Carignan
Carignan (Spanish: Mazuelo or Cariñena; French: Carignan) is a red grape variety historically associated with high yields and bulk production but increasingly valued for quality wines from old vines. It is cultivated widely across the Mediterranean, particularly in Spain and southern France, as well as in parts of the New World.[1]
Background and Origins
The grape is thought to have originated in Aragón, in north-eastern Spain, where it was historically linked to the town of Cariñena, now a Denominación de Origen Protegida (DOP).[2] From there, it spread throughout the Iberian Peninsula, southern France, and North Africa, becoming one of the most widely planted red varieties of the 20th century.
In Spain, the variety is most often called Mazuelo in regions such as Rioja, while the name Cariñena persists in its area of origin. In France, where it became especially important in Languedoc-Roussillon, it is known simply as Carignan.[3]
Viticultural Characteristics
Carignan is a vigorous, late-ripening vine that requires warm conditions to achieve full maturity. It is well adapted to hot, dry climates but is also sensitive to diseases such as powdery mildew and rot. Its bunches are large and compact, which can exacerbate disease pressure.[4]
The grape is naturally high in acidity, tannin, and colour, producing wines that are often deeply pigmented but can be coarse if yields are excessive. To achieve quality, Carignan requires careful site selection, low yields, and, ideally, the use of old vines.[5]
Use in Winemaking
Carignan has long been regarded as a blending grape, valued for its ability to contribute colour, acidity, and structure to wines based on softer varieties such as Grenache. It is a component of many blends in southern France, especially in the Languedoc and Roussillon, where it is often combined with Syrah and Mourvèdre.[6]
In Spain, Carignan plays a supporting role in Rioja wines and is also prominent in Priorat, where old-vine plantings contribute depth and longevity to blends with Grenache.[7]
Beyond Europe, the grape has been cultivated in California and Chile, where interest in old-vine Carignan bottlings has grown. These varietal expressions highlight its capacity to produce wines with freshness, dark fruit, and robust structure when handled with care.[8]
See also
References
- ↑ Robinson, Harding & Vouillamoz, Wine Grapes, HarperCollins, 2012.
- ↑ Consejo Regulador DO Cariñena, “Historia y el viñedo”, docarinena.com. (Spanish original)
- ↑ Robinson (ed.), The Oxford Companion to Wine, Oxford University Press, 2015.
- ↑ Robinson, Harding & Vouillamoz, Wine Grapes, 2012.
- ↑ Johnson & Robinson, The World Atlas of Wine, 8th ed., Mitchell Beazley, 2019.
- ↑ Stevenson, The Sotheby’s Wine Encyclopedia, 5th ed., DK, 2011.
- ↑ Robinson (ed.), The Oxford Companion to Wine, 2015.
- ↑ Robinson, Harding & Vouillamoz, Wine Grapes, 2012.