All the medallists from The Global Grenache Masters 2025

Whether labelled as Grenache or Garnacha, this is a grape variety which is all too easily overlooked – but not for much longer, writes Patricia Stefanowicz MW.

DESPITE ITS global reach, Grenache is relatively unknown to many customers – but it may soon get its day of recognition. More and more frequently, wines are being made of 100% Grenache (or Garnacha), especially in places like Australia, South Africa and California, where varietal labelling holds sway. Grenache appears prominently on labels of ‘Old Vine Grenache’, and these wines are beginning to command high prices. A few Rioja wines are being labelled ‘Garnacha’, particularly in Rioja Oriental where old-vine Garnacha is well-respected.

In this Grenache Masters, most of our favourite wines came from France, Spain, Australia and South Africa. Unoaked Grenache Noir from France or Australia gives exceptional wine at around £15–£25. Those from France are a little more structured; those from Australia packed with sweet fruit.

De Bortoli’s PHI Grenache blend (with Shiraz) aged in amphorae, earned a well-deserved Gold medal. Oaked red wines formed the majority of the wines in the tasting. Here we encountered fine quality, with both Grenache blends and Grenache on its own.

At under £20 the judges awarded a good number of Silver medals and Orlando’s Cellar 13 Grenache earned a Gold for its purity of red fruit flavour.

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In the £20–£30 price bracket, Campo Viejo Garnacha Wine Experience from Rioja Oriental earned a Gold, with Rioja Alta and Australia’s McLaren Vale and Barossa gaining Silvers.

Above £30, all the wines performed well. Dandelion Vineyards’ McLaren Vale Faraway Tree Grenache won a Gold, Heirloom Vineyards Alcala Single Vineyard McLaren Vale Grenache earned a Master and Perelada’s Aires de Garbet Single Vineyard Garnacha from Catalunya was our Grand Master. These wines, and other 100% Grenache wines, exhibit the ultimate pure expression of this sometimes underrated variety which deserves more attention.

Sparkling White Grenache

Oaked White Grenache

Oaked Red Grenache

Unoaked Rosé Grenache Blend

BARNACLE-ENCRUSTED

An unusual blend of 60% Garnacha with Carignan, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah was one of the judges’ favourite drinks, earning a Master. This wine, ElixSea’s LegaSea, is a barnacle-encrusted bottle aged for six months under the sea. It is as yet unproven scientifically whether under-sea ageing gives a discernible technical or organoleptic difference, but it makes a lovely packaging statement and a great story.

The 2025 Global Grenache Masters may have been relatively small, but the judges agreed that Grenache/Garnacha makes excellent wines in a wide range of styles and at a variety of price points. From inexpensive, crowd-pleasing, easy-drinking wines to serious, age-worthy classics, Grenache/Garnacha should be welcomed into our drinking repertoire.

Unoaked Red Grenache Blend

Oaked Red Grenache Blend

About the competition

With high-quality judges and a unique sampling process, The Global Grenache Masters provides a chance for your wines to shine. The 2025 competition was judged on 9 October at Camino London, employing experienced judges. The top wines were awarded Gold, Silver or Bronze medals according to their result, and those expressions that stood out as being outstanding received the ultimate accolades – the titles of Grenache Master or Grand Master. This report features medal winners only. Please visit the Global Masters website for more information or, to enter future competitions, with a chance to appear in print and online, call: +44 (0) 20 7803 2420 or email Sophie Aston at: sophie@thedrinksbusiness.com