With it's origins in Bordeaux, Carménère was mistaken for a long time as Merlot. It's still grown in Bordeaux but it has made it's home in Chile where brilliant examples are being produced.

WHAT:

Red grape variety producing ruby red wines with medium tannin, med/high acidity and medium body.

Carménère makes interesting fruit forward wines with a twist, a herbaceous tendency similar to bell pepper.

WHERE:

France - Bordeaux

Chile

China

Italy - Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia 

USA - California, Washington

Australia, New Zealand

FLAVOURS / TASTES:

Red fruit - raspberry, cherries, plums, 

Cocoa, leather, tobacco, smoky

Green bell pepper

OTHER NAMES:

Cabernet Gernischt, carmenelle, cabernelle, bouton blanc, carbouet; carbonet

FOOD PAIRINGS:

Like Merlot, Carmenere is super easy to pair with food.

Think about where it thrives (Chile) and think of dishes with a little bit of extra flavour thrown in - such as a molé sauce.

This wine does well with both red and white meats and likes a bit of spice or charring to bring out the smokiness that it can sometimes have. The same also goes for cheese - smoked cheeses.

Because of it's herby tendencies this wine pairs really well with vegetables - especially peppers, stuffed, roasted, in a stir fry - it love them.