The long lost 6th grape of Bordeaux. It made its was to Chile in the 19th century, having been planted alongside other grapes. This presumably led to a ‘confusion’ between it and merlot, although a distinction is said to have been generally known, carmenere having typically being referred to as “merlot Chileno”.

But it was in 1994 that ampelographist Jean Michel Bousiquot from Montpelielier University discovered that it was indeed carmenere that Chile had been cultivating. The existence of carmenere was discovered in Carmen Vineyards on…you guessed it: November 24. Since the 90s, it has taken off and is seen as a now uniquely Chilean grape.

While it can be a tricky varietal to produce, since it can teeter between being too green if underripe and too flat if overripe, at its sweet spot, carmenere in Chile offers the lovely, spicy blackcurrant notes of cabernet sauvignon while maintaining the more smooth and rich texture of merlot. Keep an eye out for offerings from the regions of Peumo and Apalta and go find yourself a bottle or two and celebrate the 20th anniversary of Chilean carmenere!

Cheers!