France 🇫🇷

This red grape variety, that originated in Aragon, Spain, was introduced in France in the 12th century. Despite massive pulling out of vines in recent years, over 100,000 hectares of vines continue to be cultivated in France, primarily in three southern regions: Languedoc-Roussillon, Provence and, to a lesser degree, Corsica. Carignan is a grape variety that growers and oenologists alike are passionate about, as its quality can range from mediocre to excellent, depending on yield, age of the vines and vinification. Its reputation has suffered from situations involving high yields that do nothing for expressing the characteristics of the grape. However, if the vines are planted in calcareous clay, granitic sand, or schistous soils on slopes with good exposure, Carignan grapes can yield rich, generous, wines with flavours of black fruit that require a little ageing in order for the tannins to mellow. Rarely vinified on its own, Carignan is often blended with Grenache Noir, Cinsault, Mourvèdre or Syrah, however Les Jamelles offers you a cuvée that is exclusively crafted from this grape variety.