CARMÉNÈRE

The emblematic grape variety of Chilean wines

Carménère

Also called Grande Vidure (Bordeaux).
A very old grape variety grown in the Bordeaux region (Médoc) where it originated, this black grape variety is a cross between Gros Cabernet and Cabernet Franc. This variety was thought to have almost disappeared following the phylloxera crisis, but recent studies have revealed that some of the Chilean vines identified as Merlot turned out to be Carménère. It is therefore in Chile that this grape variety, vinified on its own or used in Bordeaux-style blends, is coming back to life. There are only about twenty hectares left in the Gironde. It produces powerful and richly aromatic high-quality red wines.
A Chilean grape variety that is moving up the ranks!

WHERE IS IT FOUND?
All over the world

WORLDWIDE

- Chile
- France
- Italy

MAIN APPELLATIONS
By type: Red wine

Colchagua, Maule. In France, it can enter the AOCs of Bordeaux (Crémant de Bordeaux, Graves, Haut-Médoc, Médoc, Margaux, Moulis, Pauillac, Pessac-Léognan, St-Émilion, St-Julien and other Grands Crus).

SHALL WE TASTE?
In the glass

red wine

As a single grape variety, it is distinguished by the depth of its colour, which can go as deep as black. Nose marked by black and red fruits, notes of undergrowth, pepper, liquorice, menthol and subtle herbaceous nuances when the wine is young. On the palate, it is fleshy, not very acidic and has silky tannins. Flavors become generous with time. Beautiful aromatic persistence. High alcohol content (14%).

In blending, often associated with Cabernet Sauvignon, the wines are more structured and full-bodied in a very Bordeaux style. The acidity is even less marked if the wine comes from warm climate, such as Chile.

FOOD AND WINE PAIRINGS

Carménère with your meals

red wine

Red meat dishes (game) grilled or in sauce. Their strength can support hearty and hearty dishes.

OUR SELECTION

CARMÉNÈRE
More information

Carménère, the Chilean wine that is moving upmarket

It is here in Chile that Carménère has found its best terroir, long wrongly confused with Merlot.

A confusion that ended in 1994 when the ampelographer Jean Michel Boursiquot identified by chance one of the Merlot plots of one of the oldest estates in Chile: Vina Carmen located in the Maipo Valley, 40 km south of Santiago.

In two decades, Chile has become the world's 4th largest exporter of wine by volume, becoming the world's leading producer of Carménère.

It has become the emblematic grape variety of the country. Yes, Argentina has its Malbec, Uruguay has its Tannat and Chile has its Carménère!

In no time at all, it is playing in the big league alongside Carbernets, Syrah or Malbec to seduce specialists from all over the world. Its indisputable place on the international market has renewed interest from producers who pay particular attention to its evolution over the years and according to the terroirs. A craze that is taking its place in the Chilean Grands Crus with local winemakers, but also foreign ones!

Chile, a perfect playground for winegrowers

With its warm climate and volcanic or high altitude soils, Chile is a great playground for winegrowers. On the plains of the Andes, the culture is optimal. It is moreover the nature of the soils and the altitude which prevented the attacks of the phylloxera parasite known in the past (XIXth century).

The Carménère as monovarietal wine is the most interesting: very colourful, rich and round, it express the characteristic green and red pepper aromas.

Modern technology is reviving the ancient grape variety that was thought to have disappeared: Cellars using gravity, semi-buried cellars keeping the freshness, egg-shaped concrete amphorae, state-of-the-art vats, the estates are ultra-equipped and proudly propel Carménère to the forefront of the scene.

In the Curico Valley in the central plain of the country, Denis Duveau expresses his keen interest in Carménère and pays tribute to it to the point of having made the choice to move to another country.

Before moving to Chile to work as an oenologist and market the wines he makes under the name "El Grano", Denis Duveau was the owner of Domaine des Roches Neuves in the Loire Valley producing under the appellation Saumur-Champigny. What better testimony than to devote a lifetime to the expression of the grape variety?

Find El Grano wines on our website.

Related search terms: Carmènère, Carmeneyre, Carmenelle, Cabernelle, Carmenea, Carmenegre, Bouton Blanc, Bordo, Gran Vidyur, Grand Vidyur, Grande Viduire (Médoc), Carbouet (Graves), Carbonnet, Cabernet Gernischt (China), Carbernet Carmenere, Cabernet Cosmo, Cabernet Gernicht, Cabernet Gernischet, Cabernet Gerniseht, Cabernet Grande, Cabernet Grosso, Cabernet Italico, Cabernet Shelongzhu, Carbonet, Carbouet, Grosse Vidure, Kanerne, Kaberne Karmener, Kabernel, Karmene, Karmensel, Uva Francesca.