Grenache

A Barossa grenache is generally pale in colour, but this is not an indication of its flavour. Grenaches are generous, full-flavoured wines with sweet cherry fruit and liquorice hints and generally high alcohol levels. They are not the most elegant wines on the market, but their spicy character lends itself to some elements of the food spice world, such as star anise, liquorice and cassia, the classic flavours of northern Chinese food. Grenache’s low tannin levels make it a good wine to match with food that has chilli and spices cooked into it. I have matched this wine with Tea-smoked Tasmanian Salmon with Star Anise Broth, Sichuan-smoked Duck with Smoked Eggplant, Twice-cooked Chicken with Chilli and Garlic Eggplant Salad and Fragrant Beef Tartare.