Cinsault — light, fresh and underrated

Cinsault long lived in the shadow of the heavier Languedoc grapes, often used as an anonymous blending component. But the natural wine generation has brought it forward as a solo act — and discovered a grape perfectly suited to the modern taste for light, fresh red wines.

The grape gives pale colour, low tannin and high freshness. Vinified with short skin contact it becomes almost like a dark rosé — juicy, floral and immediately drinkable. La Lanterne Rouge, pure Cinsault, and blends like A Love Supreme from David Behar in Saint-Chinian show the grape's light, direct side. Miss Piggy Blues combines Cinsault with Muscat for an aromatic twist.

Cinsault thrives in Languedoc's heat but keeps its freshness thanks to early harvest and gentle vinification. All Cinsault wines at PACT come from producers working organically or biodynamically, with few or no additives.