Save the carignane!

Got an e-mail from Three Wine Company today. They're concerned about some upcoming restoration work by the California Dept. of Water Resources that would destroy one of the oldest vineyards in the state. Not sure how many folks really care about California old vine carignane, but Three does make a pretty darn good wine from these grapes. If anyone's interested, there's a website here with a petition asking that they spare the vineyard.

[David M. Bueker]

Not a big fan of 3, but destroying the old vine heritage in California is very sad news regardless of variety.

There is a renaissance of old vine Carignan in Southern France after a period where the vines were grubbed up to make way for higher yielding or (then) more prestigious varieties like Syrah. Nowadays there are some producers in Languedoc and Roussillon who think that Syrah is an interloper in their region and who maintain that a good dose of Carignan is essential for authenticity. It would be a shame if a plot of old vine Carignane in California were destroyed when the grape's reputation is on the rise.

Carignane is a terrible, terrible grape variety that should be grubbed up and DESTROYED wherever possible!

I am devastated to see that even the French have been impacted by trendy American Elitist Anti Flavor Brigade wine snobs trying to save what, like the dodo bird, should be history!

I responded with vituperation to the Three email, I will tell you that!

Sorry...this was in....response...to our host's ... request here: viewtopic.php?f=14&t=50454#p414295

One of my current favourites is a Corbières made predominately from old vine Carignan with some Grenache. Lovely wine.

It would be a real shame to lose that old vineyard - those gnarled old bushvines in the photo's look wonderful.

[Robin Garr]

Sorry...this was in....response...to our host's ... request

Well trolled, O good and faithful servant ...