Cinsault

Also known as: Œillade noire (France), Hermitage (South Africa), Ottavianello (Italy)

Cinsault is the variety that rounds out the rosés in southern France. Where Grenache brings fullness and Mourvèdre structure, Cinsault delivers the juiciness, the bright fruit, the uncomplicated character. For a long time it was undervalued for this – dismissed as merely a blending partner. Yet single-varietal Cinsault from old vines shows what is possible: silky wines with cherry fruit and herbal spice that can recall good Pinot.

In Provence, where Cinsault is at home, Château de Pibarnon and Alône work with the variety. In the southern Rhône, d'Ouréa relies on old Cinsault plantings, whilst Matassa in Roussillon demonstrates how distinctive this grape can be.