W3 Wine School

World Famous Grapes

Carignano

Carignan

The Carignano grape is highly resistant to over-ripening. It grows well on old vines and in dry, warm soils.

Carignano wines has notes reminiscent of wild red berries and produces a very good expression of fresh fruit with good acidity and dry, lively tannins.

About Carignano

The Carignano grape is called:

  • Carignan in France
  • Cariñena in Spain
  • Carignano in Italy
  • Mazuleo in La Rioja (Spain)

About Carignan

Carignan is found as a blendig wine all around the world:

  • In many DOs in Spain
  • In many AOCs in France
  • In many DOCs in Italy
  • In many AVAs in the USA

In France, about 30% of Carignan is plasnted in Languedoc-Roussillon, where it normally produces wines like "Vin de Pays" or "Vin de France".

In Spain it grows mainly in Aragon and Catalonia (DO Priorat and DO Montsant).

Carignan is also planted in Argentina, Australia, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Israel, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, South Africa, Tunisia and Turkey.

Carignano Flavors

Cherry, Red Berries, and Black Currant are typical Carignano flavors, with hints of Flowers, Herbs and Spices.

Red Cherry
Cherry
Cranberry
Cranberry
Raspberry
Raspberry
Black Currant
Black
Currant
Flowers
Flowers
Herbs
Herbs
Spices
Spices
Licoricer
Licorice

Flavors from Maturation and Aging

Oak
Oak
Vanilla
Vanilla
Nuts
Hazelnuts
Cured Meat
Cured Meat

Carignano Profile

Carignano is naturally high in acidity and tannins:

SUGAR:Dry (3 g/l)
BODY:Medium
TANNINS:Medium - High
FRUIT:Medium
ACIDITY:Medium - High
ALCOHOL:12.5-14% ABV
Temperature Serving temperature:
15-16°C (59-61°F)

Carignano Food Pairing

Carignano is a food friendly table wine.

Salami
Salami
Ham
Ham
Chicken
Chicken
Turkey
Turkey
Pork
Pork
Lamb
Lamb
Veal
Veal
Red Meat
Beef

Excellent Pairings

Smoked Meat.
BBQ. Chicken. Turkey. Pork. Lamb.
Beef. Veal. Roast. Grilled.


The Ideal Glass for Carignano

The Bordeaux Glass was designed for enjoying fuller-bodied, tannic red wines. They are taller than other red wine glasses, and has a slimmer bowl.

The tall size allows the bouquet of the wine to develop, smooth out rough edges, play down tannins, and allow the wine to achieve balance.

The slimmer bowl directs the wine to the back of your mouth for a maximum taste.

If You Like Carignano

You Might Also Like:

Cabernet Franc (France)
Chianti Classico (Italy)
Douro Tinto (Portugal)
GSM Wines (France)
Mencia (Spain)
Merlot (France)
Montepulciano d'Abruzzo (Italy)
Ribera del Duero (Spain)
Sangiovese (Italy)
Tempranillo (Spain)
Tinta de Toro (Spain)

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