The Wine Reference🍷 SupportCarménère grape
Carménère is a red grape known for black cherry, pepper, herbs. Its best-known homes are Chile.
Origin and history
An old Bordeaux variety, DNA-shown to be a child of Cabernet Franc and Gros Cabernet; it nearly vanished from Bordeaux after phylloxera.
Where it grows
Chile (Colchagua, Cachapoal and its Peumo area, Maipo), plus north-east Italy and China, where vines called 'Cabernet Gernischt' proved to be Carménère.
Structure
Medium to full body, deep colour, moderate acidity and soft, round tannins.
Aromas, young and aged
Young: black cherry, plum, red pepper, green peppercorn, paprika and herbs. With age: tobacco, leather, cocoa and spice.
Ageing
Most best within 2–6 years; top Chilean examples age 10–15.
Also known as
Grande Vidure (historic Bordeaux), Cabernet Gernischt (China).
Good to know
In Chile it was mistaken for Merlot until 1994, when French ampelographer Jean-Michel Boursiquot identified it.
Wine regions for Carménère
Carménère wines to try
Real bottles from The Wine Library.
Montes Purple Angel
Colchagua Valley · Colchagua · Carménère
Rich Carménère: dark fruit, chocolate, paprika and herbs.
Food: Spiced meats, empanadas
Errázuriz Don Maximiano Founder's Reserve
Aconcagua Valley · Aconcagua · Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère, Petit Verdot
Chile's classic icon: cassis, black cherry, graphite and polished tannins.
Food: Roast beef, lamb, aged cheese
Viña Altaïr Altaïr
Cachapoal Valley · Alto Cachapoal · Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère, Syrah / Shiraz
Andean-foothill flagship, cassis, graphite and fresh herbs with fine, structured tannins.
Food: Rib-eye steak, lamb rack, aged cheese
Similar red grapes
Explore all grapes in the interactive guide
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