Carmenere
Tasting Notes
Carménère is a distinctive red wine grape that has become the signature variety of Chile, known for its rich flavors and unique characteristics, it is recognizable for its mix of fruit and green herbal notes. Carménère originally hails from Bordeaux, France, where it was used to produce deep red wines. However, it nearly became extinct due to the phylloxera epidemic in the late 19th century. Chile has now become the largest producer of Carménère.
🧭 Overall Character - Carménère sits stylistically between Merlot and Cabernet Franc. it has softer tannins than Cabernet Sauvignon, more herbal than Merlot and more plush fruit than Cabernet Franc. At it’s best, it’s juicy, savory, lightly smoky, and gently spicy, with a distinctive green edge that gives it personality.
🌿 On the Nose - Raspberry, black cherry, black plum, bell pepper, green peppercorn, chives, jalapeño, and from oak aging notes of vanilla, smoke, coffee, and chocolate.
🍷 On the Palate - Dry, medium to full body, medium to high acidity and medium tannins (smooth, softer than Cabernet Sauvignon). Alcohol 13.5-15% ABV is common. Flavours mirror the aromas of raspberry, blackberry, plum, herbal notes of bell pepper, eucalyptus, green peppercorn and spice. Chocolate, coffee and vanilla if oak aged.
Food Pairing
Carménère’s signature combination of red/black fruit, green pepper herbaceousness, smoke, and medium body makes it unusually versatile — especially with dishes that are tricky for other reds.
🌮 1. Mexican & Latin American Dishes - Carménère is repeatedly highlighted as the red wine for Mexican cuisine; Tamales, carne asada, loaded nachos, Tex‑Mex dishes and Chilean plateada, brisket, and barbacoa. The wine’s green pepper, smoke, and spice echo the flavors in these dishes.
🥗 2. Pepper‑Driven & Herb‑Driven Dishes - Because Carménère tastes like green bell pepper, it pairs beautifully with foods that contain them such as stuffed peppers, ratatouille, chimichurri and veggie‑heavy dishes containing eggplant, zucchini, mushrooms, and peppers.
🍖 3. Medium‑Weight Meats - Carménère has moderate tannins so it prefers leaner meats rather than very fatty cuts.; Lamb with mushrooms and herbs, beef tenderloin, turkey burgers, pork tacos, Italian sausage with grilled peppers, jerk chicken and carne asada.
🧀 4. Cheese Pairings - Pepper jack cheese.
Grilled Steak
Roasted Lamb
Hearty Stew
Blue Cheese