Garnacha is a native Spanish grape variety also known as Grenache in France. The second most planted red variety in Spain, it's made as red and rosé (rosado) wines across the north of the country. It's particularly well known in Rioja, Navarra and Priorat where low-yielding, old, bush-vine fruit can produce super-ripe, spicy reds. In Navarra, the variety is most often used to make dry, rosé wines. The Garnacha vine is thought to originate on the Mediterranean island of Sardinia where it's known as Cannonau. Flavours associated with Garnacha include raspberry, plum, leather, blood orange and dried herbs such as rosemary & thyme. Badly made examples of Garnacha can often taste "hot", with the high alcohol levels showing out of balance with the fruit and acidity. The best are sublime!
