The Best Food Pairings for Garnacha Wines

Looking for great food pairings for Garnacha wine? This post goes over the best food pairings with Garnacha/Grenache wine varietals!

Pairing food with wine elevates your dining experience and is so very simple to do. A wine that I'm seeing more of in the stores is the Garnacha (or Grenache) varietal. We're seeing more of this wine because of recent efforts by the European Union to regulate the quality and growing conditions of the grape. Most likely, you've tasted Garnacha before, but as a part of a blend! Garnacha is starting to be bottled and marketed on it's own, and that's a very good thing. Old Vine Garnacha is one of my favorite varieties of red wine.

What makes Garnacha special? Kind of like hatch chile peppers, Garnacha tastes best when it's grown in certain soils and climates, using proper methods. Areas of origin for Garnacha are protected, manely Calatayud, Campo de Borja, Carinena, Somontano and Terra Alta in Spain, and Roussillon in France. 

Garnacha is unique in that it's the only major grape variety that comes in different color variants (red, pink and white), so you'll see any variety of wines produced with this strain of grape. Yes, even rose! In celebration of International Garnacha (or Grenache) Day, I've put together some dynamic food pairings to enjoy with your next bottle of Garnacha!

Red Garnacha or Grenache

Light Garnacha wines should be paired with poultry or pork, salmon, trout or barbecue. A fuller bodied Garnacha makes the perfect wine for a special occasion. If it's a garnacha blend, much of the same food pairings are recommended although they can better support spicy food and wild game. 

I'd recommend these recipes with a red garnacha or garnacha blend. 

• Bacon Wrapped Chicken Skewers
• Brown Sugar Smoked Salmon
• Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Blackberry Merlot Sauce

White Garnacha or Grenache

I have to say that white varieties of Garnacha are completely delightful. I pair them with salads, lighter fishes, pizza and blue cheese. I paired mine with a light fig spread and some manchego cheese. 

If you're looking for additional recipe pairings, I'd recommend:

• Green Curry Fish
• Sweet Chili Shrimp with Lime
• Summer Harvest Salad

Dessert Varietals

Dessert varieties of Garnacha are made for chocolate, caramelized nuts, dried fruits and roasted figs. 

• Easy Caramel Apple Dump Cake
• Baked Brie with Honey, Candied Pecans, and Cranberries
• Blackberry Dump Cake

I'd love for you to join me in learning more about wonderful Garnacha wines! Visit Wines of Garnacha or Wines of Roussillon to learn more about where you can buy these wines, and even more food pairings!