Carignan (Cariñena)

Carignan

REGIONS

  • France: Languedoc-Roussillon
  • Spain: Priorat, Aragon, Rioja
  • Italy: Sardinia
  • Other: Algeria, Chile, USA, Israel

OCCASION

  • A well balanced wine with medium body that goes with a lot of dishes and agrees with many preferences

HOW TO SERVE

  • Decanting up to 1 hour
  • 16 – 20 °C (61 – 68 °F)
  • Universal glass

FOOD & CHEESE

  • Grilled, marinated meat and vegetables like bell peppers, tomatoes, spicy food, sweet potatoes
  • Young Manchego, Cheddar, Gouda, Parmesan

Carignan is a red grape that originated in Spain but is widely spread in France, Italy, Algeria and other parts of the New World.

Its vines have big, tight clusters which love hot and dry climates. The grape is not the easiest to grow as it is easily affected by mildew and rot. It is also prone to high yields which means lower quality.

The best Carignan comes from old bush vines (straight rows with the same height used in dry, hot climates to protect the sensitive vines from drought) which have low yields and produce grapes with intense flavors. If you are looking for a good bottle of Carignan, look for one that comes from old vines. Another challenge with these vines is that usually the stems are very tough which means that they need to be hand picked.

Carignan is rarely used in varietal wines and it is most commonly blended with other grapes like Grenache, adding tannin and acidity to the mix.

Carignan Regions

Carignan, carinena, priorat, rioja

Spain

  • Called Cariñena, Samsó, Mazeulo
  • Regions: Priorat, Aragon
  • Often blended with Grenache
  • Called Samsó in Catalonia and Mazuelo in Rioja

France

  • Called Carignan
  • Regions: Languedoc-Roussillon (Fitou, Faugères, Corbières)
  • Often bleded with Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault
  • In Languedoc-Roussillon it is mainly produced as table wine

Italy

  • Called Carignano de Sulcis
  • Region: Sardinia
  • Sardinia has the right dry and hot climate for this grape
  • Not only used in blends but also as varietal wines
  • Wines produced here are rich in flavor and texture
Carignan, Cariñena, mas Pujol, wine, cotes du roussillon, French wine

L’Originel

Mas Pujol, Organic wine, 2019

  • Producer: Mas Pujol
  • Region: France, Languedoc – Roussillon
  • Blend: 70% Carignan, 30% Syrah
  • Alcohol content: 13%
  • Tasting notes: liquorice, cherry, red fruit, not too crisp, medium tannin, medium body, on the nose it smells like an organic wine, more mineral than fruity