Cinsaut, sometimes written Cinsault is a red grape variety known for centuries in the Languedoc region of southern France that has much in common with grenache. Although it has good drought resistance and its best wines by far come from vines that yield less than 40 hl/ha (2.3 tons/acre), it can all too easily be persuaded to yield generously and unremarkably. The wines it produces tend to be lighter, softer, and, in extreme youth, more aromatic and charmingly cherry-fruited than most of its peers. Although prone to rot, it is particularly well adapted for rosé production and is widely planted throughout southern France, especially in the Hérault and Var départements in Languedoc and Provence respectively. It differs from Grenache by virtue of its long history, its shorter growing season, and its easier adaptation to mechanical harvesting.
