Carmenere is Chile’s quintessential red grape variety. You don’t know it? This one is worth getting to know, as it delivers spectacular, full-bodied reds at very attractive price points! We have pulled our review of wines from this grape variety directly from our recently-released AG Wine for Chile upgrade.
Carmenère, originally from France’s Bordeaux, performs well in Chile’s warmer climates (it is a late-ripening variety) and is definitely one of our favorites. Carmenère typically delivers smooth wines, with big, deep flavors, including those of herbs, pepper, coffee, blackcurrants, and tar; acidity levels are low. Be aware that there are basically two styles of Carmenère – the first and more typical style is characterized by huge, generous fruit, coupled with some spicy notes; the second style is more restrained, displaying a slightly lighter body and a bit more earthy flavor elements.
The best zones are the Cachapaol (especially the Peumo sub-area), Colchagua (esp. the Apalta sub-area), and Maipo (Isla de Maipo) DOs; the Aconcagua DO is also yielding some interesting, Carmenere-based wines in a relatively lighter-bodied style.
Since Carmenère production has faded in France, Chile is now the dominant player in this variety and this is the one grape variety to which Chile can claim an undisputed global leadership. Give these wines a try!
AG Wine for Chile’s wines is now available!AG Wine now supports Chile’s wines, profiling all of the country’s winemaking regions, grape varieties, appellations, and vintages. Best of all: It’s a FREE upgrade for existing AG Wine App owners!
You’re going to need a bigger screen! AG Wine for iPad just became available. AG Wine for iPad offers all of AG Wine’s unique content, an entirely redesigned navigation optimized for the iPad, and full-screen images. Download it now! See aprofile before you download.
We know you want support for more countries and we are hard at work. Argentina (included in AG Wine for iPhone; August release for iPad), the South of France (September release), California, and Australiaare coming soon. As with our iPhone app, existing customers will receive all incremental country releases for FREE!
Chile’s Special Red Wine: Carmenere
AG Wine for Chile’s wines is now available! AG Wine now supports Chile’s wines, profiling all of the country’s winemaking regions, grape varieties, appellations, and vintages. Best of all: It’s a FREE upgrade for existing AG Wine App owners!
You’re going to need a bigger screen! AG Wine for iPad just became available. AG Wine for iPad offers all of AG Wine’s unique content, an entirely redesigned navigation optimized for the iPad, and full-screen images. Download it now! See a profile before you download.
We know you want support for more countries and we are hard at work. Argentina (included in AG Wine for iPhone; August release for iPad), the South of France (September release), California, and Australia are coming soon. As with our iPhone app, existing customers will receive all incremental country releases for FREE!