An old strain, less known than others, but now easy to find on the market. Fresh, fruity and versatile, its pale color contrasts with its intense aromas. Here is a selection of good specimens.
Known in Chile for many years under the name of “cargadora grape variety”, because it was used to give color and strength to many wines of the peasant grape variety, the cinsault grape variety is native to the south of France; in fact, it is the fourth most planted in this country.
In our country today more than 700 hectares cultivated with this variety are maintained, the vast majority in the Itata Valley, and in recent years it has experienced a kind of the comebackby the hand of a few worried oenologists who decided to vinify it alone in order to show it in all its splendor to consumers.
In general, Cinsault wines are fresh, full of fruit and therefore very easy to drink. In other words, it is a convivial wine, which goes very well with a large part of our Creole recipe book. Here are seven great options for exploring it.
Cinsault by Martino Gallardia
One of the best examples of those cinsaults that helped bring this variety back to fame is this Gallardía from Viña De Martino. Hand in hand with the work of his winemaker, Marcelo Retamal, he practically introduced Cinsault to a whole new generation of consumers. Faithful to the most classic version of this variety, in Gallardía we find a fresh and juicy wine, full of fruit, ideal for one of those paellas that are prepared on the ribs of Penquista, full of seafood but also with sausages and what falls in the fire
Cinsault Pays Morandé Terroir Wines
In Viña Morandé, they know these wines so far from the south of Chile; evil, its founder, Pablo Morandé, is from Cauquenes. For this reason, he is very familiar with strains such as Cinsault and País, and this is precisely what he offers in this range, which mixes the two grape varieties, always from Maule.
With a spectacular price-quality ratio, this wine presents aromas full of fruit, which translate into a very soft and almost honeyed mouthfeel. Enjoy with something as simple as prietas with baked potatoes. Perfect for those winter days.
Cinsault Rosé Manoirs Alma Noble
Something different here, but still one hundred percent cinsault from the Itata Valley. This is this rosé wine, quite pale, but not dull in flavor and aroma. Indeed, its fruit is felt on the nose but also floral notes, and in the mouth it is very light, obviously fruity and with a certain minerality.
For steamed mussels with nothing more than lemon, or also for cold crab with homemade mayonnaise, it’s very good.
Cinsault Rock Low Wines 100%
Produced by Rock Wines, it is a wine made exclusively from cinsault grapes from Guarilihue, in the Itata Valley. Its 2022 vintage was qualified as a Wine Revelation with a score of 94 (out of a maximum of 100) by the Guide Descorchados 2023.
The truth is that it is a soft but complex red on the palate, obviously with a powerful aroma of red fruits. A tasty wine that will go even better with grilled sea bass.
CinsaultMiguel Torres Tenaz
Another hundred percent cinsault from Guarilihue. In this case it is Tenaz, a wine produced in partnership with small winemakers in the town of Huaro in the Itata Valley, just over twenty kilometers from the coast, in collaboration with Viña Miguel Torres.
It is a wine with a marked aroma of wild fruits and slightly floral, very fresh and juicy on the palate, but with a structure that makes it persistent. A great wine, to be enjoyed in a long toast loaded with sausages and spare ribs.
Cinsault Bisquertt Crazy Rows
Relatively recently, Viña Bisquertt launched its collection of Crazy Rows wines, made from under-traded vines. A strong point of this line is its cinsault, which, in addition to having a very good price, is one of the easiest to drink of its kind.
Immediately this cinsault impresses with its deep red, an aroma of red fruits and a certain acidity in the mouth, well balanced with this real fruit juice that it actually is. A wine to drink the whole bottle. With a drizzle of avocado mayonnaise, why not?
Cinsault Longavi Glup
Another excellent cinsault to recommend. With aromas of fruit and herbs, the same fruit is felt in the mouth but also a certain acidity that makes it more persistent. A very good specimen that is easily caught. Slightly cold, with a chorizo steak accompanied by salads, it will surely be a great experience.
*Prices for products in this item are updated as of July 18, 2023. Values and availability may change.
Source: Latercera
I’m Scott Moore, a professional writer and journalist based in the US. I’ve been writing for various publications for over 8 years now, and have been working as an author at athletistic for the past five years. My work has been featured by some of the leading sports websites and magazines across Europe.
