The chicest al fresco dining spots in London to book now

From lavender-trimmed terraces with river views to hidden sun-trap courtyards, we’ve rounded up some of London’s best outdoor spots to secure a place at

One of the few new restaurants to launch in lockdown in 2020, Hugh Stanley’s eponymous venture was the eatery du jour for Chelsea’s smart set, with the likes of the Sangsters, d’Abos and Blandfords clinking glasses of Whispering Angel in its striped upholstered booths all summer long. With a brilliantly British menu by Masterchef: The Professionals alumna Olivia Burt (you must try the sourdough crumpets with shrimp and potted crab) it’s the perfect place to dip your toe back onto the social scene come April.

Everything You Need to Know About Grenache

Grenache shines on its own and plays an important role in some of the greatest blends in the world.

other wine professionals tend to have great respect for it, but among consumers, it is far too often overshadowed by more famous red varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah. That shouldn’t be the case: Not only are varietally labeled bottlings of Grenache capable of fantastic complexity in places like California’s Central Coast and Spain’s Campo de Borja and Cariñena regions, but its role in the legendary blends of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Rioja cannot be overstated.
To make the most of Grenache, and to understand its contributions around the world, check out our guide to Grenache below.

What Is Grenache Wine?

Grenache wine is produced in many countries and in a range of styles. Its most well-known versions are red, but Grenache also plays an important role in rosés, too. In most of the world it is referred to as Grenache or, less frequently, Grenache Noir, but in Spain and other Spanish-speaking wine-producing countries, it’s known as Garnacha. No matter what it’s called, Grenache / Garnacha is the source of excellent red and rosé wine, whether bottled on its own or blended with other grape varieties. Grenache Blanc, or Garnacha Blanca, is the white version of the grape variety, and important in the white wines of Priorat in Spain and the Rhône Valley (and crucial in the Southern Rhône Valley) in France.

Where Does Grenache Wine Come From?

Grenache is most famously employed in France and Spain. In France, it is one of the key grape varieties in the Rhône Valley, and it’s one of the 13 permitted grape varieties in the Southern Rhône’s Châteauneuf-du-Pape, often playing a key role. It also is frequently found in Côtes du Rhône red blends, lending them vivid cherry and scrubby dried herb notes. Not far from the Rhône Valley, in Provence, Grenache is a key component in the region’s renowned rosé wines, too.
In Spain, Garnacha can be widely found in places like Campo de Borja and Cariñena (the region, not the grape of the same name) and as key components in the famous red blends of Rioja (where it joins Tempranillo) and Priorat, where it is often blended with Cariñena (the grape variety also known as Carignan), Cabernet Sauvignon, and more. In California, it does notably well in the Central Coast — producers like Bonny Doon and Sine Qua Non are deeply tied to Grenache – and in Australia it has found a happy home in McLaren Vale. In Sardinia, where it’s called Cannonau, it produces excellent reds, too. The sweet wines of Maury and Banyuls in France’s Roussillon are dominated by Grenache. And given its ability to thrive in warmer climates, it is also no surprise that Israeli producers are finding success with it, too.

Why Should You Drink Grenache Wine?

Wines produced from Grenache have the potential to appeal to a broad range of wine lovers. The Newfound Grenache from Shake Ridge Vineyard in the Sierra Foothills of California, for example, is bright, energetic, and bursts with mouthwatering red berry fruit, whereas the Herman Story “On the Road” Grenache is a far more powerful and decadent expression. Both are excellent, accurate representations of the wide spectrum of aromas, flavors, and textures that Grenache is capable of.

Grenache is also wonderfully food-friendly. With its typical underpinning of spices and scrubby herbs, it works well alongside grilled meats, serves as an admirable partner for fruit-based sauces, and even sings with pizza. Australian GSM blends (Grenache / Syrah / Mourvedre) are classics with barbecue.
On top of that, Grenache is an excellent lens through which to experience the character of the place it was grown. Harvesting Grenache from the famously rock-strewn vineyards of parts of Châteauneuf-du-Pape results in a totally different expression of the variety than when it’s picked from the schist-based land of Spain’s Priorat region. And in a world of generally increasing temperatures, Grenache is proving to be a very good option to handle these often challenging conditions.

What Does Grenache Taste Like?

Grenache tends to be built on a base of vivid cherry and berry fruit. In warmer vintages, those fruit notes can be quite ripe and powerful; it’s not uncommon to see Grenache-based wines with relatively high alcohol levels and often hints of licorice. Grenache also boasts spice notes that work well when blended with Syrah or Tempranillo, as well as dried or scrubby herb characteristics. Red Grenache is best enjoyed at slightly cooler than room temperature; a 20-minute stint in the refrigerator (assuming it’s not being pulled directly from a 55-degree wine cellar) will allow the fruit and spice to really shine.

Five Great Grenache Wines

There are countless great Grenache wines on the market today. These five producers, listed alphabetically, are the perfect place to start.

Château d’Esclans “Whispering Angel” Rosé

This classic rosé incorporates Grenache into the blend, and it has become one of the most reliably popular bottlings from Provence on the American market.

Can only mean one thing…

At long last, summer is here and rosé season is officially upon us – long may it continue.

We hope that this summer will be the most glamorous one yet so the Chateau d’Esclans team has been hard at work to bring a touch of rosé magic to some of the most beautiful locations in the world. From yachts in Monaco, to polo fields in England, to beaches in Miami to rooftops in Paris, our rosés will be found at exclusive events and global hot spots this season. 

As the summer stretches out ahead of us, we are only just getting started and we hope that you’ll join us… and embark on your own rosé journey. 

Giorgio Armani Tennis Classic, The Hurlingham Club, London UK

Henley Royal Regatta, UK

Montreux Jazz Festival, Switzerland

Chateau Carbide, Chicago, US

Bastille Day Celebration and concert in the park, Central Park NYC, US

Whispering Angel Beach Terrace at Hotel Maestral, Montenegro

British Grand Prix, Silverstone UK

Sand Polo, Sandbanks UK

British Open Golf, St Andrews Scotland

The Summer Garden at Le Jardinier, Miami, US

Bouloud Sur Mer, NYC, DC & Palm Beach, US

French Grand Prix, Le Castellet France

Qatar Goodwood, UK

Monaco Yacht Show, Monaco

Les Voiles de Saint Tropez, France

Art Basel – Switzerland 

Rosé on Rodeo at Beverly Wilshire Hotel, Los Angeles, US

The Culinary Garden at the Inn at Hastings Park, Boston, US

Summer at the Surf Lodge, Montauk, US

Hamptons Classic, Bridge Hampton, US