Grape · Red

Carmenère

Warm climate

About

Originally from Bordeaux, now a flagship variety in Chile. Rich and full-bodied with distinctive herbaceous notes that soften with full ripeness.

Typical profile

Body

Full

Tannins

Firm

Acidity

Crisp

Sweetness

Dry

Aromas

What the grape gives up young, and what it grows into with time in bottle.

Young · fresh from the glass

blackberry plum green bell pepper eucalyptus

Aged · develops with bottle time

leather wet earth chocolate

Explore aromas

Oak influence

Common

Growing regions

How the grape expresses across places, grouped by country. Chips call out how a region's style deviates from the grape's default.

Chile

Colchagua Valley

Chile's signature grape. Smoky black cherry, blackberry, and bell pepper over chocolate and herb; Apalta's hillside sites add fine structure and ageing potential.

Maipo Valley

More structured Carmenère than Colchagua. Andean alluvial soils and cool nights give floral red cherry, herbal lift, and bell pepper, with finer minerality from altitude.

Food pairings

Grilled lamb chops with rosemary and garlicBeef empanadas with chimichurri sauceRoasted pork tenderloin with blackberry reductionGrilled portobello mushrooms with herb butterChilean cazuela stew with beef and vegetablesDark chocolate tart with espresso

Similar grapes

Charbono

Sagrantino

Carignan

Nero d'Avola

Mourvèdre

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Carmenère taste like?▼

Carmenère is rich and full-bodied with distinctive blackberry and plum flavors when young, accompanied by characteristic herbaceous notes of green pepper and eucalyptus. When fully ripe, these green notes soften beautifully, creating a more balanced wine.

Where does Carmenère grow best?▼

Carmenère thrives in warm climates and has found its ideal home in Chile, where it's become a flagship variety. Originally from Bordeaux, it needs sufficient heat to fully ripen and avoid excessive herbaceous character.

What food pairs with Carmenère?▼

Carmenère's full body and herbaceous notes make it excellent with grilled red meats, especially lamb and beef with herb crusts. It also pairs beautifully with roasted vegetables and dishes featuring bell peppers or Mediterranean herbs.

How does Carmenère age?▼

With age, Carmenère develops complex tertiary aromas of leather, earth, and chocolate while the herbaceous green pepper notes mellow. The wine maintains its full body but gains additional depth and sophistication over time.

Is Carmenère similar to other similar grapes?▼

Carmenère shares some characteristics with Merlot in terms of body and plum flavors, but its distinctive herbaceous green pepper notes set it apart. It was historically confused with Merlot in Bordeaux before being properly identified as a separate variety.