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Did you know that for nearly 40 years, the most planted grape in all of France wasn’t Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Pinot Noir? Nope. It was Carignan—a Spanish grape that, despite its French dominance, is actually native to Aragón, Spain.
From 1960 until the late 1990s, Carignan covered more vineyard area than any other cultivar in France.
It was only in the towards the turn of the millenium that Merlot snuck into first place.
So why was Carignan so popular?
In this video, we discuss why Carignan became so prevalent, as well as why it has largely slipped from prominence in France.
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👃🏼 The vanguard carries a mix of vibrant red fruit, candy, and spice.
There’s cherry candy and raspberry, but also a moodier herbs and spices; presenting as a mix of pink peppercorn, cardamom, and tomato leaf.

👄 A totally red-fruited affair, but with a fascinating balance:
One senses bright cranberry and sour cherry upfront. softened by a candied red toffee apple sweetness. There is a lovely sense of elegance and poise in place of the harsh tannins that one might expect from a young Carignan vine… or even the intense concentration one might pre-empt from old vines.