wine-searcher.com / Cinsaut Wine
Cinsaut (often spelled Cinsault) is a dark-skinned grape variety traditionally used as a blending partner for Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre as part of the classic Southern Rhone blend. It is fairly unusual to see Cinsaut produced as a varietal wine, except as a rosé, in which it expresses itself as a light, aromatic and refreshing wine. Cinsaut vines have been grown for centuries in southern France, where it is one of the permitted minor grape varieties in the Chateauneuf-du-Pape blend.
In Morocco, Cinsaut is the leading grape variety in terms of production levels, and it is also very important in Algeria, Tunisia and Lebanon – the grape is tolerant of extremely hot, dry climates, which explains much of its success in North Africa and the Middle East. It is prone to rot in damp conditions.
In 1925 Cinsaut was crossed with Pinot Noir to create what has become South Africa’s signature grape variety, Pinotage. Pinotage now overshadows Cinsaut in the vineyards of the Western Cape.
Cinsaut brings wines are generally low in tannin and generally used in blends for its perfume. It has much in common with Grenache and at one time was grown for its generous yields. Light red berries are the most commonly associated flavor descriptors.
Synonyms include: Cinsault, Cinqsaut, Cinq-saou, Ottavianello, Oeillade, Black Malvoisie, Blue Imperial, Black Prince, Samso.
Food matches for Cinsaut include:
- Snails (escargot) with garlic butter (rosé)
- Hot smoked salmon fillets (rosé)
- Moroccan lamb with prunes and apricots (red)