Old Vine Carignan, Tutored Tasting, Monday 3rd June

Old-vine Carignan is showing signs of coming into vogue: cue a Berrys’ tasting before it gets too popular! In the past it was frequently viewed as a grape variety to grow at high yields in hot regions; then came a movement to grub up these vines and put an end to them. However one or two savvy grapegrowers have noticed that this wine can give superb complexity from old vines with low yields, producing wines with red berry and liquorice notes, a superbly silky texture and much more. Hence the beginning of a small trend: to hunt down remaining Old Vine Carignan. We thought it was high time that we illustrated how many gorgeous wines are made using this grape variety. Please come along and carry on with Old Vine Carignan!

Wines to be tasted:

Berrys' Crémant de Limoux, Antech-Limoux, Languedoc, France
2009 Domaine des Terres Falmet, Carignan, Languedoc, France
2008 Mas Conscience, Le Cas, Vin de Pays de l'Hérault, Languedoc, France
2005 2/3 Trio Infernal Combier-Fischer-Gerin, Priorat, Spain
2006 2/3 Trio Infernal Combier-Fischer-Gerin, Priorat, Spain
2008 Riu Trio Infernal, Combier-Fischer-Gerin, Priorat, Spain
2009 Riu Trio Infernal, Combier-Fischer-Gerin, Priorat, Spain
2009 Camins del Priorat, Alvaro Palacios, Priorat, Spain
2001 Viña Tondonia Tinto Reserva, Bodegas R. López de Heredia, Rioja, Spain