In 2010, 250 wine producers, merchants, journalists and aficionados met in Crestet, in the Southern Rhône, for the first International Grenache Symposium; with the aim of formulating a plan to raise the profile of Grenache – the world's most widely planted grape.

One of the results was a decision to organise an International Grenache Day, to increase awareness of the varietal to a point where its name is called over the bar with a similar frequency to Merlot or Pinot Noir. In 2010 over 23,000 organisations and individuals over each and every continent participated in G-Day, hosting tastings or implementing special offers.

Throughout the year, Grenache events have been held all over the world, including VinExpo in Bordeaux, The Climate Change Conference in Marbella and the London International Wine Fair in, well, London.

An interactive map has been set up, so that consumers can locate their nearest event on 23 September, and operators can upload and publicise their own Grenache celebration.

News item from Imbibe.com, 30-08-2011