When Diesel - the ultra trendy purveyor of $300 (₤160) jeans - decided to get into the wine business this year with equally expensive wines, they got the grape varieties all wrong. Sorry but Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir simply aren’t the vinous equivalent of denim. That honor would go to Carignan, which like denim is often coarse, cheap and casual. They’re also both associated with the Languedoc: denim is named after a type of cloth called Serge de Nîmes from the Languedoc city of Nîmes while Carignan has been grown in huge quantities in the region for over a century.
As a high yielding grape, Carignan was one of the main sources of cheap plonk back in the days when the average French worker packed a bottle of vin rouge for lunch and then had another bottle with dinner. Since this market doesn’t exist anymore*, the EU has spent a great deal of money grubbing up Carignan vines in an attempt to help control the global wine glut. Indeed, from 1990 to 2002, total world acreage of Carignan was reduced 42% from 501,300 acres down to 290,400 acres but is still the 8th most widely planted wine grape variety.
Carignan (known as Carignane in California, Carignano in Italy and Cariñena in Spain) has also been one of the most critically disparaged grapes in the world. 100% Carignan wines aren’t allowed according to AOC laws so it’s usually relegated to a blending partner in Minervois and Corbieres. According to Jancis Robinson in the Oxford Companion to Wine, “Its wine is high in everything – acidity, tannins, colour, bitterness – but finesse and charm.” Ouch. Still, she does concede that it can make exceptional wine in the right hands and cites Domaine d’Aupilhac in Montpeyroux and Chateau de Lastours in Corbieres. 
The tide now seems to be changing for Carignan. On our recent trip to the Languedoc, we found “100% Carignan” signs proudly displayed at several wine shops and asking for Carignan wines on restaurant wine lists would get knowing nods of approval. How could this be? For starters, the French love an underdog. And perhaps the rough image of the grape just naturally goes with the rugged landscape, especially the garrigue, the wild scrub of dwarf oak, thyme, rosemary, lavender, gorse, broom, heather and fennel that is everywhere. Or perhaps it’s part of a larger worldwide movement to embrace indigenous grape varieties (does the world really need more Merlot?). Whatever the reason, more and more talented winemakers are embracing Carignan, particularly in the Languedoc, where it is produced as a Vin de Pays.
One of the more talented (and vocal) producers is the Clos du Gravillas, run by John and Nicole Bojanowski in St. Jean de Minervois. They’ve been leading the Carignanistas in Laguodoc through their events and by producing great Carignan wines. Old vines, low yields and careful élevage shows just what is possible. Their 2003 Rendez-Vous du Soleil 
is an excellent example: refreshing, well balanced and refined but pleasantly casual. Their 2003 Lo Vièlh 
shows just how opulent and elegant Carignan can be. It’s an amazingly refined and concentrated expression that’s drawn critical acclaim and enthusiastic responses even from the haughty Parisians.
In addition to making great wine, John and Nicole head up the Carignan Renaissance, which promotes this disparaged grape throughout the world. In 2004, they organized the 1st Carignan World Tasting and invited an illustrious panel, including Jancis Robinson, to size up the world’s Carignan wines. Some wines, like their Clos du Gravillas’ received high marks but didn’t really sway some critics like Ms. Robinson to substantially change their views. Perhaps if it were a completely blind tasting (also called double-blind where the tasters don’t know anything about the wines) preconceived notions about the grape could be challenged.
OK, all of that sounds great but I’m in the USA. How do I get in on the HIPSTER CARIGNAN ACTION? Perhaps the easiest way is to run – not walk – to your local wine shop and pick up a bottle of Les Hérétiques. Produced by Andre Iché of Chateau d’Oupia, it’s a cuvee of 97% Carignan and 3% Syrah, imported (and developed with) Louis/Dressner . Les Hérétiques refers to the Cathars who were massacred in the 13th Century by the crusaders for their heretical beliefs and also to Carignan which is currently being massacred by the European Union. The wine is earthy, soft, fruity, slightly rustic, and was a staple at Chez De Long when we lived in New York City. It’s widely available and a great introduction to the pleasures of Carignan. And for roughly the price of a bottle of [yellowtail] you can’t go wrong.
