Carignan
Carignan is a somewhat confusing red wine grape variety. It was once the most widely planted grape in France, right up until the late 20th century when Merlot arrived on the big stage, yet many wine drinkers to this day remain very unfamiliar with it.
Carignan vines are highly productive yielding large quantities of fruit, which is why many winemakers use it, or have used it, in regions such as Languedoc, to make high volume lower quality wines and blends. Today, it is on somewhat of a mini revival, being produced and nurtured as a quality red wine in its own right, particularly in warmer climates of Spain and Italy, notably Sardinia.
Carignan Tasting Notes
Raspberry
Cherry
Cloves
Cinnamon
Liquorice
Carignan boasts simple red berry flavours of raspberry and cherry. Spicy notes including cinnamon and star anise are also common, with liquorice flavours often in the background of most good quality Carignan wine. Palates can also pick up notes of smoked and cured meat.
Carignan Wine Style
Medium Bodied Red Wine
Light Full-BodiedCarignan wine is typically fruit-forward with a medium body, high tannins and equally high acidity. It has a deep colour, and is generally quite rustic in style with a certain earthiness. This isn’t a sophisticated wine, but certainly of high quality when treated right, or used carefully in blends to elevate other grape varieties. Definitely a great choice to pair with food!
Wine Regions
France
Spain
Italy
USA
This is a wine with many names. Carignan in France, largely known as Mazuela or Cariñena in Spain, in the USA its Carignane and in Italy they call it Carignano. Regardless of naming traditions, its spiritual homeland is almost certainly the Languedoc region in southern France, where it was once the driving force behind French wine production up until the late 20th century. Today, it fares particularly well in the warmer Mediterranean climates of Spain and Italy, thriving in Aragon, Sardinia, and over the pond in California.
What Food Goes with Carignan?
This is definitely a food wine! Carignan’s medium body allows it to be quite flexible when it comes to food, pairing equally well with both heavy and lighter dishes. To complement Carignan’s rustic style, pair with generally rustic food for simple yet hugely satisfying culinary enjoyment. Try beef brisket, roast pork with garlic potatoes, and spicy dishes matching the notes of cinnamon, cumin and star anise found in the wine. As with many reds, Carignan is a delight with a plate of cured meat and cheese – simple yet awesome!
