
The grape variety is at the heart of the wine's personality, color, fragrance and structure. In Languedoc where is surrounded by the coast of Mediterranean and soaked in sunshine, Carignan, Mouvedre (cepage rare) and Grenache produce surprisingly powerful wine.
Apart from its very approachable personality and strength in organic / biodynamic winemaking, the secret to Languedoc's good value and deliciousness lie in the uniqueness of the local grape varieties, namely Carignan, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre. Here we will focus only on Carignan because it's used to blend with other varieties in the majority of the Languedoc wines and it is four times more than the production of Cabernet Sauvignon in France, according to Jancis Robinson.
New series of Mas Foulaquier Winery - blend of Carignan, Grenache, Syrah |
Around three-quarters of France's Carignan is located in the Languedoc-Roussillon region, where it is largely produced as Vin de Table.
At our shop, we currently have Mas Foulaquier, which is a Pic Saint-Loup grower (Grand Cru du Languedoc), Domaine Sainte Eugenie and Chateau de Caraguilhes L'Echappee Belle of Corbieres Boutenac (Grand Cru), all of which are made up of mainly Carignan.
Robert Parker’s reviewer for the region called them “one of the six or eight most exciting and consistently excellent sources in the Languedoc,” rating most of their wines between 90 and 94 points. (source: Ansionia Wines)
Reference:
https://www.jancisrobinson.com/articles/does-southern-france-have-grands-crus
http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/prne/lapeira/52135/
http://www.internationalwinereport.com/index.php/awards-a-special-recognition/winery-overviews/2839-la-peira-en-damaisela