At D’Aria Winery in Durbanville, we’re always looking to express the character of our unique valley terroir. With our new release of the 2024 Grenache Noir, we’re shining a spotlight on a grape variety that’s quietly becoming one of South Africa’s most expressive reds. Join us as we explore the charm of this varietal: what it is, what it tastes like, how it compares to other wines, and why you’ll want a bottle in your collection.
What Is Grenache Noir?
The term Grenache Noir refers to the red-skinned variety commonly known as Grenache (or Garnacha in Spain) in its darker clone form. In simple terms, asking “what is Grenache Noir” is asking about a grape whose lineage is both storied and versatile: vibrant, sun-loving, and expressive.
At D’Aria we hand-harvest fruit from a single vineyard block to craft our D’Aria 2024 Grenache Noir, emphasising the vines’ deep roots and the rolling hills of our site. Harvested from a single vineyard block, our D’Aria Grenache Noir captures the spirit of the valley, shaped by gentle slopes, changing light and vines that have settled deep into the soil. That sense of place is key, the grape thrives in warm-climate zones like the Western Cape, and it’s increasingly making its mark in South Africa. That’s why we’re proud to bottle it under our Reserve range.
History of Grenache Noir
Grenache, also known by its Spanish name Garnacha, is believed to have its origins in the Aragon region of northern Spain. Historical and ampelographical records suggest that the Grenach Noir grape gradually spread from Aragon into neighbouring Catalonia and later into territories once ruled by the Crown of Aragon, including Sardinia and the Roussillon area of southern France. One of the earliest recorded names for the variety was Tinto Aragonés, meaning “the red from Aragon.”
In Sardinia, the grape is called Cannonau, and recent archaeological discoveries on the island have led some researchers to argue that Sardinia may, in fact, have been one of the earliest homes of the variety. Regardless of the exact starting point, Grenache moved across Mediterranean regions with historical trade and political connections. By the time France took control of Roussillon, Garnacha was already firmly established on both sides of the Pyrenees. From there, it travelled eastwards through Languedoc and into the Southern Rhône, where it became a defining component of the region’s wines by the 1800s.
Although Garnacha was well known in Navarre and Catalonia, it only became widely planted in Rioja in the early 20th century, largely due to replanting efforts following the devastation of phylloxera.
Grenache Noir in South Africa
Grenache Noir arrived in the Cape during the 19th century, though it was only formally identified in the early 1900s by a professor at Stellenbosch University. Despite having relatively modest plantings, with just over 300 hectares recorded in 2014, the grape has become increasingly admired by modern winemakers. South Africa’s warm climate, dryland vineyards and granitic soils offer ideal conditions for the variety, and today, more than 100 Grenache-based blends are produced across the country. Its ability to handle heat and drought makes it especially well suited to the Cape, where it continues to gain traction as both a blending component and a varietal wine.
What Colour Is Grenache Wine? Exploring Its Beautiful Hue
You might ask: “What color is Grenache?” and while terms vary, the answer is rich and inviting. Grenache Noir typically produces wines with a mid to deep ruby-red colour, often with a hint of garnet around the rim. The tone may not be as deep as the darkest Syrah or Cabernet, but there’s a glowing warmth to it, the kind of colour that catches the light, and invites you to linger.
Grenache Wine in South Africa: Why the Cape Is the Perfect Home
When it comes to Grenache Noir South Africa, there’s a strong case for why the grape is flourishing. The Western Cape offers the combination of warm days, cooling breezes, and varied soils, conditions that Grenache thrives under. Our own D’Aria vineyard, with its deep-rooted vines, captures that beautifully. We take care to hand-harvest our block, gently craft the wine in the cellar, and let the vineyard speak. Our hand-picked grapes and careful cellar work shape a wine that is elegant yet rooted, brimming with red fruit, subtle spice and a touch of earthy character. This attention to detail and sense of place helps elevate Grenache Noir from just another red to something authentic and expressive. And for wine lovers looking beyond mainstream varieties, it’s an exciting discovery.
What Does Grenache Noir Taste Like? Tasting Notes from D’Aria
Is there a single answer to what does Grenache Noir taste like? Grenache typically tastes warm, bright and fruit-forward, with flavours of ripe strawberries, raspberries and red cherries at its core. Depending on where it’s grown, you may also find touches of plum, gentle spice and a hint of earthiness or dried herbs. The palate is usually smooth and medium-bodied with soft tannins, balanced acidity and a lingering, slightly spicy finish that makes the wine both approachable and versatile with food.
D’Aria 2024 Grenache Noir
Our version of this varietal opens with inviting aromas of ripe red berries, such as raspberry and red cherry, lifted by a gentle spice note like clove or a touch of white pepper. On the palate, the juicy red-fruit character carries through warmly, supported by a subtle earthiness that adds quiet depth and a sense of place. The finish is long and smooth, with soft, understated tannins that offer structure without weight, making the wine beautifully approachable yet layered.
And food pairings? Think grilled lamb with rosemary, rich but simple stews, perhaps even firm-cheese boards with a handful of olives on the side. The fruit and spice match beautifully with Mediterranean-style dishes.
What is Grenache Blanc?
And if you’re exploring South Africa wine lists, you may also spot Grenache Blanc South Africa, a white-skinned mutation of the same family, bringing a lighter, more citrus- and stone-fruit-centric profile.
Grenache vs Pinot Noir: Understanding the Differences
Many wine lovers wonder what is the difference between grenache and pinot noir and are grenache and pinot noir similar. On the surface, they’re both red-wine grapes, but the comparison ends there in many key respects.
Similarities
- Both can deliver bright, attractive red-fruit characters.
- Both respond to good terroir and careful vineyard work.
Key differences
- Climate & body: Pinot Noir thrives in cooler climates and often yields lighter-bodied wines with higher acidity. Grenache Noir loves warmth, produces richer, fruit-forward wines with a more supple texture.
- Colour & extraction: While Pinot Noir can be quite pale, especially from cooler sites, Grenache Noir typically shows a deeper ruby-red hue.
- Flavour profile: Pinot Noir might bring subtle red fruits, earth and a delicate structure. Grenache Noir leans into generous red fruit, spice, and warmth, as our version does at D’Aria.
- Tannins & ageing: Pinot can be elegant with finer tannins; Grenache Noir at its best offers both approachability and enough structure to age gracefully.
So while you won’t confuse the two in a blind tasting, both have their beauty. At D’Aria, choosing Grenache Noir is choosing something confident, warm and expressive which is perfect for our South African terroir.
Visit D’Aria Winery
Whetehr you are eager to explore Grenache Noir wine, or simply looking for a wine that reflects the beauty of South Africa’s wine-country terroir, our D’Aria 2024 Grenache Noir invites you to linger, explore and enjoy. It can be conveniently be purchased from our online store. Add to that the contrast of grenache blanc South Africa (for those interested in white-skinned relatives), and you have a wine story that is both rooted and adventurous. Grab a glass, take in the colour, savour the spice and earth, and raise a toast to a grape with growing prominence.
