Carignan (Cariñena in Spain, Cariganen in the USA) is a black-skinned wine grape variety, most likely native to Aragon. The variety is found in wines along the Mediterranean coast, particularly in northeastern Spain and in France’s Languedoc-Roussillon region.
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If you were ever sceptical about Organic wines, you have to give this one a try! This wine is Artisanal, Organic, Biodynamic, unfined and unfiltered. All with the aim to do as little intervention as possible and to let the Terroir speak for itself. Eric Texier Chat Fou natural red wine is a coupage of Grenache Tinta, Clairette and Marsanne, from the well known region of Côtes du Rhône.Eric Texier is a vigneron from Brézème, a municipality in the northern area of the Rhone Valley. Texier worked in nuclear engineering but switched to the world of wine in the early 1990s. He practices minimal viticulture and oenology, and attaches special importance to the management of the soils of his vineyards. The result is this superb wine a true example of natural wines and at the forefront of this movement. Eric is not a follower of fashion and speaks vehemently against those who label themselves as natural when it is used as a marketing tool rather than a true desire to understand the terroir. He believes that in most cases all natural wines taste the same! He vinifies all his wines in the same way, using as little intervention as possible to allow the terroir of his different parcels to do the talking. Hope it catches your eye! -
Seven years in the making, Chateau Musar Red is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan and Cinsault from vineyards near the Bekaa Valley villages of Aana and Kefraya on gravelly soils over limestone. Planted from the 1930s onwards, yields are low from these mature bushvines (average age: 40 years):. The varietal components are brought together two years after the harvest; the resulting blend is then placed back in cement tanks before being bottled 12 months later. After 4 years’ bottle maturation in the deep stone cellars of Chateau Musar, the finished wines are released a full seven years after the harvest. Bottled unfined and unfiltered, Chateau Musar Reds are suitable for vegans; they’re also richly-textured and likely to ‘throw a crust’. This is a common feature of most fine wines and is especially true of Musar Red vintages over a decade old. Ideally, bottles should be standing up the night before opening to allow the sediment to settle. After careful decanting (and discarding of sediment, usually in the last centimetre of the bottle) the wine should be allowed to breathe for an hour and served at 18°C with roasts, grills (especially lamb), casseroles, game, and mature cheeses. One of my favourite wines and at somewhate affordable price. -
Dominated by Carignan, this is a Minervois which will wow the senses and really impress with its value for money. The fruit for the Ramel Grand Cuvee were sourced from the Domaine de la Baquiere Estate, within the heart of the Languedoc Wine Region. From 23 hectares of vineyard on the slopes of the Montagne Noire where the Ramel-Mazard family winemaking dates back to 1726, forming traditional methods of production, with the fruit harvested by hand and each grape variety vinified separately in stainless steel. This is a medium/full bodied with bright ruby edge. Interesting and attractive nose, sweet blackberry, plum notes with a smoky, meaty complexion. Cherry notes too. Medium weight palate with sweet blackberry fruit, mocha and cherry tones. Tannins are grippy but well balanced and the 14% alcohol well integrated. Would suit Duck very well, or slow cooked meats stew style dishes. -
This is one of our favourite wine-finds of late! Priorat, a wine region in northeastern Spain, is known for stunning, terraced vineyards and robust red blends that often fetch a pretty penny. An old vine blend of Grenache, Carignan, Syrah, Cabernet and Merlot finished in French and American oak barrels. Notes of red cherry, chocolate define this silky & balanced wine! Lovely with Red meats, blue cheese or Chocolate. -
Miguel Torres Cordillera Carignan is a 100% Carignan, sourced from old, dry vineyard in the Maule Valley. Miguel Torres acquired a small winery in Curicó, in the Chilean central valley, in 1979. It was the first foreign company to back Chilean vineyard production. The excellent climate conditions for cultivating grapevines, with great temperature differences between night and day and lands are free of the grape phylloxera, have contributed to the fact that sublime wines are being made in lands from where one can view the greatness of the Andes, crowned by snow and a noble beauty. As of 2010 Miguel Torres Chile is directed by Miguel Torres Maczassek, a fifth generation Torres winemaker who moved to Chile with his family in order to maintain the tradition and passion for winemaking that the Torres family has demonstrated for over a hundred years. Some of the Carignan vines in the Maule Valley from which this wine is made are up to 80 years old and are some of the world’s oldest. Opaque, intense ruby red color. Floral and fruit aromas with toasty oak imparted undertones. The palate is big and unfolds beautifully. Here the notes perceived on the nose are complemented by hints of bay leaf and mint. Ideal with patés, duck confit, rice with meat or vegetables, roast or barbecued beef, ragouts and beef stews. -
A typical blend of almost century-old Carignan and Cabernet Sauvignon. The vineyard is treated with respect, neither chemicals nor weed killers are tolerated, in order to preserve the biodiversity of the surrounding flora and fauna. The favourable terroir of white limestone pebbles, combined with low yields, gives mineral wines, with a beautiful freshness , and concentrated fruit. Manual harvest in 15 kg crates with severe sorting in the vineyard. 3 weeks pellicular maceration which brings a lot of fullness. We will find the aromatic complexity of Carignan with some notes of pepper and a tannic structure provided by the Cabernet. the tannins are nevertheless very fine. Pair this Coté Obscur wine with beef entrecote, duck skewer and some soft cheese. A real treat! Would recommend to decant this for at least an hour. -
