Carménère at a Glance
Common Flavors
- Fruit
- Earth & Mineral Notes
- Additional Complexities
Structure
- Body Medium - Full
- Sugar Dry
- Tannins Medium - Medium Minus
- Acid Medium Plus, High
- Alcohol Medium (12.0 - 13.5% ABV)
- Finish Medium - Long, Structured
Food Pairings
- Lean Meats
- Tomato Based Pasta
Taste Carménère at the Source
Carménère is tied to a handful of regions. Explore each as a travel destination — with wineries, tours and guides.
Yorkville Cellars
Last Updated on December 13, 2019. We invite you to visit our tasting room set among the vineyards and to enjoy a picnic under the shady big oaks. Remember — we have a complimentary tasting ...
Explore Yorkville Cellars →Wineries Known for Carménère
Estates specializing in Carménère, open for tastings.
More About Carménère
Learn About Carmenere Wine and Where This Unique Grape Originated From
Carménère is a medium bodied savory red wine originating from France, but now predominantly produced in Chile. The name for the grape was derived from the French word for crimson “carmin” referring to the bright crimson autumn leaves of the vines prior to leaf fall.
It was originally planted in the Medoc region in France and occasionally used in small percentages in Bordeaux blends. Carménère was largely abandoned in France due to its poor fruit set and unreliable yields after the threat of phylloxera in the 19th century. Around this time, Carménère was brought to Chile and originally planted amongst other varietals, including Merlot. It was later identified and now flourishes in Chile’s optimal warm and dry growing environment.
Carménère is Chile’s quintessential grape varietal. In 1998 it was declared the official variety for the country. It is found principally in the Colchagua, Rapel, and Maipo valleys. Outside of Chile, Carmenere is found in small quantities -- North Eastern Italy in the Veneto is of particular note. Carménère is produced as a mono varietal but often is accompanied with Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon.
What Does Carménère Wine Taste Like? What Foods Pair Well with Carménère?
Carménère is deep and bright ruby red in color. When harvested early, Carménère can lend toward the herbaceous side of the flavor spectrum. When optimally ripe, these wines exhibit pronounced notes of red raspberry and savory sour cherry fruit. Spicy earth notes are present along with dark chocolate, tobacco and leather.
The high acid and soft tannin profile makes Carménère an ideal food pair with a variety of cuisine from cheeses to meats with lower fat content.
Many fine examples are found in Chile such as Montes Alpha Carménère from Colchagua Valley, Chile. The wine demonstrates the elegant quality that can be enjoyed upon release or will age gracefully for 10 years. From the Veneto in Italy, Inama Carménère Piu is another example of a premium fine wine made primarily from Carménère.