Carménère Wine (98)

The Carmenere Grape Vine

Carmenere vines are very similar to Merlot vines, which is why there is often speculation about their kinship and confusion is not uncommon. Carmenere vines differ from Merlot by the slight red tint of their leaves and a later ripening time (about 3 weeks). Furthermore, Carmenere is more flavorful than Merlot and produces the "heaviest" red wines after Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Flavor of Carmenere Wine

Carmenere wines are generally pleasant and easy-drinking, characterized by a low tannin content, their dark red color, and a variety of aromas from berry fruits, chocolate, leather, and tobacco. Carmenere is predominantly produced as a single variety, and aging in barriques can produce very fine, complex wines.

Carmenere - A Chilean Success Story

A special success story was experienced by the Carmenere grape vine in Chile. It has been cultivated there since the mid-19th century. Due to its similarity to the Merlot vine, Carmenere vines imported from France were mostly planted together with Merlot in mixed stocks. After Carmenere almost completely disappeared in Europe due to the phylloxera plague, its name fell into oblivion in Chile, and its vines were regarded as variants of Merlot. Chile remained spared from the phylloxera plague due to its geographical isolation, and thus the Carmenere vine "survived" undiscovered in Chile. However, the flavor difference of Chilean Merlot wines compared to those from other countries was striking. Clarity came when a French grape expert identified Chilean "Merlot" vines as Carmenere vines through DNA analysis in 1994.

The Chilean winemakers recognized the potential to offer Carmenere wines almost exclusively. They expanded the cultivation areas of the Carmenere vines and in 1996, the first pure Carmenere wines were produced from the Carmen winery. Nowadays, Carmenere is cultivated in Chile on over 7,200 hectares, and nearly 30% of the Carmenere wines from Chile have been classified as high quality. In the lower price ranges, mostly Carmenere blends can be found. Slowly, the Carmenere vine is regaining significance in Europe as well. For example, good pure Carmenere wines are being produced in Northern Italy, and with the Vini del Piave Carménère, the wine region of Veneto in Italy has the first denomination of origin for Carmenere wines with DOC status.