Grenache Blanc
Grenache Blanc is a white mutation of Grenache Noir, originating in Spain, where it is known as Garnacha Blanca. Today it is firmly established in southern France, particularly in Roussillon, Languedoc and the Rhône Valley. The variety thrives in poor, dry soils and is well adapted to heat and wind.
Grenache Blanc produces generous, full-bodied and structured wines, typically low in acidity but with plenty of richness. The nose offers notes of ripe pear, white peach and hawthorn, sometimes joined by fennel or beeswax. On the palate, Grenache Blanc is characterised by its fullness and length, with a rich, sometimes oily texture that can develop honeyed or gently oxidative notes depending on the winemaking. It is also widely used in blends to add body and richness, particularly in southern French whites, although single-variety wines can reveal the grape’s full potential.
Several estates have made Grenache Blanc a particular focus, exploring expressions that range from fine and elegant to powerful and oak-aged, including Clos des Papes, Château des Tours and Château de Beaucastel.
