Carignan aka Cariñena aka Mazuelon

Carignan (“care-in-yen”) is a medium-bodied red wine also known as Mazuelo or Cariñena. It is a red grape variety of Spanish origin that is more commonly found in French wine, but is widely planted throughout the western Mediterranean and around the globe. in recent years, it has been reborn as a flagship wine for many cellars in the south of France as well as in Catalonia. Ampelographers believe that the grape likely originated in Cariñena, Aragon and was later transplanted to Sardinia, elsewhere in Italy, France, Algeria, and much of the New World. The variety was historically a component of Rioja’s red wine blend. In winemaking, the grape is often used as a deep colouring component in blends, rather than being made in a varietal form with some exceptions. Carignan can be a difficult variety for winemakers to work due to its naturally high acidity, tannins, and astringency which requires a lot of skill to produce a wine of finesse and elegance. Many producers are reinvigorating old vineyards and making tremendously rich, red fruit-driven wines that will blow your mind. Some winemakers have also experimented with carbonic maceration and adding small amounts of Cinsault and Grenache with some positive results. Syrah and Grenache are considered its best blending partners being capable of yielding a softer wine with rustic fruit and perfume. The thing to keep in mind with this wine is to expand on its natural spice flavourings of cinnamon, cumin, 5-spice powder, star anise and dried herbs by also adding them to the dish. If you do this, the wine will bring out the spices and sweeten the flavour of the pairing. It’s magical. With its bold red fruit and earthy-meaty notes, Carignan is ideal with richer poultry dishes (turkey, duck), roasted pork, or even a meaty beef brisket.