Blends abound, but one red is so popular it has its own shorthand: GSM. The letters stand for three grapes that hail from the valleys of the Rhône River—Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre—which altogether make a blend that’s today replicated worldwide.
But what makes a GSM different from other red blends? We queried wine professionals for the answer and why they love this classic Rhône-style offering.
What Does “GSM” Mean?
While the term “GSM” is attributed to Australian winemakers, the blend has older origins. Grenache (Garnacha) and Mourvèdre (Monastrell) appear to hail from Spain genetically, but the GSM triad grew to fame together along the Rhône River in southern France. There, they thrived in the steep hills of Côtes du Rhône thanks to the rocky boulders and Mediterranean sun of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. All three varietals appeared in the region by the end of the 18th century.
Winemakers in Châteauneuf-du-Pape created the French appellation system in 1936, cementing rules around the red blend. Today, 19 grape varieties are allowed in GSM, but at least 70% of the wine has to be from its three namesake varietals. Syrah is favored in the northern stretches of the Rhône, while Grenache and Mourvèdre lead more in the south.
Each member of the classic trio contributes different notes and styles. Generally speaking, Grenache delivers delicate red-fruit notes, while Syrah brings black fruits, structure and spice. Full-bodied Mourvèdre grounds the blend with plum and savory notes.
Steve Peck, vice president of winemaking at J. Lohr in California describes the harmony of this classic blend: “The star in this trio is most often Grenache which brings high-toned strawberry notes,” he says. “Syrah plays the mid-range–dark in color, often with white pepper notes. Mourvèdre plays the bass note bringing savage blue fruit aromas and tannic structure.”
Outside France, Where Do GSM Wines Thrive?
Southern France may be the blend’s traditional home, but GSM has found success worldwide. Winemakers told us that GSM does best when grown in vineyards with steep inclines, low rainfall, minerally and alluvial soils and hot summers. Hospitable for all three? Leading Syrah hubs including Spain, Argentina, South Australia, South Africa and parts of the United States.
In America, Paso Robles has proved a worthy landscape for Rhône varieties. The area’s 11 districts have intense slopes and canyons to the west and warmer, gentler terraces to the east. Robert Haas saw southern France in these rugged California hills’ limestone soils. In 1989, his Tablas Creek Winery planted direct cuttings from Châteauneuf-du-Pape and created a vineyard nursery for wineries around the country. Today, this “Rhone Zone” in California’s largest AVA is filled with Rhone varietal vineyards.
To the north, Washington state has rapidly grown its Rhône reputation over the last 15 years. East of the state’s stereotypically soggy coast, the Columbia Basin offers the extremes these varietals need. Meanwhile, in Oregon, the Rocks District of Milton Freewater, a sub-AVA in Walla Walla, even has a twist-your-ankle rocky top deposited along the fork of the Walla Walla River that mimics Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
“The Rocks District has big savory, velvety Syrahs unique to all of the West Coast,” says Sean Boyd, winemaker and owner of Rotie Cellars.
According to Boyd, AVAs in the region—like Snipes Mountain, Horse Heaven Hills, Rocky Reach and Columbia Gorge—all have the soils, steep relief and high heat that Grenache loves. “Then we have Mourvèdre, which is probably the favorite wine of the devil, because you want it hotter than hell and on steep cliffs without rainfall.”
GSMs Worth Your Attention
Epoch Veracity
Epoch is absolutely delighted to share the news that our 2021 Veracity is ranked as #3 (!!!!) on The Enthusiast 100, Wine Enthusiast‘s list of the 100 best wines of 2024. We are so excited about this awesome achievement and so grateful for Wine Enthusiast’s recognition of this truly delicious wine. Made up of 43% Mourvèdre, 34% Grenache, and 23% Syrah from all three of our vineyard sites, 2021 Veracity is a beautiful representation of what we do at Epoch. Congratulations to everyone on this year’s list!
Epoch Veracity is available, click here
Epoch Estate Blend
This wine is so integrated, even from an early age, that you will never guess it is a blend of five different varieties off of our Paderewski and Catapult Vineyards. The entry is full and lush leading to an über long and velvety midpalate which encircles the mouth. While we revel in its plushness, it never feels too heavy or thick as the cohesive acid weaves its way through the sensations of black licorice, black cherry and raspberry, grilled meats and herbs, candied lavender, rose oil, warm underbrush, and vanilla bean.
Epoch Estate Blend is available, click here
Epoch Ingenuity
Petite Sirah is the leading grape of the Ingenuity and future vintages. It is still the “Paso Roblean Rhone Blend," but with a bit more identity, purpose and well, Petite-Sirah-ness.
Epoch Ingenuity is available, click here
Epoch Block B
Always 100% Syrah. Always 100% Paderewski. Always 100% Block 13. The fruit for this wine hails from clone 174 vines grown on the east-facing Block 13, known as Block B, within our Paderewski Vineyard.
Epoch Block B is available, click here
Epoch Authenticity
Authenticity is a very authentic blend with primarily Syrah from one very steep limestone hillside at Paderewski and blended with a neighboring block of Mourvèdre to yield a supple, sultry and seamless wine that is classically Paderewski. Sometimes we co-ferment some Syrah with a neighboring Viognier block to add a little spice and freshness to the mix. This wine is deemed “The Bill Wine” because it has many gears – big and bold yet elegant and refined.
Epoch Authenticity is available, click here
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