Our blind-tasting pair are in for a treat, and so are you if you taste along with them.

Garnacha originated in northeastern Spain. It is a heat-loving drought resistant grape. It spread around the Mediterranean and up into France where it is known as Grenache.

Grenache is mostly a blending grape so getting a single variety wine can be difficult. Winemakers love it for blending because of its darker color and fuller body, medium tannins, and fruitiness. Denise loves it.

Tonight, Dennis and Denise taste three affordable Grenache wines. (maybe two that are affordable, the third is pricey, but again it's hard to find a single variety Grenache) Our three wines include:

1. 2017 Granito del Cadalso from Madrid, Spain. I purchased it from our local Wall to Wall Wine Store for $14.63. It comes from a co-op in the Sierra de Gredos, made from all old-vine Garnacha and grown in granite soils. It was destemmed and brought up all in concrete tanks. This Pinot Noir-like beauty offers notes of wild strawberries, rose hips, violets, and crushed rocks. Medium-bodied, with remarkable purity and vibrancy, it still has ample power and richness. This fabulous expression of Grenache is almost too good to be true.

2. 2018 Centenaria Garnacha from Campo De Borja, Spain. We purchased from our local Wall to Wall Wine Store for $15.83. Rich and velvety, big but gentle with raspberry jam, cherry pie and vanilla flavors. Well-integrated tannins give subtle structure, while citrusy acidity keeps this fresh. Fruit centered.

3. 2017 Idle Cellars Grenache from Sonoma County, a wine we purchased at Wine Styles for $37.00. Dry, fruit-forward but well balanced with acid, tannins, and body. Raspberries, cinnamon, cherries, strawberries, star anise, and black cherries are some of the flavors that come through. An adult fruit roll-up if you will. It pairs well with seared tuna, steak, roasted root vegetables, braised short ribs, and carnitas tacos.

Next week we will be tasting Rose. The three wines we will taste include:

1. 2023 Kirkland Provence, purchased at Costco for $7.99.

2. 2023 Ro Substance Rose’, it was purchased at Costco for $9.99

3. 2023 Illahe Tempranillo Rose’. This was purchased from our local Wall to Wall Wine Store for $19.99.