Sensium

Carignan

Red wine grape variety

Carignan — red wine grape variety with signature aromas of black cherry, dried herbs, licorice. Structural profile: Medium(+) body, High acidity, Medium(+) tannin, High alcohol. Sensium blind-tasting coach reference.

Structural pillars

AcidityHigh
TanninMedium(+)
BodyMedium(+)
AlcoholHigh
Color intensityDeep
Aromatic intensityMedium

Recognition cues

First checks

  • Check for high acidity in a dark-fruited red context.
  • Look for herbal-rustic edge and moderate-plus tannin.

Confidence signals

  • High-acid dark-fruit profile
  • Herbal and smoky rusticity

Aromas

Signature

black cherrydried herbslicorice

Common

cranberrysmokeblack pepper

Occasional

ferrous earth

Commonly confused with

Classic anchors

  • Classic regions: Languedoc · Priorat · Maule · Cariñena
  • Classic styles: Acid-driven Mediterranean red blend grape · Old-vine concentrated southern red
  • Style examples: Languedoc Carignan blend · Old-vine Carignan from Priorat

Common questions

Is Carignan a red or white grape variety?
Carignan is a red wine grape variety. Sensium documents its structure, aromas, and confusion signals for blind tasting.
What does Carignan smell and taste like?
Signature aromas of Carignan include black cherry, dried herbs and licorice. Structural profile: Medium(+) body, High acidity, Medium(+) tannin, High alcohol.
What is Carignan most often confused with in blind tasting?
Carignan is most commonly confused with Grenache, Bobal and Mourvedre. Sensium's Compare view leads with the decisive cues that resolve each call.
Where is Carignan grown?
Classic regions for Carignan include Languedoc, Priorat, Maule and Cariñena.

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