Not every grape needs to be the star of the show. Grenache and Merlot have built their reputations doing something quieter, and arguably harder: making other wines better.

Grenache brings warmth, juicy red fruit and spice to a Rhône-style blend. Merlot brings roundness, plush fruit and a generous mid-palate to Cabernet Sauvignon. Neither insists on being the loudest voice in the room, but both play important roles in some of the world's most celebrated wines.

And when they're given the chance to stand on their own, that same generous, approachable character shines through.

Grenache, On Its Own

Grenache can produce wines that are juicy, fragrant and immediately likeable, with everything from bright red fruit and spice to richer, more full-bodied styles.

Orlando Cellar 13 Grenache, from the Barossa Valley, is a standout example, with rose petal, ripe plum and a whisper of white pepper, plush through the mid-palate with fine, elegant tannins. It was named Best Grenache at the 2025 Melbourne Royal Wine Awards.

For a different expression entirely, Campo Viejo Garnacha, from Spain, shows the grape's Old World side: soft, silky and intensely fruity, with notes of strawberry, cherry and violet.

Grenache, In a Blend

Grenache's classic blending partnership is Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvèdre (sometimes labelled Mataro on Australian bottles, the same grape by another name), the famous Rhône combination that Australian winemakers know as GSM.

Grenache brings red fruit, warmth and spice. Shiraz adds depth, richness and weight, while Mourvèdre contributes structure, savoury character and spice. The result is a wine where each grape plays a different role.

Grant Burge Holy Trinity GSM and Rolf Binder Heinrich Shiraz Mataro Grenache both showcase this Barossa tradition: complex, layered wines built by three varieties working in harmony.

Merlot, On Its Own

Merlot at its best is rich, supple and generous, with plenty of fruit but enough structure to keep things interesting.

Church Road McDonald Series Merlot, from Hawke's Bay in New Zealand, is ripe and aromatic, with dense plum and dark berry fruit, rich weight and firm yet fine-grained tannins.

For something rarer, Petaluma Yellow Label Coonawarra Merlot shows a different side of the grape entirely, savoury and composed, with cranberry and salted plum framed by tight, energetic tannins and real length.

Merlot, In a Blend

Merlot's most famous blending partnership is with Cabernet Sauvignon, particularly in Bordeaux.

Where Cabernet Sauvignon brings structure, tannin and backbone, Merlot contributes roundness, supple texture and generous fruit, helping create a wine that's both powerful and approachable.

Petaluma Evans Vineyard Coonawarra Cabernet Merlot is a benchmark example of this partnership, elegant yet powerful with silky tannins and impressive length.

Meanwhile, Brookland Valley Estate Cabernet Merlot, from Margaret River, brings the same philosophy to a different region, with style, elegance and the depth that comes from carefully selected Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

Two Grapes, One Job Done Beautifully

Whether you try them solo or in a blend, Grenache and Merlot share a useful gift: they can make wine more approachable without making it any less interesting.

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