Grenache to come out of the shadows

The Grenache Symposium in Provence last weekend, presided over by an Anglo-French partnership of wine writers Steven Spurrier and Michel Bettane, had a modest goal: 'to shape the future of Grenache ... the most widely planted red grape in the world, and most important in economic terms'.

After a day of think-tanks, grouped by activity and sphere of influence – viticulture, winemaking, press, on- and off-trade – each of the panels had just 20 minutes to present their conclusions and plans of action, followed by Q&A. Organiser Nicole Rolet made sure there was throughout a very strong emphasis on...