Cinsault (or Cinsaut) is one of the oldest French grape varieties and is planted across the south of the country (mostly Languedoc, Rhone and Provence) where it's allowed as a minor component of Chateauneuf-du-Pape wines and is often used with other Rhone grapes for making lighter, fruit-driven reds and rosé wines. Also found on the island of Corsica and throughout northern Africa (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia & Lebanon) Cinsault has spread to the "New World", where it has found a home in the southern Itata region of Chile and is often found growing alongside old-vine Carignan. South Africa is another region of importance where, as a crossing with Pinot Noir, it became the Cape's Pinotage variety. The variety exhibits aromas of flowers and red fruits (cherry & strawberry) with old vine fruit adding blueberry and some sweet spice notes. As a rosé style, Cinsault often has a raspberry perfume with touches of white peach, tea leaf and rose petals with tropical fruits flavours such as lychee, guava and papaya.
