HomeGrape LibraryCarménère
Red grape 🇫🇷 Bordeaux, France

Carménère

/ kar-meh-NAIR / · Also known as Grande Vidure

Chile's signature red — dark fruit with a savoury hint of green pepper and paprika.

Carménère was a Bordeaux grape almost lost after phylloxera. It survived in Chile, where for over a century it was mistaken for Merlot — until DNA testing identified it in 1994. Fully ripe, it gives soft, dark-fruited reds with a distinctive savoury note of roasted pepper and spice.

Serve at

16–18°C

Glass

Bordeaux glass

Decanting

About 30 minutes

Climate

Warm

Structure

How Carménère typically feels in the mouth.

BodyMedium+
AcidityMedium
TanninMedium
AlcoholMedium+

Aromas & flavours

What to look for in the glass.

Fruit

Black cherryPlumRaspberry

Green & spice

Green bell pepperPaprikaBlack pepper

Oak

CocoaTobaccoVanilla

Where it grows

The regions to know on a wine list.

Food pairing

Classic matches that work every time.

  • Grilled steak
  • Pork with paprika
  • Empanadas
  • Chilli con carne
  • Roasted peppers

Say it at the table

“Chile's signature red — dark fruit with a savoury hint of green pepper and paprika. Great value, great with grilled meat.”

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