Carignan — Languedoc's rebellious grape

Carignan originates from Aragon in northeastern Spain and established itself in Languedoc during Roman times. During the 20th century's great production expansion, it was planted across southern France for a single purpose: volume. The grape is productive, hardy and gives high yields — but the quality of most wines reflected that. In the 1990s, EU subsidies halved the planted area, and the old vines were largely left alone.

It was the natural wine generation's producers who recognised what these abandoned old vines could actually give. A gobelet Carignan of 65, 80 or 100 years produces a fraction of what a young vine gives — but what it produces is concentrated, mineral and complex in a way younger vines never achieve. Alexandre Durand at Pèira Levada in Faugères gives his 80-year-old Carignan 90 days of maceration without a single additive. Thomas Chany in Puisserguier shows how limestone soil gives the grape a chalky, distinctive minerality. Pierre Regnault in Assignan harvests early and macerates whole clusters for maximum freshness.

In terms of flavour profile, Languedoc Carignan differs from the blending version: dark cherries, blackberries and dried herbs from the garrigue — the typical Languedoc scrubland of thyme, rosemary and wild lavender. High fruit acidity that gives freshness and structure that lasts ten years. A mineral core that varies with the terroir: schist in Faugères, limestone in Saint-Chinian, gneiss and granite in Haute Vallée de l'Orb.

All Carignan wines at PACT come from producers working organically or biodynamically, without additives and without filtration. Direct import from Languedoc to your door.