Comparison
Australian Grenache vs Cru Beaujolais
How Australian Grenache and Cru Beaujolais differ, dimension by dimension.
The short answer
The main differences: Australian Grenache has more herbal / green character; Australian Grenache has more spice; Cru Beaujolais has more earthy character.
Choose
Australian Grenache
Choose Australian Grenache if you want something more herbal and green, spicier, stronger and warmer.
Where they genuinely differ
Only differences large enough to notice in the glass are listed here. A gap of half a point on a five-point scale is noise, and WineHQ does not dress it up as a finding.
Herbal / green character
Clear differenceHerbs, grass, blackcurrant leaf, capsicum and other green notes, largely driven by methoxypyrazines and picking decisions.
Australian Grenache is more herbal and green: medium against low.
Spice
Clear differencePepper, clove, cinnamon and related spice notes, whether from the grape (as with rotundone in Syrah) or from oak.
Australian Grenache is spicier: medium against low.
Earthy character
Clear differenceForest floor, mushroom, wet stone, clay and undergrowth notes. Frequently, though not exclusively, associated with cooler and more traditional styles.
Cru Beaujolais is earthier: medium against low.
Alcohol
Clear differencePerceived alcoholic strength, which tracks actual ABV but is modified by sweetness, acidity and body.
Australian Grenache is stronger and warmer: medium-plus against medium.
Body
Clear differenceThe overall weight and viscosity of the wine in the mouth — a composite of alcohol, sugar, extract and glycerol.
Australian Grenache is fuller and richer: medium-plus against medium.
Savoury character
Clear differenceNon-fruit, umami-adjacent character: meat, leather, olive, soy, broth, cured notes. Often increases with age.
Cru Beaujolais is more savoury: medium against low-medium.
Where they are much the same
Just as useful: knowing which parts of the choice do not matter.
- Sweetness: Similar — both low.
- Acidity: Similar — both medium-plus.
- Tannin: Similar — both medium.
- Fruit intensity: Similar — both medium-plus.
- Aromatic intensity: Similar — both medium.
Full side by side
| Dimension | Australian Grenache | Cru Beaujolais |
|---|---|---|
| Herbal / green character | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | low (1/5) |
| Spice | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | low (1/5) |
| Earthy character | low (1/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Alcohol | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Body | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Savoury character | low-medium (2/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Perceived freshness | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) |
| Texture | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Sweetness | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Acidity | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) |
| Tannin | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium (3/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Fruit intensity | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Aromatic intensity | medium (3/5) | medium (3/5) |
| Oak influence | typically low-medium, ranging from low to medium (2/5) | typically low-medium, ranging from low to medium (2/5) |
| Floral character | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Carbonation | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Serve at | 14–16°C | 14–16°C |
| Typical flavours | red cherry, raspberry, rose, white pepper, dried herbs | dark cherry, violet, granite, raspberry, iris |
Values are typical points within each wine’s range. Both wines vary — see the individual pages for how much.
Read more
Style
Australian Grenache
Old bush-vine Grenache from McLaren Vale and the Barossa — perfumed, medium-bodied and transformed from its jammy past.
Style
Cru Beaujolais
Gamay from the ten named granite hills — structured, mineral and ageworthy, and nothing like Beaujolais Nouveau.
Comparison
Beaujolais vs Cru Beaujolais
Is a named cru worth several times the price of basic Beaujolais?