Cinsault

I recently had a wonderful opportunity to taste old vine Cinsault produced on three different continents. Cinsault  yields prolific grapes that can produce light wines of little distinction and, for this reason, often doesn’t get a lot of respect. But old vine Cinsault put in the hands of outstanding winemakers is another thing altogether. Some compare it to Burgundy, others say it’s Beaujolais-like, but it’s undoubtedly delicious! And, it’s a perfect accompaniment to assertive, exuberant, full-bodied harpsichord works -- Padre Antonio Soler’s Sonatas or Francois Couperin’s Huitiéme Ordre perhaps? Or, maybe something more contemporary  like Janine Johnson’s lovely harpsichord Suite in f-sharp minor, Opus 24 might work very well.