The Wine Reference🍷 SupportCinsault grape
Cinsault is a red grape known for red cherry, strawberry, floral. Its best-known homes are Languedoc, South Africa.
Origin and history
An old variety of southern France, probably from Provence or the Languedoc, valued for heat and drought tolerance.
Where it grows
Languedoc and Provence (especially rosé), the southern Rhône, South Africa, Lebanon's Bekaa Valley, Morocco and Puglia.
Structure
Light to medium body, pale colour, moderate acidity and low, soft tannins.
Aromas, young and aged
Young: red cherry, strawberry, raspberry and floral, perfumed notes. With age (old-vine examples): dried cherry, earth and spice.
Ageing
Most best within 1–4 years; old-vine South African and Lebanese reds can age 10.
Also known as
Cinsaut, Hermitage (historic South African name), Ottavianello (Puglia).
Good to know
Crossed with Pinot Noir in 1925 by Abraham Perold, it gave South Africa Pinotage; it is also a key part of Lebanon's Château Musar.
Wine regions for Cinsault
Cinsault wines to try
Real bottles from The Wine Library.
Château d'Esclans Whispering Angel
Provence · Côtes de Provence · Grenache Rosé, Cinsault
Pale and dry: strawberry, peach and a crisp finish.
Food: Salads, grilled prawns
Gérard Bertrand Côte des Roses Rosé
Languedoc-Roussillon · Languedoc · Grenache Rosé, Cinsault, Syrah / Shiraz
Pale and fresh: redcurrant, citrus peel and a floral, gently saline finish.
Food: Grilled fish, salads, tapenade
De Martino Viejas Tinajas Cinsault
Itata Valley · Itata · Cinsault
Old vines aged in clay jars: juicy strawberry, red cherry and floral notes.
Food: Charcuterie, roast chicken, tuna
Château La Gordonne Côtes de Provence Rosé
Provence · Côtes de Provence · Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah
Pale, dry Provence rosé: peach, citrus and a saline finish.
Food: Salade niçoise, grilled prawns
Château Minuty Rose et Or
Provence · Côtes de Provence · Grenache, Cinsault
Very pale, refined rosé with citrus, white peach and fresh minerality.
Food: Seafood, sushi
Domaines Ott Château Romassan Bandol Rosé
Provence · Bandol · Mourvèdre, Grenache, Cinsault
Structured Bandol rosé with stone fruit, spice and a long finish.
Food: Grilled fish, lamb
Domaines Ott Clos Mireille Rosé
Provence · Côtes de Provence · Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah
Seaside Provence rosé: delicate, saline and fresh.
Food: Seafood platter
Château Musar Rouge
Bekaa Valley · Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault, Carignan
Lebanon's icon: spicy, earthy and long-lived, released late.
Food: Lamb, mezze
A.A. Badenhorst Secateurs Red Blend
Swartland · Syrah, Cinsault, Grenache
Juicy, spicy Swartland red.
Food: BBQ, pizza
Thorne & Daughters Wanderer's Heart
Swartland · Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault
Fresh, fragrant Rhône-style Cape blend.
Food: Lamb, charcuterie
Château d'Aqueria Tavel
Rhône Valley · Tavel · Garnacha / Grenache, Cinsault, Clairette
Deep, structured rosé with redcurrant, strawberry and spice; a rosé for the table.
Food: Bouillabaisse, grilled lamb, paella
Domaine Tempier Bandol Rosé
Provence · Bandol · Mourvèdre, Grenache, Cinsault
A serious rosé: wild strawberry, peach skin and garrigue, with more body and length than most.
Food: Bouillabaisse, grilled sea bass
Similar red grapes
Explore all grapes in the interactive guide
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