McLaren Vale Grenache has emerged as one of Australia’s benchmark expressions of the variety, firmly moving away from the heavier, jammy styles of the past toward the more ethereal, structured and savoury wines we’re seeing—and loving—today. Home to some of the oldest Grenache vines in the world, many dating back to the late 19th and early 20th century, this wealth of old vine material has played a central role in the region’s renaissance.

That shift has been driven in large part by a group of thoughtful, small-scale winemakers pushing back against commercial trends and embracing a “less is more” philosophy. Here, the heavy lifting is done in the vineyard, with vine age and site—sand, ironstone and clay soils—taking centre stage. Combined with careful, nuanced winemaking and a focus on drinkability with a nod to tradition, McLaren Vale now stands as one of the global reference points for Grenache.

Of course, it’s impossible to talk about grenache without talking about the Rhône, its spiritual home and the source of many of the world’s greatest examples. It's the backbone of the region’s red blends, reaching its peak in appellations like Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Gigondas. It thrives in the Rhône’s dry Mediterranean climate, long sunny growing season, and varied soils with a multitude of nuanced expressions. Today, a mix of historic estates and quality-focused modern domaines is refining styles toward greater freshness and balance, without losing the region’s hallmark generosity.

With that in mind, we thought there was no better way to explore Grenache than side by side, bringing together our favourite producers from both McLaren Vale and the Rhône for a true like-for-like comparison. This should be a great tasting experience.