- Mourvèdre) relies on Grenache’s versatility to create blended wines larger than the sum of their parts. Grenache has a divine role in the blends for famous wines like Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Priorat and Rioja.
Heartwarming – Grenache vines 
love to grow in warm wine regions. That means it always shows a noticeable alcoholic warmth, comforting ripe fruit aromas and attractive spices over a palate blessed by smooth and silky tannins just as this beautiful wine pictured here, crafted by Australia’s second oldest winery, Nikola Estate.
My tasting notes:
Attractive red berries aromas: raspberries, strawberries, cranberries and cherry cola complemented by Rose petals notes. The mouth feel is lovely and bright delivering cherries, raspberries, plums and strawberries enhanced by savoury spice. Nice acidity and smooth Powdery tannin on the finish.
Pairing:
Grenache is a great partner for several dishes, from fast food to slow-cooked meats to salads and cheeses. Nikola Grenache 2021is full of charms and can be enjoyed with mushroom risotto, BBQ’d or slow cooked pork, beef, lamb, chicken, Coq au Vin (chicken marinated in red wine), grilled eggplant, Manchego, Gouda, Brie, cheddar cheeses.
Where can you find this bottle of wine?
I’ve just found out that this Regional Grenache 2021 won Gold Medal at the wine show of Western Australia 2021 ~ Well done, Nikola!
For availability, head over to Nikola Estate web page or visit their cellar door at The Swan valley wine region.
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