What It Is:
Grenache Syrah Mourvèdre (GSM) is a blend of three grapes together, abbreviated to GSM.
But why these three, together? The blend was surely crafted overtime to highlight the strengths of these varieties:
- Grenache gives notes of concentrated spiced red fruit, high acidity and high alcohol.
- Syrah is added for color, high tannin and notes of black pepper.
- Mourvèdre also adds color, high tannin, black fruit, gamey meaty flavors.
What It Was:
GSM originated in southern Rhône Valley in France as many wine traditions have. Grenache is the most widely planted variety in Chateauneuf Du Pape and the reds from this region are blended mainly from Grenache, Shiraz (Syrah) and Mataro (Mourvedre).
GSM blends became popular in the Central Coast of California in the 1980s when a group of producers calling themselves the “Rhône Rangers” began promoting the blend. This blend has also been embraced by Australia, whose unofficial is grape Shiraz(Syrah). It has become a popular blend in the Barossa Valley.
What It Will Be:
All three of these grapes thrive in Temecula Valley right here in California and Lorimar’s current blend is one of the standouts currently on the winery’s tasting menu — bright, juicy red fruit with hints of spice, perfect for summer.
The main differences in GSMs stem back to old world versus new world. Typically French wines are lower in alcohol, more earthy, and display a rotundone character. Whereas American and Australian examples will have a higher alcohol content and are more fruit driven.
A perfect example of the latter is Temecula-based Lorimar Winery’s 2015 Grenache Syrah Mourvedre. This wine has complexity to spare; perfumes of ripe bing cherries, peony and sandalwood mingled with pink peppercorn and the weathered leather of a whip.
For only $42 we’d recommend beginning your education here, so you start with a fine example of what an American GSM should be, giving you a benchmark with which to compare all others.
You can buy it here.