Conclusion: Diesel Merlot = uncool; Hipster Carignan = tres cool
*Per capita wine consumption in France declined from 108 liters to 57 liters from 1970 to 2001. French actor and vineyard owner Gerard Depardieu has single handedly attempted to reverse the trend. In his own words (translated): “On a good day, I have four bottles. On a bad day, six.”
Resources: Worldwide Carignan Producer's List
Comments
Thank you, Marjo — Tunisian Carignan, now that sounds exotic (at least to me since I’ve never tried it). The vines are most likely old but I certainly can’t vouch for the winemaker. If you get it, please let me know how it was.
Cheers and greetings to a fellow Wine Centurian,
Steve
Hi Ondrej,
I completely agree about Languedoc Merlot — it just doesn’t really work.
I’ve never tried the Domaine Cros Vielles Vignes but would imagine that it is not a Minervois but a Vin de Pays des Hauts de Badens since AOC Minervois is as you mention 60% max Carignan. The term Vielles Vignes is mostly used for 100% varietal wines as complex blends such as Minervois would usually have several different vine ages. Unfortunately if you don’t have the label in front of you, it’s hard to verify!
Thanks for a great and informative article.
I’m fond of quality Carignan wines as they tend to have much more character than the fashionable Bordelais varieties planted everywhere in the New World and Midi these days (yes, I mean Merlot). Carignan wines usually stop a tiny step short of true greatness and their aging potential is limited to about five years, yet in hands of gifted winemakers they can become a treat even to the most demanding connaisseur. What I especially like about them is the wild, rustic, leatherly flavor, difficult to find in any other variety, especially in a relatively young wine.
My great pick is Domaine Cros Vieilles Vignes (Minervois), which has provided stunning character and complexity in any vintage I came across over the past few years. However, here’s a question: the tasting notes for this wine usually state that this is 100% carignan, yet it’s classified as AOC Minervois. My impression was that one could not have more than 60% of Carignan in that appelation… am I missing something?
Quick question
with all of the new implementation to cut back, there has to be a substantial amount of surplus vines that would grow well in the UK. How can we get the process of buying redundant aged vines ready for planting, who to speak with how to collect etc
(44) 1525 288555 if any suggestions
For lovers of california carignanes, after a very disappointing showing from the usa during our 2004 world carignan tasting, i’ve finally found some delicious ones. In May I went to California personally to hunt them down and found 4 which were good, 3 from Sonoma. My personal favorite was Porter Creek in Healdsburg where we had a long visit with Alex Davis. At lunch, Randall Graham from Bonny Doon stunned us with his new UK-only carignane (morris-verdin imports) as well as other wines. We were wonderfully received by Dave Caffaro (vineyard of same name) though there was a bit more wood than I like in the carignane and Trentadue’s carignane was good too (though the owner wasn’t there for the appointment…). I’ve also heard good about Meeker and Ridge (and visited Preston years ago) but didn’t get to try on this trip. A good start though. All that info, plus more will eventually get up onto our www.carignans.com carignan website.
[…] Carignan – Is it Hipster wine? […]
Well, I realize this post is from 3 years ago, but I’ve just reread it for a post of my own on carignane, and I still think it’s brilliant! Great work … I’ve just added you to our new blogroll as well, keep up the good work!
Regards,
Christopher Watkins
Tasting Room Manager
RIDGE Vineyards/Monte Bello
Hi Steve,
After more than a year, I think I can explain the Domaine Cros Vieilles Vignes mystery mentioned above:
The AOC regulations regarding the allowed percentages of varieties apply to the vine plantations, not to the composition of the blend. The 60% carignan limit means that a winemaker cannot have more than 60% of the vineyard area planted with carignan to obtain the AOC classification, however it is perfectly possible to make a varietal carignan with AOC Minervois status.
Regardless of the technicialities of French regulatory laws, it’s simply a great wine, and a testimony to how good a varietal carignan can be.
Hi Steve,
Interestingly enough, the label does say Appellation Minervois Contrôlée. An image is available over here:
http://www.maisondesvins.be/images/domaine/Pierre-Cros/minervois-vieilles-vignes.jpg
It’s a bit of mystery. I’ll try to ask Pierre Cros the next time I talk to him and let you know.
Thanks again, and keep up the good work.