“I love Grenache,” shares Sondra Bernstein, Proprietor of the legendary girl & the fig, fig cafe, and Suite D.
It’s her favorite grape. She wants it to be your favorite grape, too.
On Friday, lovers of Grenache wine, including Bernstein, will drink a few extra glasses to celebrate International Grenache Day.
The second most widely grown grape in the world, Grenache is a Rhône varietal that is an integral part of the famed French blend, Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Their vines comprise up to 70% Grenache – yeah, it’s important.
It is believed to be a Spanish born grape, and is often seen in stores as an affordable Spanish wine. In the 1700s it made its way to France, and by the 1860s it was being grown in California.
It’s a strong grape, which grows generally well in drought conditions and lends itself to a nice, easy drinking, “fruit forward,” glass of wine that goes well with many food pairings.
Bernstein reflected on a recent Spring visit to France, where she noticed more and more young French winemakers using Grenache beyond a blend: “It’s always been the peoples’ wine, and it’s only gotten more sophisticated over the years, which is helped by the growing properties that have become so much better.”
Thus making it more popular as 100% Grenache and it being used at higher percentages in blends.
And it’s become more popular in California, where winemakers such as Peter Mathis, of Mathis Wine, has perfected the art of 100% Grenache.
I’m a bit partial to Mathis’ Grenache for personal reasons. Upon my first visit to the girl & the fig, five years ago, with my father, we ordered a bottle of Mathis Grenache and it was my first Grenache. I was converted.
It’s versatile, which is one reason Bernstein is such a fan, and she’s been stocking Grenache on her girl & the fig, Rhône only wine list since the restaurant’s opening in 1997. Ten years later, Bernstein started working with California winemakers to create a girl & the fig house wine, starring Rhône grapes.
Small lots and a few years later, Bernstein is introducing her first red Grenache this Friday in time for Grenache Day.
The creation of the new red wine, which is the cousin of the girl & the fig rose Grenache, which sold out two months ago, is led by Sonoma County based winemaker Sebastian Donoso, of Campovida.
To celebrate Grenache Day, Bernstein is hosting a Grenache Day Night Celebration at Suite D.
Guests will be able to taste and enjoy wines from Tavosa, Mathis Wines, Priest Ranch, Lightning Wines, Winery Sixteen 600, Sheldon, Anaba Wines, Idle Cellars, Imagery Estate Winery, and of course, girl & the fig.
If it’s at Suite D, you’re guaranteed to eat well. The night will feature different food stations featuring cheese and girl & the fig’s own MANO FORMATE charcuterie, in-house pickled veggies, wood-fired pizza, and more finger food than you can…well, shake your finger at.
Guests are encouraged to bring a bottle of Grenache to share, and there will also be a blind tasting – those who make it through the first round of tastings go onto the second round, with tasty prizes awarded!
Can’t make it to the party? the girl & the fig will also be offering a girl & the fig flight, for a limited time only this weekend, which features all three Grenache’s produced by the restaurant.
The event is $50/per person and it starts at 6:30 PM. Check out the event page to learn more.
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