Although this red grape (also called Carignano, Cariñena, Mazuelo, Monestel, Roussillonen, and Samsó) originated in northern SPAIN’S CARIÑENA district, it’s become the most widely grown red grape in FRANCE, especially throughout the LANGUEDOC-ROUSSILLON region. It’s also extensively grown in other countries ringing the Mediterranean including Italy, Spain, Algeria, and Israel. It was also once the most widely planted red grape in California (where it’s spelled Carignane), mostly in the San Joaquin Valley. With its high yields, Carignan produces more red wine than any other grape variety—most of it very ordinary. This grape is noted for its deep purple color, high TANNINS, and high ALCOHOL. At its best, it produces wines that are FRUITY and SPICY. Carignan is most often blended with wines from softer grapes, primarily GRENACHE and CINSAUT. In France most of these wines end up as VIN DE TABLE or VIN ORDINAIRE—“ordinary TABLE WINES.” In many areas, Carignan vineyards are being torn out and replanted with higher-quality vines, but it’s still extensively grown in a number of regions.