{"id":3635,"date":"2018-06-15T13:25:34","date_gmt":"2018-06-15T13:25:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.winetraveler.com\/?post_type=grape&p=3635"},"modified":"2019-12-13T11:52:23","modified_gmt":"2019-12-13T16:52:23","slug":"carmenere","status":"publish","type":"grape","link":"https:\/\/www.winetraveler.com\/grape\/carmenere\/","title":{"rendered":"Carm\u00e9n\u00e8re"},"content":{"rendered":"

Learn About Carmenere Wine and Where This Unique Grape Originated From<\/h2>\n

Carm\u00e9n\u00e8re is a medium bodied savory red wine originating from France, but now predominantly produced in Chile. The name for the grape was derived from the French word for crimson \u201ccarmin\u201d referring to the bright crimson autumn leaves of the vines prior to leaf fall.<\/p>\n

It was originally planted in the Medoc region in France and occasionally used in small percentages in Bordeaux blends. Carm\u00e9n\u00e8re was largely abandoned in France due to its poor fruit set and unreliable yields after the threat of phylloxera in the 19th<\/sup> century. Around this time,\u00a0Carm\u00e9n\u00e8re was brought to Chile and originally planted amongst other varietals, including Merlot. It was later identified and now flourishes in Chile\u2019s optimal warm and dry growing environment.<\/p>\n

Carm\u00e9n\u00e8re is Chile\u2019s quintessential grape varietal. In 1998 it was declared the official variety for the country. \u00a0It is found principally in the Colchagua, Rapel, and Maipo valleys. Outside of Chile, Carmenere is found in small quantities — North Eastern Italy in the Veneto is of particular note. Carm\u00e9n\u00e8re is produced as a mono varietal but often is accompanied with Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon.<\/p>\n

\"Carmenere<\/a><\/p>\n

What Does Carm\u00e9n\u00e8re Wine Taste Like? What Foods Pair Well with Carm\u00e9n\u00e8re?<\/h2>\n

Carm\u00e9n\u00e8re is deep and bright ruby red in color. When harvested early, Carm\u00e9n\u00e8re can lend toward the herbaceous side of the flavor spectrum. When optimally ripe, these wines exhibit pronounced notes of red raspberry and savory sour cherry fruit. Spicy earth notes are present along with dark chocolate, tobacco and leather.<\/p>\n

The high acid and soft tannin profile makes Carm\u00e9n\u00e8re an ideal food pair with a variety of cuisine from cheeses to meats with lower fat content.<\/p>\n

Many fine examples are found in Chile such as Montes Alpha Carm\u00e9n\u00e8re from Colchagua Valley, Chile. The wine demonstrates the elegant quality that can be enjoyed upon release or will age gracefully for 10 years. From the Veneto in Italy, Inama Carm\u00e9n\u00e8re Piu is another example of a premium fine wine made primarily from Carm\u00e9n\u00e8re.<\/p>\n

Learn About These Other Wine Grape Varieties<\/span><\/h3>\n
Chardonnay<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n
Chenin Blanc<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n
Cabernet Sauvignon<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n
Grenache<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n
Malbec<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n
Marsanne<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n
Nebbiolo<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n
Petit Verdot<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n
Pinot Grigio<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n
Pinot Meunier<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n
Riesling<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n
Tannat<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n
Teroldego<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n
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Written By Greig Santos-Buch<\/strong><\/p>\n

Greig Santos-Buch is a Co-Founder at Winetraveler.com and a WSET 2 Merit wine writer. He works with several brands focusing on experiential and immersive-style travel. In his spare time, you can find him hiking with a bottle of Cabernet Franc in his backpack or scuba diving trying to talk a reef shark into trying Swiss wine.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

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