Grolleau
The style profiled here is a dry, light-bodied red Grolleau wine: light, tart, red berry, a rosé grape. Typical alcohol is 10.5 to 12%. Serve it at 12 to 14 °C.
Also called See list of synonyms.
The grape
Grolleau is a red grape of the Loire, traditionally associated with rosé rather than prestigious, long-lived red wine. Its lighter structure and useful freshness explain that role. More recently, varietal red bottlings have also made it visible to drinkers looking for a gentle, fruit-led wine that works with a slight chill.
The grape does not determine whether a rosé will be dry. Loire rosé includes different traditions, and residual sugar can materially change the wine's use at the table. A red Grolleau and a soft, sweeter rosé are therefore different purchases even though their grape is the same. Read the wine name and the producer's sweetness description together.
A light dry red version can be pleasant with charcuterie, roast vegetables and an informal lunch, where a heavily oaked red would feel too imposing. Cool it a little rather than serving it warm. For rosé, decide first whether you want a crisp dinner wine or a gentler, sweeter glass, then choose the bottle to match that purpose.
BuyingLook for a varietal Loire Grolleau for the light-red style. On a rosé, confirm sweetness rather than assuming that pale colour means dry.
Style profile
Our rating of a representative wine- Sweetness
- Bone dry
- Body
- Light
- Tannin
- Low
- Acidity
- High
Sweetness and structure vary with the producer, region and winemaking. These ratings describe the style above; check the label for the bottle in front of you.
Food pairings
Where it grows
- Notable regions
- Loire
- Notable wines
- Rosé d'Anjou
Similar grapes
Sources
- Facts: Wikipedia, Grolleau (grape) (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata Q268579 (CC0).
- Variety record: Vitis International Variety Catalogue, VIVC 5073.
- Style profile, pairings and serving figures are our own assessment.
- Wikipedia: Grolleau (grape).