Mainly cultivated in Languedoc, Carignan is native to Spain. A grape variety that thrives in hot, dry soils, Carignan produces a wine of beautiful colour, structure and tannin. Carignan is a late-budding grape variety. It is productive and its bunches are large, compact, spherical, with medium to large grapes. Its skin is bluish-black and thick. Carignan is not afraid of drought, which is why it has been successfully planted in warm regions. It is an accessory grape variety that shouldn’t exceed 10% of the grape variety.
Mourvèdre
Of Spanish, and more precisely Catalan, origin, Mourvèdre has been cultivated in France since the end of the middle ages on the Mediterranean coast, especially in Provence. A vigorous and warm late-budding grape variety, Mourvèdre produces a powerful, colourful and tannic wine. It provides wines with beautiful aromas with notes of stewed fruit, leather or animals. The intensity and quality of its aromas increase with ageing. It adds complexity and good ageing potential to wines dominated by the Syrah-Grenache blend. It is one of the so-called “complementary” grape varieties of the appellation, together with Syrah. Together they should represent at least 20% of the grape variety.