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Cinsault or Cinsaut is a grape you\u2019ve probably rarely heard of, but if you drink Provence or southern French ros\xe9 you have it all the time! The grape is planted widely in the south of France, but the grape\u2019s biggest champions are in the New World, where Cinsault is getting new attention for making light, acidic, refreshing reds.

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This is a warm-climate grape, that actually thrives\xa0in dry and hot places. This grape is essential to our changing climate -- it retains acidity with low sugars even in the hottest conditions, providing a lifted, bright note to reds and ros\xe9s.

Photo: Carignan. Source: Vins-Rhone

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With typical aromas of ripe red berry fruit, like raspberry, strawberry and cherry, warm spice, and violet or dark flower notes and floral, strawberry, peach, and tea leaf notes in ros\xe9, this is a lovely grape if made well.\xa0

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Where can you find Cinsault as a varietal wine or a big player in a blend?\xa0

• France: Southern Rh\xf4ne,\xa0Provence and the Languedoc have big plantings of Cinsault

• \xa0Other Countries: Italy, Spain, North Africa, Chile, Australia

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Then we get to the most impassioned fans of Cinsault\u2026

Lebanon: In the mountainous region of the Bekaa Valley, Cinsault has thrived for decades. The famed Chateau Musar red relies on Cinsault in its most prestigious blend

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California, USA: California has the oldest Cinsault vines in the world in Lodi, California at the Bechthold Vineyard which was planted in 1886.\xa0

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South Africa saw growth in Cinsault in the mid 1800s because growers knew it could handle the hot, arid climate around Cape Town. It is a parent of Pilotage. I mention is Natte Valleij\xa0as a great Cinsault producer. Other producers from many regions in South Africa are also doing great things with Cinsault.

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