WINE CLUB | CHEESE CLUB

This month's lineup is all about the enigmatic Cinsault grape — it’s a sleeper hit with loads of character and a long-standing spot in some of your favorite blends.

Cinsault hails from southern France and has been used in winemaking for hundreds (and hundreds) of years. At one point, it was one of the most widely-planted grapes in the region, loved for its feisty juiciness and delicate little tannins.

But in more recent times, Cinsault has fallen somewhat out of favor (boooo!) for a couple reasons. One, winemakers have opted for the more red-carpet-proven stars in grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. And two, turns out Cinsault is a bit of a diva and can be tricky to grow and harvest successfully. But fear not, because a new batch of winemakers is giving this grape the love and attention it deserves, and you get to taste some of those wonders this month.

Enjoy!

The Halfseas Team

ALL CLUB MEMBERS GET TO ENJOY THESE 3 BOTTLES:

2022 Fabre en Provence Rosé

Grape: Cinsault
Region: Provence, France
Retail: $24

The Fabre family has been making wine in this region for over 300 years, and this rosé is a total knockout. Henri Fabre now runs the show as the eighth generation of winemakers in his family. The Fabres takes pride in their deep connection to the land and their commitment to sustainable viticulture, and they have a reputation for producing some of the finest rosés in Provence. Their estate is also home to an olive grove, which makes some of the most delicious olive oil around.

Drinking & pairing ideas: Grilled shrimp and vegetable skewers with garlicky roasted potatoes.

2022 Sonder Cinsault Rosé

Grape: Cinsault
Region: Yakima Valley, Washington, USA
Retail: $22

The story of this wine begins with the passionate winemaker, who was struck by the beauty of the Cinsault grape during a trip to Provence. She knew she wanted to bring Cinsault’s unique qualities back home to Washington State, and started experimenting with it in the vineyard. After years of trial and error, she finally produced a stunning rosé that perfectly captures the essence of the Yakima Valley. Yakima Valley has pretty unique terroir — high elevation, hot summers, and cool nights — that brings out the very part of Cinsault’s personality.

Drinking & pairing ideas: Seared scallops with a citrus and herb salad.

2020 Special Sauce (Bois d'Arlene) Vin de France

Grape: Cinsault
Region: Vacqueyras, France
Retail: $22
Pronunciation: “vock-err-rahss”

The winery behind Special Sauce is as mysterious as the wine itself. The winemaker (who, we’d be remiss to not mention, goes by the name “Funky Fred”) is a reclusive artist who only produces small batches of wine only when the inspiration strikes, and he’s known for his unorthodox winemaking techniques. The name "Bois d'Arlene" is homage to a grove of trees near the vineyard. These vineyards have been in the family for generations, but it wasn't until recently that they decided to bottle and sell their wines. This is a seriously fun, unique wine that we’re delighted to share with you.

Drinking & pairing ideas: Grilled portobello mushroom sandwich with roasted red peppers and a spread of creamy cheese.

6-BOTTLE MEMBERS ALSO GET TO ENJOY THESE 3 BOTTLES:

2021 Triennes Rosé

Grapes: Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah, Merlot
Region: Provence, France
Retail: $18

The Triennes winery is a joint venture between two legendary winemakers (and BFFs), Jacques Seysses of Domaine Dujac and Aubert de Villaine of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. After searching for years, they finally found the perfect plot of land, surrounded by ancient olive groves and sun-drenched fields of lavender. Sooo idyllic, right? The vineyard was named Triennes after the triennial games held in Roman times in honor of Bacchus, the god of wine. Today, Triennes is still owned by Seysses and de Villaine's families, who continue to produce kickass wines.

Drinking & pairing ideas: Very chilled with a super French picnic — think strawberry and goat cheese salad, quiche, and a fresh baguette.

2022 Storm Point Red Blend

Grapes: Cinsault, Syrah, Carignan
Region: Swartland, South Africa
Retail: $16

The Swartland region is known for its rugged terrain, extreme climate, and old bush vines that produce some of the world's most exceptional wines. The winemaker behind this blend is a fourth-generation farmer who, after working with his father for many years, decided to strike out on his own and create his own brand. He named the winery after a famous storm that swept through the region, which he believes gives the wine a certain tenacity that makes it all the more loveable.

Drinking & pairing ideas: Grilled ribeye steak with roasted potatoes and asparagus.

2020 Faillenc Corbieres Rouge

Grape: Cinsault
Region: Corbieres, Languedoc-Roussillon, France
Retail: $24

Faillenc is a small winery located in the rugged hills of the Corbieres region of southern France. The vineyards are planted on steep terraces, so the grapes have to be picked by hand, after they’ve ripened under the hot Mediterranean sun. The winery has been family-owned for over 200 years and is currently run by the eighth(!) generation of winemakers. So much love and history bottled up.

Drinking & pairing ideas: Lamb tagine with couscous and harissa.

Looking for past lineups? We got you.

REMINDERS

• As always, our food suggestions are just starting points. Wine is nostalgic and we’re big fans of making what you like, drinking what you like, and not giving a damn if they “go” together.

• Email us at info@halfseaswine.com to buy more single bottles or a 12-bottle case with special pricing.

• Come see us at Halfseas, your charming little neighborhood wine shop tucked inside Brimmer & Heeltap. Open Wednesday through Sunday 12 - 9pm.

• Wine pairs best with friends. Tell your friends.