The wine Priorat Dits del Terra is a red wine produced in the Catalunya region, more precisely Priorat or the Torroja del Priorat in Spain, by Terroir al Limit. The vineyards are south facing in the sun-baked slate hills of Priorat and 60+ year old carignan vines are not usually harbingers of floral elegance and silken grace. And yet this gap between expectation and stunning creation is precisely what makes Dits de Terra so iconic. The vineyard, one of the original Terroir Al Limit holdings, honors the Cyprus trees that shade the historic Eremitas throughout the region. It is crafted using whole bunch fermentation and initial vinification in cement, then afforded a rare gift: time, in the form of 16 months in Stockinger foudres and cement, with a gentle and unobtrusive elevage. This care and attention elevates it into a fine, complex and fluid expression of different terroirs. The dark depths in the glass belie its ephemeral lightness in aroma and flavor. Breathy black fruits and a persistent herbality enhance the supple spice and suspended movement across the palate. Anise, fresh fennel and rose notes are underscored with a fluid web of balsamic accents - never weighty nor wide. The wine exudes gravitas with the elegant confidence that comes only from complete comfort in one’s own skin. Only 2000 bottles produced, Masterclass of a wine! -
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Craig and Carla Hawkins launched Testalonga in the north of Swartland, South Africa in 2008. They are part of a revolutionary ground swell taking place in South African wine, where traditions are being challenged and brave new territory is being explored. The painfully small amount of wine that this duo produces gets snapped up in short order the world over. Known for their striking intensity and nervy energy, Craig and Carla's wines are on the cutting edge of the natural wine movement in their country.This is the lightest, daintiest version of Carignan one could imagine. It's got more in common with, say a Jura rouge or something Cab-Franc-like out of the Loire Valley than a classic Rhone red.It's fresh, racy, filled with character and seasoned with a little wildness. Great with on summer afternoon, first courses, seasoned vegetables. Enjoy -
Gotes was the last to be incorporated into the Portal del Priorat's wine family, the Alfredo Arribas project in this denomination, and was envisioned to highlight the freshness of Priorat wines; gotes (drops) of freshness, like dewdrops. Don't expect to find in Gotes the more usual Priorat typicity, with profound maturity and intense minerality. Gotes reflects another type of Priorat wine, refined, in the French style (we mean 'French' as in Burgundy), with a fresh and floral profile. The typicity of Gotes is rooted in the countryside, in its notes of aromatic plants, and in that delightful warmth, because although fresh it is Mediterranean. Another special feature of Gotes is the polish and attention to detail it emits; it's an elegant wine; it has clearly been crafted by experts. If Gotes is refined on the nose, it's positively explosive on the palate! It grows and grows, with lots of volume and a very seductive sweetness and velvety texture. Gotes is fruit, but a very varied fruit cocktail: red fruits, black fruits, both fresh and jammy, the odd juicy stone fruit like mango (the Garnacha always leaves its mark) and fresh grapes that provide a citrusy touch. Ideal with dishes of a upper middle power taste. Will be excellent with a salad of figs and duck ham with Parmesan shavings. It will also be great taking with red meats, duck breast grilled or thigh kid with cider and soft alioli. -
Pour Ma Gueule means translated directly for my mouth but really means down my throat! Well if you taste this wine you will understanding the obvious meaning then... Clos de Fous means they’re all crazy. Well in a positive way, this is not too far from the truth and don't let the French here foul you, this is a Chilean wine from the renowed Itata Valley! This is a wine region in the southern end of Chile's long, thin wine producing zone. Unfortunately they are going through a moment where they are planting Chardonnay and Cab savs to serve the American market, but wineries likes this still stay true to their origins and place in the world and have gems like this. Hopeyou enjoy as much I did as it’s a curiosity but a fun wine at this price. Pair it with roasts, game, charcuterie — anything rich and spiced. -
This Sur La Lune from Le Clos du Gravillas is a dazzling expanse of white limestone pebbles on a plateau at an altitude of 300 meters in the Haut Languedoc Natural Park. Between the gorges of St Chinian and Minerve, surrounded by scrubland and holm oaks, the 8.30 hectare estate is managed with respect for the terroir, in organic farming with concern for the preservation of the biodiversity of fauna and the surrounding flora. This wine comes from 3 plots on the Cazelles plateau: Syrah from a place called “Esperandieu”, a very pretty place surrounded by hills covered with scrubland, almond trees, broom and oaks where they also planted 48 pomegranate trees, 25 fig trees as well as cherry and apricot trees. The 80 year old vine of Carignan planted with Grenache from the place called Carretals and the 40-year-old Carignan vine from the place called Roque de Beau. Serve rather chilled but not too cold, ensuring that the wine does not heat up excessively in the bottle or in the glasses. A slight opening time prior to service may be beneficial.vThis wine beyond all the technicallities and sense of place it is a straight wine without organoleptic deviation, without volatile phenols, pure, with perfect control and ultimately delicious. Slainte! -
Unlitro is produced from a blend of Alicante, Carignano, Mourvèdre, Sangiovese and Alicante Bouschet grapes coming from the youngest vineyards close to the sea.