Viticultural Information
Grenache
Description
Species: Vitis vinifera Grenache is one of the most widely planted wine grape varieties in the world, with vast acreages encompassing the southern Mediterranean wine region. It is generally believed to have originated from the northern Spanish province of Aragon. The variety spread from this area to the Rioja and Navarre regions, then moved both north and south of the Pyrenees Mountains. Grenache was first planted in France in the Longuedoc region in the early eighteenth century, and it reached the southern Rhône Valley by the nineteenth century. In the southern Rhône, Grenache is generally blended with Syrah and other varieties to produce common red table wines (Cotes-du-Rhône) as well as the highly regarded Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Grenache was probably first introduced to California by Charles Lefranc, a prominent Santa Clara wine grower, in 1857. Its versatility made it popular in the planting boom in the late 1800s. Acreage grew steadily after Prohibition, especially in the Central Valley for dessert and rosé table wines. It is now grown in diverse climatic regions for blending and the production of varietal red and blush table wines. Vine stress due to overcropping, insect damage, or other factors may result in delayed, erratic budbreak the following spring. Overcroppingmay also cause the vines to enter an alternate-bearing pattern in which yields fluctuate drastically from year to year. Wood maturity may also be a problem in highly vigorous vineyards, particularly if vines grow late into the season. Winter injury can be a problem with vigorous or overcropped vines during the second through fourth years of vine training. Poor light exposure into the fruit zone during bloom, caused by dense canopy growth, may reduce fruit set and result in excessively loose or straggly clusters.
People
Nick K. Dokoozlian
Links
Foundation Plant Services at UC Davis is the source of Foundation grapevine material for the nursery industry, and the staff can provide information about possible sources for obtaining this stock. The National Grape Registry (NGR) contains information about varieties of wine, juice, and table grapes, raisins, and grape rootstocks available in the United States. Growers, nurseries, winemakers and researchers can find background information and source contacts for those grape varieties in this single convenient location.
Publications
NGR Match
Grenache noir
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