How do you tell Carignan and Cinsault apart in a blind tasting?

The clearest separator between Carignan and Cinsault is tannin: Carignan is Medium(+) while Cinsault is Low. Lead with that to resolve the blind call.

Is Carignan or Cinsault higher in tannin?

On the WSET ladder, Carignan is Medium(+) and Cinsault is Low for tannin.

Are Carignan and Cinsault red or white?

Carignan and Cinsault are both red grape varieties.

Carignan vs Cinsault — how to tell them apart

Structure compared

Structure compared	Carignan	Cinsault
Acidity	High	Medium
Tannin	Medium(+)	Low
Body	Medium(+)	Medium(−)
Alcohol	High	Medium
Color intensity	Deep	Medium
Aromatic intensity	Medium	Medium(+)

Signature aromas

Carignan

black cherrydried herbslicorice

Cinsault

strawberryred cherryrose

Common questions

How do you tell Carignan and Cinsault apart in a blind tasting?: The clearest separator between Carignan and Cinsault is tannin: Carignan is Medium(+) while Cinsault is Low. Lead with that to resolve the blind call.
Is Carignan or Cinsault higher in tannin?: On the WSET ladder, Carignan is Medium(+) and Cinsault is Low for tannin.
Are Carignan and Cinsault red or white?: Carignan and Cinsault are both red grape varieties.