The Wine Reference🍷 SupportCarignan grape
Carignan is a red grape known for blackberry, cherry, herbs. Its best-known homes are Languedoc, Sardinia.
Origin and history
Originally from Aragon in Spain, named after the town of Cariñena; once the most planted grape in France, largely in the Languedoc.
Where it grows
Languedoc-Roussillon (Corbières, Minervois, Faugères), Spain (Priorat, Montsant, Rioja as Mazuelo), Sardinia (Carignano del Sulcis), Chile's Maule and California.
Structure
Medium to full body, deep colour, high acidity and high, sometimes astringent tannins; old vines give the best balance.
Aromas, young and aged
Young: blackberry, black cherry, red plum, liquorice and dried herbs. With age: dried fruit, leather, earth and savoury spice.
Ageing
Most best within 2–6 years; old-vine examples from Priorat or Sardinia age 10–15.
Also known as
Cariñena, Mazuelo (Rioja), Samsó (Catalonia), Carignano (Sardinia), Carignane (US).
Good to know
In Chile's Maule Valley, VIGNO is a growers' association making dry-farmed, old-vine Carignan, Chile's first producer-led wine appellation.
Wine regions for Carignan
Carignan wines to try
Real bottles from The Wine Library.
Álvaro Palacios L'Ermita
Priorat · Garnacha / Grenache, Carignan
Old-vine Garnacha on slate: dark cherry, herbs and a mineral core.
Food: Lamb, grilled meats
Argiolas Turriga
Sardinia · Isola dei Nuraghi · Cannonau, Carignan
Sardinia's flagship red: ripe dark fruit, myrtle, spice and velvety tannins.
Food: Roast suckling pig, lamb, pecorino sardo
Campo Viejo Reserva
Rioja · Tempranillo, Graciano, Carignan
Classic, affordable Rioja: red cherry, vanilla and sweet spice from oak.
Food: Lamb chops, chorizo, tapas
Château Musar Rouge
Bekaa Valley · Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault, Carignan
Lebanon's icon: spicy, earthy and long-lived, released late.
Food: Lamb, mezze
Familia Torres Grans Muralles
Conca de Barberà · Garnacha / Grenache, Carignan, Monastrell
Torres flagship from old Poblet vineyards with native varieties: dark fruit, herbs, minerals and great depth.
Food: Roast suckling lamb, game pie, truffled dishes
Similar red grapes
Explore all grapes in the interactive guide
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