Sip the West's hottest new varietal

Grenache just might be the most widely planted red wine grape in the world that almost no one knows about. That's because it's usually buried in blends with Syrah and other red Rhône varieties, so until recently its lush red fruit and lively spicy character were totally unknown. The good news is that West Coast winemakers are fixing that now—bottling Grenache all on its own. With bright cherry fruit, velvety textures, layers of mocha, and a hit of black pepper, the wine is an instant crowd pleaser. Taste some of our favorites:

• Paso Robles, California: Austin Hope Winery
• Prosser, Washington: Milbrandt Vineyards
• Cupertino in the Santa Cruz Mountains: NapaRidge Vineyards