16 Sep Please The Palate Wine of the Week: Acquiesce 2016 Sparkling Grenache Blanc

The annual Grenache Day is on Friday, September 18. Grenache Day was established by the Grenache Association to celebrate the grape and all the varieties and vintages of wine that were produced from it. In preparation, I opened a bottle of Acquiesce 2016 Sparkling Grenache Blanc, the Please The Palate Wine of the Week.

Grenache is the most widely planted red grape in the world. Grenache can be found in the South of France, Spain, Australia, California, North Africa, South Africa, and beyond. Grenache comes in all styles. You can find it red, white, rosé, sweet wines, and even sparkling wines, making Grenache a versatile wine that can be paired with a variety of dishes.

Located in Lodi, California, Acquiesce is a winery dedicated to white wines made from Rhone grapes. Owner Sue Tipton planted her first half acre of Grenache Blanc and half acre of Grenache Noir, sourced from Tablas Greek, in 2008.

Grenache Blanc ranks as the fourth most planted white grape in France. It is widely grown in both Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Côtes du Rhône. Grenache Blanc is also grown in Spain, the original home of the Grenache grape. In the United States, there are only 636 acres planted with more than half currently bearing fruit.

While Grenache, Grenache Blanc and rosé of Grenache are easy to find, sparkling Grenache Blanc is much more unique.

The Acquiesce 2016 Sparkling Grenache Blanc  is made in the traditional method with secondary fermentation in the bottle, like Champagne. The wine is aged in the bottle for 18 months before disgorgement and is 12 percent alcohol. The wine has lovely floral, citrus and mineral notes with a touch of brioche. There are only 200 cases of this wine produced, which retails for $55.