🍇 Carménère
An old red grape from Bordeaux that nearly vanished in France but became a symbol of Chile.
Carménère is an old red grape from Bordeaux in France. By pedigree it is close to Cabernet Franc and Gros Cabernet: these are its ancestors. It was once grown in Bordeaux, where it was valued for its softness and spicy aroma.
In France the grape almost disappeared. The reasons were phylloxera in the 19th century and the vine's fussiness. Carménère flowers poorly in wet weather, so berries drop, and it ripens late.
It found a second life in Chile. It was brought there in the 19th century but was long mistaken for Merlot. Only in the 1990s was it shown to be a separate variety. Since then Carménère has been regarded as a symbol of Chilean wine.
The wine is usually dark and soft, with notes of blackcurrant, pepper and dried herbs. If the harvest is underripe, a green note shows.
The grape is tied to French wine and belongs to the general list of grape varieties.
Links
- Part of
- 🍇 Grape varieties
- Origin
- 🗺️ French wine
- Where it grows
- 📍 Bordeaux
- Parents
- 🍇 Cabernet Franc, 🍇 Gros Cabernet
Frequently asked questions
Where does Carménère come from?
From Bordeaux in France, though today it is famous in Chile.
Why is Carménère called a symbol of Chile?
It was long confused with Merlot in Chile, and when it was identified as a separate variety it became the country's calling card.
What wine does Carménère make?
A dark red with soft tannins and notes of blackcurrant, pepper and herbs.
Similar
🍇 Sauvignon Gris · 🍇 Gros Verdot · 🍇 Saint-Macaire · 🍇 Bacchus Noir · 🍇 Merlot Blanc · 🍇 Couderc 161-49