Cinsaut
Encyclopedia
Cinsaut or Cinsault is a red wine
grape
, whose heat tolerance and productivity make it important in Languedoc-Roussillon
and the former French colonies of Algeria and Morocco. It is often blended with grapes such as Grenache
and Carignane
to add softness and bouquet.
It has many synonyms, of which perhaps the most confusing is its sale as a table grape called 'Oeillade', although it is different from the "true" Oeillade which is no longer cultivated. In South Africa
, it was known as "Hermitage", hence the name of its most famous cross Pinotage
.
.
devoted to Cinsaut - Ostuni Ottavianello
, with a total production of less than 1000 cases. However, Cinsaut has long been used in Puglian blends, and has begun to attract the attention of winemakers interested in reviving old varieties.
.
much of which is blended with Cabernet Sauvignon
. It holds a special place in the country's viticulture along side Pinot Noir
as one of the parents of Pinotage
.
in Washington.
Some Cinsaut is planted in California
as Black Malvoisie.
Wine
Wine is an alcoholic beverage, made of fermented fruit juice, usually from grapes. The natural chemical balance of grapes lets them ferment without the addition of sugars, acids, enzymes, or other nutrients. Grape wine is produced by fermenting crushed grapes using various types of yeast. Yeast...
grape
Grape
A grape is a non-climacteric fruit, specifically a berry, that grows on the perennial and deciduous woody vines of the genus Vitis. Grapes can be eaten raw or they can be used for making jam, juice, jelly, vinegar, wine, grape seed extracts, raisins, molasses and grape seed oil. Grapes are also...
, whose heat tolerance and productivity make it important in Languedoc-Roussillon
Languedoc-Roussillon
Languedoc-Roussillon is one of the 27 regions of France. It comprises five departments, and borders the other French regions of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Rhône-Alpes, Auvergne, Midi-Pyrénées on the one side, and Spain, Andorra and the Mediterranean sea on the other side.-Geography:The region is...
and the former French colonies of Algeria and Morocco. It is often blended with grapes such as Grenache
Grenache
Grenache is one of the most widely planted red wine grape varieties in the world. It ripens late, so it needs hot, dry conditions such as those found in Spain, the south of France, and California's San Joaquin Valley. It is generally spicy, berry-flavored and soft on the palate with a relatively...
and Carignane
Carignane
Carignan is a red wine grape that may have originated in Cariñena, Aragon and was later transplanted to Sardinia, elsewhere in Italy, France, Algeria, and much of the New World. Along with Aramon, it was once considered one of the main grapes responsible for France's wine lake. In California, the...
to add softness and bouquet.
It has many synonyms, of which perhaps the most confusing is its sale as a table grape called 'Oeillade', although it is different from the "true" Oeillade which is no longer cultivated. In South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, it was known as "Hermitage", hence the name of its most famous cross Pinotage
Pinotage
Pinotage is a red wine grape that is South Africa's signature variety. It was bred there in 1925 as a cross between Pinot noir and Cinsaut...
.
History
Cinsault appears to be an ancient variety that may have originated in the Hérault, but could equally have been brought by traders from the eastern Mediterranean.Algeria
Cinsaut is popular in Algeria for its drought resistance, and is used to make large volumes of wine.Australia
Cinsaut is grown under a variety of names such as Black Prince, Blue Imperial, Oeillade and UlliadeFrance
Cinsaut is the fourth most widely-planted grape variety in France, and is especially important in Languedoc-RoussillonLanguedoc-Roussillon
Languedoc-Roussillon is one of the 27 regions of France. It comprises five departments, and borders the other French regions of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Rhône-Alpes, Auvergne, Midi-Pyrénées on the one side, and Spain, Andorra and the Mediterranean sea on the other side.-Geography:The region is...
.
Italy
Known as Ottavianello, there is one tiny DOCDenominazione di Origine Controllata
Denominazione di origine controllata is a quality assurance label for food products, especially wines and various formaggi . It is modelled after the French AOC...
devoted to Cinsaut - Ostuni Ottavianello
Ostuni Ottavianello
Ostuni is an Italian Denominazione di Origine Controllata in the Province of Brindisi of Puglia. The zone of production of the area, elevated to DOC status in 1972, is limited to the communes of Ostuni, Carovigno, San Vito dei Normanni, San Michele Salentino and parts of the communes of Brindisi,...
, with a total production of less than 1000 cases. However, Cinsaut has long been used in Puglian blends, and has begun to attract the attention of winemakers interested in reviving old varieties.
Lebanon
Cinsaut is an important component in the blend of Lebanon's most famous wine, Chateau MusarChateau Musar
Château Musar is the name of a Lebanese winery in Ghazir, Lebanon, 15 miles north of the capital Beirut. Musar grapes grow in the Beqaa Valley, a fertile sunny valley at an altitude of ca. , situated 25 miles east of Beirut.-History:...
.
South Africa
A lot of Cinsaut is grown in South AfricaSouth Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
much of which is blended with Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the world's most widely recognized red wine grape varieties. It is grown in nearly every major wine producing country among a diverse spectrum of climates from Canada's Okanagan Valley to Lebanon's Beqaa Valley...
. It holds a special place in the country's viticulture along side Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir
Pinot noir is a black wine grape variety of the species Vitis vinifera. The name may also refer to wines created predominantly from Pinot noir grapes...
as one of the parents of Pinotage
Pinotage
Pinotage is a red wine grape that is South Africa's signature variety. It was bred there in 1925 as a cross between Pinot noir and Cinsaut...
.
USA
Cinsaut is planted in the Yakima Valley AVAYakima Valley AVA
The Yakima Valley AVA was the first American Viticultural Area established within Washington State, gaining the recognition in 1983. Part of the larger Columbia Valley AVA, Yakima Valley AVA is home to more than of vineyards, giving the area the largest concentration of wineries and vineyards in...
in Washington.
Some Cinsaut is planted in California
California wine
California wine has a long and continuing history, and in the late twentieth century became recognized as producing some of the world's finest wine. While wine is made in all fifty U.S. states, up to 90% of American wine is produced in the state...
as Black Malvoisie.