Garnacha Blanca

Garnacha Blanca carries the VIVC prime name Garnacha Blanca, variety number 4457, with a berry skin colour of blanc. VIVC records Spain as its country or region of origin. No parents are recorded: both parent fields in its passport are blank, and no full pedigree is given. Its pedigree, as given by breeder or bibliography and as confirmed by markers, reads "Garnacha Tinta mutation".

• VIVC prime name: Garnacha Blanca; VIVC variety number 4457; berry skin colour: blanc
• Country of origin: Spain (single source)
• Parents: none recorded (parentage unknown)
• Pedigree: a mutation of Garnacha Tinta, confirmed by markers

Just north of the Spanish border in Roussillon, Grenache is common in at least three different colours: purple-skinned Grenache Noir, pale crimson-skinned Grenache Gris and green-skinned Grenache Blanc. In Catalonia's Terra Alta, many boutique cellars have opened since the turn of the century, and Decanter's regional profile describes the region as having made white Grenache its signature grape.

• Roussillon: Grenache grows there in at least three colours, green-skinned Grenache Blanc among them
• Terra Alta: many boutique cellars have opened since the turn of the century

In Spain, DO Terra Alta in Catalonia makes its white wines mostly from Garnatxa blanca, and Garnatxa blanca, Garnatxa negra and Garnatxa peluda are the predominant grape varieties there. Catalonia's wine institute, INCAVI, calls Garnatxa blanca the variety best adapted to the regional climate. Terra Alta's vines grow at 350 to 550 metres, on soils that are generally rich in limestone and very poor in organic matter; among them, the locally named panal soils stand out as very balanced and lower in limestone. The climate is dry Mediterranean, with the dry north-westerly Cerç and the sea breezes locally called Garbinada. Decanter's regional profile credits the chalky soils around Batea with softening the structure of white Grenache and preserving its acidity. DOQ Priorat is the territory of llicorella, the local slate, and Garnatxa blanca is its most widespread white variety. In DOCa Rioja, Garnacha blanca is one of the white grape varieties grown, and it can form part of blends with other white varieties or be made as a single varietal. In France, Grenache Blanc is one of the associated grape varieties of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and it makes white table wines all over the south of France.

• DO Terra Alta (Catalonia): Garnatxa blanca and Macabeu are the recommended white varieties; vines grow at 350 to 550 metres, with the locally named panal soils among the soil profiles
• DOQ Priorat (Catalonia): Garnatxa blanca is the most widespread white variety, authorised alongside Macabeu, Pedro Ximénez and other white varieties, in the territory of llicorella slate
• DOCa Rioja: one of the white grape varieties grown, used in blends with other white varieties or as a single varietal
• Southern France: Grenache Blanc is an associated grape variety of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, whose white wines are made mainly from Grenache blanc, Clairette and Roussanne

Garnacha Blanca makes full-bodied wines. Its aromas are of medium intensity, with floral, fruity and herbaceous notes and hints of ripe fruit. As it is a mutation of Garnacha Tinta, its oenological behaviour is very similar: alcoholic wines rich in extract, but lacking in aroma and acidity. Grenache Blanc white table wines from the south of France tend to relatively low acidity, high alcohol and fast development, and the wines can oxidise easily. Grown in cool areas, it produces a pleasant wine with good acidity. Terra Alta whites, made mostly from Garnatxa blanca, are pale in colour, with a fresh aroma and a broad, balanced palate, while the white wines of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, made mainly from Grenache blanc, Clairette and Roussanne, are ample and very expressive, with good aromatic freshness.

• Aromas: medium intensity, with floral, fruity and herbaceous notes and hints of ripe fruit
• Structure: full-bodied, with relatively low acidity and high alcohol
• Development: fast, and the wines can oxidise easily
• Cool areas: a pleasant wine with good acidity

The wines can oxidise easily, although careful winemaking can make attractively scented wines for early drinking. In DOQ Priorat, the white wines, made basically from Garnatxa Blanca, Macabeu and Pedro Ximénez among others, start from free-run must with a low-temperature fermentation, giving a balance of fruit and aroma that is sometimes broadened with ageing. In Terra Alta, the white wines were distinguished in the first half of the 20th century as verges or brisats; vi brisat is made by fermenting whole, trodden white grapes.

• Careful winemaking can make attractively scented wines for early drinking
• Priorat whites: free-run must and a low-temperature fermentation, with the balance of fruit and aroma sometimes broadened with ageing
• Terra Alta tradition: white wines made as verges or as brisats, the latter from whole, trodden white grapes

In Terra Alta, Herència Altés was started by Núria Altés and her husband Rafael de Haan. Edetària, also in Terra Alta, makes the Via Terra Selection Garnatxa Blanca.

• Herència Altés (DO Terra Alta): started by Núria Altés and her husband Rafael de Haan
• Edetària (DO Terra Alta): makes the Edetària Garnatxa Blanca Terra Alta Via Terra Selection

Grenache Blanc whites tend to fast development, and careful winemaking can make attractively scented wines for early drinking. Writing in Decanter, Miquel Hudin found the first Terra Alta Garnatxa Blanca wines he tasted pleasing, with fresh acidity and good potential for food pairings.

• Development: Grenache Blanc whites tend to develop fast
• Early drinking: careful winemaking can make attractively scented wines for early drinking

Primary sources: https://www.vivc.de/index.php?r=passport%2Fview&id=4457 ; https://incavi.gencat.cat/ca/coneix-el-vi-catala/denominacions-dorigen-catalanes/do-terra-alta ; https://incavi.gencat.cat/ca/coneix-el-vi-catala/denominacions-dorigen-catalanes/do-priorat ; https://www.vins-rhone.com/en/cotes-du-rhone-cru-aoc-chateauneuf-du-pape ; https://riojawine.com/en-gb/the-designation/grape-varieties/garnacha-blanca/ ; https://riojawine.com/en-gb/the-designation/grape-varieties/ Reference sources: https://www.jancisrobinson.com/learn/grape-varieties/white/grenache-blanc ; https://www.jancisrobinson.com/learn/grape-varieties/red/grenache ; https://www.decanter.com/premium/regional-profile-terra-alta-wines-408667/ ; https://www.winespectator.com/wine/wine-detail/id/1329297/name/edetaria-garnatxa-blanca-terra-alta-via-terra-selection-2024/guest Last verified 2026-10-17