Carignan is a grape of contradiction—once derided as a workhorse of mass production, now reclaimed by growers seeking intensity, freshness, and depth. Native to Spain (where it’s known as Cariñena or Samsó) but long associated with southern France, Carignan thrives in poor soils and old bush vines, producing wines with vivid acidity, dark fruit, and a touch of rustic charm. In the hands of thoughtful producers—from the schist slopes of the Roussillon to the sunbaked vineyards of Maule, Baja California, or McLaren Vale—it shows unexpected elegance and grip.
