There existed a time when I was daft to the wiles and wonders of the grape, Carignan. Despite pockets of old vines in California it was essentially a lost variety. Little thought and even less desire was given this late-ripening, high-production, tight-clustered, and thus mold-prone grape variety that, given the name, one would assume is French. There are far more easy French grapes to cultivate (and ultimately sell) which is why Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay have run so rampant in the “Golden State”. And yes, the viticultural […]

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