red grape · regional staple
Cinsault
Hérault, Languedoc, France
Say it
san·soh
Terminal 'lt' is silent in French; the VIVC prime name is 'Cinsaut' — the written 'l' does not affect pronunciation
On the palate
Body
light medium
Acidity
medium
Tannin
low
Aromatics
medium
strawberryraspberryred cherrypomegranatevioletblack pepper
How you spot it blind: characteristically low tannins with silky texture, fresh red berry, and violet lift
The story
First written down · 1600, Languedoc, France
In 1924 Professor Abraham Perold crossed Cinsault (known in South Africa as 'Hermitage') with Pinot Noir at Stellenbosch University, producing Pinotage.
Where it lives
Languedoc-Roussillon, France · Provence, France · Southern Rhône, France · Swartland, South Africa · Bekaa Valley, Lebanon
Shows up as
still redroséChâteauneuf-du-Pape
If you like this, try
Also answers to Cinsaut.
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