Grenache: The Ambassador of Terroir
by Tom Wolf
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A colleague of mine once asked Daniel Brunier of Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe to compare the expressions of Grenache from his famed vineyards that stretch across different corners of the Vaucluse, in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and beyond. Daniel, who is among the more self-assured vignerons you’ll meet, seemed briefly at a rare loss for words. Then he said, “This is the question of my life. Grenache has this incredible ability to be a kind of print of the soil. The Grenache from those places is so different.”
Consider not only these differences of place, but also the creative ways that a vigneron utilizes the grape (and its lighter-hued relatives, Grenache Blanc and Gris) in a blend. Grenache yields an astounding range of experiences—from dense and soulful to light and more ethereal—not just red, but white, rosé, and even dessert wines.
What ties the wines in this collection together—all of which are at least half Grenache and made in southern France, Corsica, Sicily, or Sardinia, where the variety is called Cannonau—is the quintessentially “earthbound” quality of the grape: its uncanny ability to convey the soil and the fragrant garrigue that rises out of it and so often surrounds the vines in these parts. All these wines are beautiful ambassadors of their terroirs.
Grenache: The Ambassador of Terroir
by Tom Wolf
This offer has expired; click here to shop today’s sale!
Daniel Brunier
© Madison H. Brown
The Piedlong vineyard, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
© Madison H. Brown
© Domaine Leccia
Giovanni Monstisci
© Domaine Montisci
Vineyards at Château La Roque
© Gail Skoff
Tomorrow’s collection features Vermentino, an undeniably noble grape that abounds around the Mediterranean Basin.
Wines In The Collection
Maxime Magnon France | Languedoc-Roussillon
Just different and obscure enough to deliver the thrill of introducing someone to a gorgeous wine that is familiar, but new.
Domaine Gramenon France | Southern Rhône
Deep, dynamic Grenache feels aptly highlighted by bright and fresh Clairette. Soft and rich, yet still defined.
Famille Brunier France | Southern Rhône
At once robust, succulent, and elegant, this red offers immediate pleasure and age-worthy promise.
Domaine La Tour Vieille France | Languedoc-Roussillon
With its aromas of toasted almonds and butterscotch, the resulting bone-dry wine is nothing short of enthralling.
Domaine La Tour Vieille France | Languedoc-Roussillon
If you can’t make it to the south of France this year, here’s a way to bring the Mediterranean sun to you.
Gaël Petit France | Southern Rhône
This bears a rich bouquet of wild strawberry, flowers, garrigue, and sweet spices, culminating in a long, stony finale.
Domaine Hauvette France | Provence
A thoroughbred of pure Grenache, this unbridled rouge is fresh and lithe, teeming with juicy dark fruit and ample goût de terroir.
Domaine Gramenon France | Southern Rhône
La Sagesse carries the full flavor, succulence, and savoriness we associate with Grenache on a graceful and lively frame.
Grottafumata Italy | Sicily
Grottafumata’s first release from the “Vigna degli Architetti” delivers deep, ripe fruit with elegance and grace.
France | Languedoc-Roussillon
Just different and obscure enough to deliver the thrill of introducing someone to a gorgeous wine that is familiar, but new.
France | Southern Rhône
Deep, dynamic Grenache feels aptly highlighted by bright and fresh Clairette. Soft and rich, yet still defined.
France | Southern Rhône
At once robust, succulent, and elegant, this red offers immediate pleasure and age-worthy promise.
France | Languedoc-Roussillon
With its aromas of toasted almonds and butterscotch, the resulting bone-dry wine is nothing short of enthralling.
France | Languedoc-Roussillon
If you can’t make it to the south of France this year, here’s a way to bring the Mediterranean sun to you.
France | Southern Rhône
This bears a rich bouquet of wild strawberry, flowers, garrigue, and sweet spices, culminating in a long, stony finale.
France | Provence
A thoroughbred of pure Grenache, this unbridled rouge is fresh and lithe, teeming with juicy dark fruit and ample goût de terroir.
France | Southern Rhône
La Sagesse carries the full flavor, succulence, and savoriness we associate with Grenache on a graceful and lively frame.
Italy | Sicily
Grottafumata’s first release from the “Vigna degli Architetti” delivers deep, ripe fruit with elegance and grace.
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New Arrivals
Here is a collection of recent arrivals. Every week, we’ll be adding a dozen or more new arrivals, so check back often for your favorite classics or new discoveries!
The Carpe Vinum Collection
An ever-changing offering of wines that are just about to sell out; one last opportunity to seize a range of selections before they disappear from our shelves forever.
50th Anniversary Merchandise
When the esteemed French wine artist Michel Tolmer created beautiful artwork for our 50th anniversary, we knew right away that we had to feature it on a few select items of merch. After spending maybe a little too much time researching the options, we landed on a classy, leather-strap cap, a comfortable t-shirt made from 100% cotton, and a tote made with incredibly sturdy, fair-trade, and organic cotton by a certified B corp that invests in the livelihoods of women and farmers of India, featuring three wine sleeves and two other compartments for all of your other needs!
Recent Wine Club Selections
Our five wine clubs feature our best values from France and Italy as well as complex and cellar-worthy wines.