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Grenache
The Grenache grape (a.k.a. Grenache Noir) produces relatively pale, fruity red wines that often stop just short of sweetness. Grenache is familiar to most wine drinkers as an ingredient in the blends of the Rhône and Languedoc-Roussillon, where it can add charm to varieties that are a little rougher around the edges. The distinguished Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Gigondas appellations are both...
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Mourvèdre
Known as Mataro in California and Monastrell in Spain, Mourvèdre can produce bold, tannic, highly alcoholic red wines. They usually show no shortage of fruit as well, and the best examples keep it all in perfect balance. Rhône-style blends are cropping up all over the world, and one of the classic tried-and-true combinations is "GSM," or Grenache-Syrah-Mourvèdre. The "M" contributes focus and...
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Carignan
Grown all over Europe and the Americas, Carignan (a.k.a. Carignane, Carignano, and Cariñena) is seldom seen as a 100% varietal wine. Many appellations of Languedoc-Roussillon must include a certain percentage of Carignan, but it is rarely the dominant grape in these blends. For years, this naturally high-yielding grape suffered from overproduction, but New World winemakers have lately taken up...
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