What to Pair Your Carignan With

3 Recipes for Carignan

Grilled Meats

Grilled Meats

Description :

Chianti’s firm tannins and medium body pair beautifully with grilled meats such as steak, lamb, or pork chops.

Roasted Vegetables and Mushrooms

Roasted Vegetables and Mushrooms

Description :

Barbera pairs well with earthy, herbaceous dishes like roasted eggplant, mushrooms, squash, and sweet potatoes. The wine’s acidity enhances the natural flavors of these vegetables, and its fruitiness adds a pleasant contrast.

Spiced Dishes

Spiced Dishes

Description :

Carignan’s spice notes and robust character make it a good pairing with spiced dishes like Moroccan tagine or Indian curries, where the wine’s acidity and tannins balance the heat and complex flavors of the cuisine.

More on Carignan

Carignan

Carignan is a red wine grape variety known for its bold flavors, robust structure, and versatility. Originally from Spain, where it is called Cariñena or Mazuelo, Carignan is now grown in several wine regions worldwide, including Southern France, California, Chile, and Sardinia in Italy.

Appearance:

  • Color: Carignan wines typically have a deep red to purple hue, indicating their concentration and intensity.
  • Opacity: THigh opacity, reflecting the wine’s depth and richness.

Aroma:

  • Primary Aromas: Red and dark fruits such as cranberry, raspberry, blackberry, and cherry.
  • Secondary Aromas: Floral notes like violet, along with hints of spice such as black pepper, clove, and cinnamon.
  • Tertiary Aromas: With aging, Carignan can develop complex aromas of tobacco, cured meat, and earthy notes.

Flavor Profile:

  • Fruit Flavors: Predominantly red and dark fruit flavors, including cranberry, raspberry, cherry, and blackberry.
  • Other Flavors: Notes of baking spices (cinnamon, clove), licorice, and cured meat; in warmer climates, hints of black pepper and smoky elements may be present.
  • Oak Influence:Oak aging can add flavors of vanilla, spice, and toasty notes, enhancing the wine’s complexity and adding a layer of softness to its robust tannins.

Structure:

  • Body:Medium to full-bodied, providing a substantial mouthfeel.
  • Tannins: Moderate to high tannins, which give the wine a firm structure and good aging potential.
  • Acidity: Medium-high acidity, which provides freshness and balances the wine’s bold flavors.
  • Alcohol: Ranges from 13.5% to 15%.

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