Grenache is one of the world’s most widely grown grape varieties. And one of our favourite grapes.It is found mainly in southern France and in Spain (Garnacha), but also in several other countries such as South Africa, Chile, and the United States. Everywhere there is a growing interest in the grape. It even has its own day. Next Grenache day is 16th of September 2016. Don’t forget!
In the southern Rhone Valley, near the town of Orange, there is a conservatory with 350 clones of Grenache mainly from old vines in the Rhone Valley but also from Sardinia and Spain. Here the researchers study the various clones to select those that are resistant to certain diseases or give a low yield.
Recently the conservatory has identified a clone with small grapes that has several interesting properties: low yield, insensitivity to coulure and botrytis, relatively low alcohol content (13-14%, low for Grenache), high levels of anthocyanin. The clone is now being multiplied.
Read more on mon-viti.com.
