Cinsault/Cinsaut (France)

Cinsault is a red wine grape from Languedoc-Roussillon in Southern France.

Cinsault is primarly used to blend with grapes such Grenache and Carignan.

Typical Flavors


Raspberry
Raspberry
Redcurrant
Red
Currant
Cherry
Red
Cherry
Cranberry
Cranberry

Violets
Violets
Herbs
Herbs
Tea
Black Tea
Pepper
Pepper

Red berry flavors are typical for Cinsault, with hints of Flowers and Pepper.

Profile

BODYMedium - Light
TANNINSLow
FRUITHigh
ACIDITYLow
Serving temperature:
14-15°C (57-59°F)

Food Pairing


Olive Oil
Olive Oil
Antipasti
Antipasti
Pasta
Pasta
Sandwitch
Sandwitch

Salami
Salami
Ham
Ham
Hamburger
Hamburger
Duck
Duck

Chicken
Chicken
Lamb
Lamb
Pork
Pork
Veal
Veal

Cinsault pairs well with French and Mediterranean Cuisine.

Pairing Suggestions

Excellent Pairing:
Moroccan Lamb. Thai Curry.
Roasted Meat. Lamb. Goat. Duck. Chicken. Pork.

Cheese:
Gruyere.

French Specialities:
Escargot (Snails in Garlic).

About

Cinsault is known to produce large crops and to have a smooth taste, perfect as a filler.

Widely used for Rosé wines in Provence and mixed with Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre in Southern Rhone to make Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

In 1925 viticulture professor Abraham Izak Perold created a new grape variety called Pinotage, a cross of Pinot Noir and Cinsault aka Hermitage in South Africa (Not to be confused with the French Hermitage made by Syrah.)