Grenache ripens mid to late season in hot dry climates producing large light-colored, reddish-purple clusters of spicy strawberry and raspberry flavored fruit.  It is often head trained to control yields and the vines have a strong woody character.   It has a tendency to slightly oxidize with low acidity, low tannin and high sugar content.  It’s one of the most widely planted grapes in the world, brought by the Royal Family of Aragon when they controlled much of the Mediterranean in the 1300’s.  It is the primary grape in the Rhone and Chateauneuf and can be found throughout California’s Central Coast GSM’s.