September 20th is Grenache Day... Are you celebrating?

    The following article showed up on Wine-Searcher.com and was written by Diana Goodman. There were a couple of problems with her recommendations (availability pimarily) and we had some suggestions for ones thatwe like alot in different price points from around the world. Scroll down for our picks and join the celebration!

Here are Diana's thoughts:

"For the fourth year running, an international day of celebration is being held to honor the world's most widely planted red grape.

The September 20 event, which kicks off in the U.S. at midnight Thursday PDT, is being organized by the Grenache Association, which calls the "groovy" grape an unsung hero. The association claims that grenache rarely gets the credit it deserves because it's frequently used in blends.

Executive director Marlene Angelloz points out that "every time you enjoy a glass of Côtes-du-Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, most rosés, garnacha, or cannonau, you became an honorary member of the international grenachistas – fans of grenache!"

The association concedes that 2013 has been a challenging year for grenache vines in many parts of Europe, which were affected by a bout of cold weather in the spring. It "affected the ability of the grape flowers to set, provoking unusual amounts of coulure."

According to the association, there are already references to this year’s production as "black gold," due to its scarcity but potential quality.

Participants in this year's Grenache Day celebrations are being urged to raise a toast in solidarity with the producers who lost part of their crop.

In the U.S., participants will include California's Rhone Rangers, who are holding tastings of grenache and grenache-based wines from 30 wineries. In London, Bar Boulud's David Vareille will open a vertical of Methuselahs from Domaine de la Roquette in Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

In the Côtes-du-Rhône appellation of Seguret, local producers are combining their efforts to present a selection of top grenache wines. Domaine de Mourchon's Walter McKinlay, co-founder of the Grenache Association, said: "It's such a pleasure to see winemakers joining forces instead of competing with each other."

More details of Grenache Day events across the world are available on Twitter – #GrenacheDay – on the relevant Facebook page, and at the grenacheday.com website."

Our Suggestions:

La Manarine Cotes du Rhone 2011 Rhone Valley, France $14.99
 
Lo Brujo Garnacha 2011 Calatayud Spain  $10.99

Altovinium "Old Vine" Garnacha 2012 Calatayud, Spain $9.99

Sella Mosca Cannonau 2009 Sardinia, Italy $14.99

Argiolas Costera Cannonau 2010 Sardinia, Italy $15.99

Just another reason to celebrate,

-Cheers