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Cinsaut

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Cinsaut
Grape(Vitis)
Cinsaut in Viala & Vermorel
Color of berry skinNoir
SpeciesVitis vinifera
Also calledCinsault, Cinq Sao, Ottavianello
OriginFrance
Notable regionsSouthern France, Morocco, Algeria, Lebanon
Notable winesChateau Musar,Ostuni Ottavianello
VIVCnumber2672
Cinsaut growing in the Côtes du Luberon

CinsautorCinsault(/ˈsæns/SAN-soh,French:[sɛ̃so]) is a redwinegrapewhose heat tolerance and productivity make it important inLanguedoc-Roussillonand the formerFrench coloniesofAlgeria,Lebanon,andMorocco.It is often blended with grapes such asGrenacheandCarignanto add softness and bouquet.[1]

It has many synonyms, of which perhaps the most confusing is its sale as atable grapecalled 'Oeillade', although it is different from the "true" Oeillade which is no longer cultivated. InSouth Africa,it was known as "Hermitage", hence the name of its most famous crossPinotage.

History

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Cinsaut appears to be an ancient variety that may have originated in theHérault,but could equally have been brought by traders from the easternMediterranean.

Distribution and wines

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Algeria

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Cinsaut is popular inAlgeriafor itsdrought resistance,and is used to make large volumes of wine.

Australia

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Cinsaut is grown under a variety of names such as Black Prince, Blue Imperial, Oeillade and Ulliade.

Chile

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Old Cinsault vines in the Itata Valley have recently been rediscovered by quality wine producers in Chile, such as Miguel Torres, Clos de Fous, Ventisquero and Undurraga. In one of the southernmost wine-producing areas of the country, the grape yields light-bodied, fruit-driven wines, most often varietal, but sometimes blended withPaisorCarignan.

France

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Cinsaut is the fourth[citation needed]most widely planted grape variety in France, and is especially important inLanguedoc-Roussillon.It is also widely used for rosé wines in Provence.

Italy

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Cinsaut vines.

Known asOttavianello,there is one tinyDOCdevoted to Cinsaut -Ostuni Ottavianello,with a total production of less than 1000 cases a year.[2]However, Cinsaut has long been used inApulianblends and has also begun to attract the attention of winemakers interested in reviving old varieties.[3]

Lebanon

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Cinsaut is an important component in the blend of Lebanon'sChateau Musar.

Morocco and Tunisia

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As in Algeria, Cinsaut is popular in Morocco and Tunisia for its drought resistance.

South Africa

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A lot of Cinsaut is grown in South Africa, much of which is blended withCabernet Sauvignon.It holds a special place in the country's viticulture alongsidePinot noiras one of the parents ofPinotage.Of all the grape varieties planted in the Cape, Cinsault has claimed a significant "Cinderella" turnaround in recent history. Historically, it was favored for its heat tolerance and productivity to be used in bulk blends but winemakers of late have been experimenting with the grape. Many new labels can be found on the market offering crunchy red berry flavors at low alcohols, it is still a very useful blending component with other Rhone varietals, while also adding some fruity brightness to Cabernet Sauvignon.[4]

United States

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The oldest continuous Cinsaut vineyard is said to be the Bechtold vineyard in Lodi, California, which was planted in 1886 by Joseph Spenker.[5]

Some Cinsaut is planted inCaliforniaas Black Malvoisie.

Cinsaut is planted in theNorth Coast AVAandSierra Foothills AVAin California, most specifically in theRed Hills Lake County AVAand theEl Dorado AVArespectively.

Cinsaut is planted in theYakima Valley AVAin Washington.

Cinsaut is planted in Texas, specifically in the Texas High Plains A.V.A.

Vine and Viticulture

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The vine can produce heavy crops, but wines are much better if yields are controlled. Cinsaut is very drought resistant but can be susceptible to disease, so appreciates a dry climate. It produces large cylindrical bunches of black grapes with fairly thick skins.

Synonyms and confusion with other grapes

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Black Malvoisie, Blue Imperial, Bourdales Kek, Budales, Calibre, Chainette, Cincout, Cinq-sao, Cinquien, Cinsanet, Cinsault, Cubilier, Cubillier, Cuviller, Espagne, Espagnol, Froutignan, Grappu De La Dordogne, Hermitage, Malaga Kek, Marocain, Maurange, Mavro Kara Melkii, Milhau, Morterille noire, Moustardier Noir, Navarro, Negru De Sarichioi, Oeillade noire, Ottavianello, Ottaviano, Ottavianello, Pampous, Papadou, Passerille, Pedaire, Picardan noir, Piquepoul D'Uzes, Pis De Chevre, Plant D Arles Boudales, Plant D'Arles, Plant De Broqui, Plant De Broquies, Poupe De Crabe, Pousse De Chevre Rouge, Prunaley, Prunelas, Prunella, Prunellas noir, Salerne, Samsó, Samson, Senso, Sensu, Sinsó, Strum, Takopulo Kara, Ulliaou, West's White Prolific,[6]Black Prince, Boudales, Oeillade, Picardin noir and Ulliade.

While Cinsault is known under the synonymOeillade noire,especially when it is sold as atable grape,it is not related to theLanguedocandProvence winegrapeOeillade noire.[7]

References

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  1. ^Jancis Robinson,Vines, Grapes & WinesMitchell Beazley 1986ISBN1-85732-999-6
  2. ^Ministero delle Politiche Agricole Alimentari e Forestale,Banca Dati Vini DOC, DOCG:: Ostuni Ottavianello[permanent dead link](in Italian))
  3. ^Accademia dei Racemiat diwinetaste
  4. ^"Cinsault Higgo Jacobs' Top 10 South African Cinsaults".Explore Sideways.2016-09-30.Retrieved2017-07-19.
  5. ^Caparoso, Randy."Lodi's oldest existing vines: the magical Bechthold Vineyard".LoCa: The Wines of Lodi, CA.Archived fromthe originalon 2014-03-07.
  6. ^Maul, E.; Eibach, R. (June 1999)."Vitis International Variety Catalogue".Information and Coordination Centre for Biological Diversity (IBV) of the Federal Agency for Agriculture and Food (BLE), Deichmanns Aue 29, 53179 Bonn, Germany. Archived fromthe originalon 2007-04-11.Retrieved2007-04-22.
  7. ^J. Robinson, J. Harding and J. VouillamozWine Grapes - A complete guide to 1,368 vine varieties, including their origins and flavourspg 743, Allen Lane 2012ISBN978-1-846-14446-2