Grenache Blanc: 10 Exotic Wines, Serving Tips, Regions

Grenache Blanc, related to the famous red grape Grenache Noir, produces stunning white wine varietals in Southern France, exotic Châteauneuf-du-Pape red blends, and the sweet Vin doux naturel wines.

These wines typically have peach, lychee, and mineral aromas that give way to citrus and stone fruit flavors.

In this article, we’ll explore Grenache Blanc’s characteristics and tasting notes, as well as its 10 best wines. We’ll also share how to serve Grenache Blanc wines, their aging potential, and their regions and winemaking.

Grenache Blanc Characteristics and Tasting Notes

Grenache Blanc is a white-berried cousin of Grenache Noir, the red Grenache grape.

Its wines open with tangerine, white flower, lychee, and subtle mineral aromas. Often associated with ‘Green Richness’, Grenache Blanc wines aged in oak showcase honeysuckle, fenugreek, and brioche aromas.

This white wine variety reveals Asian pear, green apple, and white peach flavors on the palate.

Want to buy a bottle of Grenache Blanc?

10 Irresistible Grenache Blanc Wine Bottles To Buy In 2023

Here’s our handpicked list of the best Grenache Blanc wines, with their tasting notes and prices:

• 2014 Rayas Chateau des Tours Cotes du Rhone Blanc 
• 2017 Terroir Al Limit Soc. Lda. Pedra de Guix
• 1985 Arnaud de Villeneuve Rivesaltes Ambre
• 2015 Mas d'en Gil Coma Blanca
• 2017 La Conreria d'Scala Dei Les Brugueres Blanc
• 2019 Bosman Family Vineyards 'Fides' Grenache Blanc
• 2018 Tablas Creek Vineyards Grenache Blanc
• 2017 Domaine Lafage Cotes du Roussillon Cuvee Centenaire
• 2020 Curran Grenache Blanc
• 2019 Skinner Vineyards Grenache Blanc

1. 2014 Rayas Chateau des Tours Cotes du Rhone Blanc, Rhone, France ($108)

This Rhone Valley vintage has a jammy, ripe fruit aroma. Its palate flaunts berry fruit and mineral notes with seductive richness. 

2. 2017 Terroir Al Limit Soc. Lda. Pedra de Guix, Priorat DOCa, Spain ($64)

This white wine gives apple, lemon pith, and honey aromas. It has an austere palate with chalky tannins and a salty mouthfeel. 

3. 1985 Arnaud de Villeneuve Rivesaltes Ambre, Languedoc-Roussillon, France ($52)

This Grenache Blanc offers dried mango, apricot, and candied orange aromas. Its palate displays stone fruit and rancio notes, citric acidity, and a long finish.

4. 2015 Mas d'en Gil Coma Blanca, Priorat DOCa, Spain ($49)

This white wine’s earthy flavor notes and full-bodied palate perfectly complement its red fruit and violet aromas.

5. 2017 La Conreria d'Scala Dei Les Brugueres Blanc, Priorat DOCa, Spain ($42)

Here’s a spectacular white wine with black fruit, licorice, and menthol scents. Its palate boasts a beautiful combination of lively acidity and fine-milled tannins.

6. 2019 Bosman Family Vineyards 'Fides' Grenache Blanc, Wellington, South Africa ($15)

This amber-gold wine features orange peel and marzipan fragrances. On the palate, it reveals hints of bruised apple and potpourri.

7. 2018 Tablas Creek Vineyards Grenache Blanc, Paso Robles, USA ($33)

This vintage from the Tablas Creek vineyard presents a fresh palate with pome fruit flavor notes. On the nose, it unravels crushed chalk and white flower aromas.

8. 2017 Domaine Lafage Cotes du Roussillon Cuvee Centenaire, France ($21)

This white wine presents a bouquet of grapefruit, citrus, and mineral aromas. Its guava and melon flavors culminate in a lemony finish.

9. 2020 Curran Grenache Blanc, Santa Ynez Valley, USA ($21)

Ripe mango, white peach, and passion fruit hints characterize this wine’s nose. Its palate is medium-bodied, with balanced acidity and a crisp finish.

10. 2019 Skinner Vineyards Grenache Blanc, El Dorado, USA ($21)

Here’s a Grenache Blanc with raspberry, citrus pith, and oolong tea aromas. Its palate displays raspberry, sweet cream, and granite flavors.

Now let’s see how to serve these wines best.

How To Serve Grenache Blanc Wines

Serve your Grenache Blanc chilled, at 45°F–50°F (7°C–10°C), in a white wine glass. 

Chilling the white wine keeps its fresh flavors, bright acidity, and delicate aromas intact while minimizing the intensity of its high alcohol level.

Spicy Asian, Spanish, and Moroccan dishes featuring fish or meat will pair excellently with Grenache Blanc. Try pairing the wine with baked Asian pear or green apple crumble if you have a sweet tooth. 

Aging Potential Of Grenache Blanc Wines

Grenache Blanc varietal wines can age well for 1-5 years when stored in a dark, cool place — high temperature and sunlight can oxidize the wine.

 Blended Grenache Blanc wines, however, can age longer.

We’ll take a tour of the main Grenache Blanc wine regions next.

Key Grenache Blanc Regions

While Grenache Blanc originated in Spain, France grows the most Grenache Blanc vines globally, accounting for almost two-thirds of the worldwide production. 

This Grenache grape variety is the fifth most cultivated variety in the country, after Trebbiano, Chardonnay, Semillon, and Sauvignon Blanc. 

In France, the Rhône Valley produces Grenache Blanc as blend with Roussanne and Marsanne. Winemakers in Cotes du Rhône also add this white wine grape to their red wine blends to impart texture and floral characteristics. 

Grenache Blanc vines grow abundantly in the Catalonia, Aragón, Priorat, and Terra Alta regions of Spain, where the grape variety is called Garnacha Blanca.

Fun Fact: Grenache Blanc is known as the White Grenache in Australia and Garnatxa Blanca in Catalonia (Spain).

Grenache Blanc grapes are also widely popular in the United States, growing abundantly in the Napa Valley, the San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara appellations, and the Columbia Valley.

Let’s now explore the winemaking process of Grenache Blanc wines.

Grenache Blanc: Winemaking

Once the Grenache Blanc grapes are picked and pressed, they undergo fermentation, usually at low temperatures. The low temperatures contribute to the Grenache Blanc’s fresh palate and delicate aromas.

Some winemakers may also use malolactic fermentation, oak aging, and lees stirring while preparing Grenache Blanc wines.

Enjoy A Bottle Of Grenache Blanc Wine At Your Next Dinner

Grenache Blanc wines are a palate pleaser gaining popularity in both varietal and blended forms. It’s the perfect wine to pair with your spicy foods.

However, Grenache Blanc wines have low aging potential and aren’t investment-worthy.

If you’re a wine enthusiast looking for investment-grade wines, visit the Vinovest website. Vinovest is an AI-based platform that helps you buy, store, and sell investment-grade wine bottles from across the world.