Embrace Grenache 2014

Grenache is perfect for the hot, dry, sand and stone soils of the ridges along Dry Creek Valley. The grape favors a long growing season and with its thick skin and tight clusters can withstand high heat and winds. The extra time on the vine is well spent; when ripe Grenache can make the most sublime of wines, powerful, fine and complex with a lot of fruit.

Grenache is great paired with braises and stews, long slow cooked roasts of pork or lamb that may even be a little bit fatty (shoulder of lamb and lamb shanks, for example). It suits daubes and stews with dark, winey sauces and has a particular affinity with paprika and pimenton.

Embrace can be served with milder curries like a rogan josh but not Indian curries. Good paired with sausage or flank steak and mashed potatoes, shepherd's pie and steak and kidney pie while its absence of tough tannins makes it an accommodating match for simple cheeses.