(a.k.a Carinena and Mazuelo in Spain, Gragnano in Italy, Carignane - or occasionally Kerrigan - in California). Normally ripens in late season around the end of September. Semi-classic grape commonly used for making red wines in Southern France and Spain. It is also successfully grown in California 's Central Valley, often ending up in generic blends and "jug" wines, although some old plantings allow small lots of premium extract wine to be made. Blended with other varieties such as Cinsaut, Grenache, Mourv?dre and Syrah, it has been used to create red wines in California similar to the famed Chateauneuf-du-Pape blend of the southern Rhone region of France. In Australia it has the occasional alias name Black Portugal.

a red grape variety. The most common grape variety in France and widely planted in the Midi. Carignan tends to be low in acidity, extract and tannin making it useful for blending. Also planted in Algeria, Spain and California's Central Valley.