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Is Carmenere a Cabernet Sauvignon?
A relative of Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere was one originally from the Bordeaux region of France. As you probably know, Bordeaux is famous for its “red blends,” in which the winemaker carefully combines the fruit from several different grapes to achieve the desired aromas and flavors.
Is Carmenere a Bordeaux wine?
Along with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot, Carménère is considered one of the original six red grapes of Bordeaux.
Is Carmenere wine sweet or dry?
DryCarménère / Sweetness of resulting wine
Is Carmenere the same as Malbec?
The Carmenere had smoke, rich red/black fruit, and a concentrated note like fig. The Malbec had a more pronounced oak (similar to a fireplace, though it could just be this one producer), and the wine seemed to be more red/purple flowers than fruit.
Is Carmenere similar to Pinot Noir?
Of these three red grapes, Pinot Noir tends to have the lightest body (that can range from light to medium). Carmenere tends to have a medium to lighter body, and Cabernet Sauvignon has medium to big body. For service temperature, Pinot Noir is best served at 14ºC, Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenere at 16–18ºC.
Is Carmenere the same as cabernet franc?
The four grapes of Merlot, Carménère, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Hondarribi Beltza have the same parent, which is Cabernet Franc. Carménère is particularly unique because Cabernet Franc is it's parent, as well as it's great great grandparent – perhaps this helps explain why Carménère and Cabernet Franc taste so similar!
What does Carménère pair with?
Due to its smoky notes and big but soft tannins, Carmenere works very well when accompanied by dishes made on the bbq, especially lean meats such as Sirloin steaks, or some cuts of Pork and Lamb. Due to its spiced character, the pairing becomes even better if you use herbaceous sauces like a Chimichurri.
What do you drink with Carménère?
Carménère is a red wine that pairs best with lean but meaty dishes such as Lamb with Mushrooms, Pork Tacos, Turkey, Beef Stew, Pasta with Meat Sauce, Tuna Steak or grilled chicken.
Does Carménère have high tannins?
Carmenère wines are medium to full bodied with high levels of tannin and relatively low acidity. Like Merlot, it has a velvet texture accompanied by black fruit flavors of blackberry, black cherry and plum, with spicy notes of clove and black pepper giving it a savory character.
How do you pronounce Carménère wine?
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Why is Chilean wine so good?
Even though much of Chile has a dry, Mediterranean climate, the coastal influence and soils produce wines with more elegance (i.e. a lighter body) and savory flavors.
How long is Carménère good for?
If the wine is of high quality (like the ones from Peumo), then Carmenere ages well and can keep for over 15 years. When the tannins in Carmenere are well-balanced, it can age well, whereas if the tannin levels are low, it is better to drink it young.
Is Carmenere a Bordeaux varietal?
One of six Noble Bordeaux red varietals, Carmenere was an important blending component in wines produced in Graves and Pessac Leognan. During the 1860s, Carmenere, along with much of France's vines, were infested by phylloxera, a tiny little aphid that came over from America.
What grape is Carmenere similar to?
Cabernet SauvignonWhat varieties of grape are similar to Carmenère? Carmenère shares similarities with its Bordeaux stablemates Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, with good structure in both acid and tannin profile, as well as sharing sometimes peppery, leafy, blackcurrant and red and black fruit notes.
Where did Carmenere originate?
FranceMédocCarménère/Origin
What does Carmenere pair with?
Due to its smoky notes and big but soft tannins, Carmenere works very well when accompanied by dishes made on the bbq, especially lean meats such as Sirloin steaks, or some cuts of Pork and Lamb. Due to its spiced character, the pairing becomes even better if you use herbaceous sauces like a Chimichurri.
What does Carménère wine taste like?
When the grapes are harvested at prime ripeness, the wine will have a sweet/sour cherry flavor with layers of smoky, earthy flavors and it will be deep crimson in appearance.
What Is Carménère?
Carménère is a red wine grape that is believed to have come from the Médoc wine-growing region of Bordeaux in France. This grape varietal is thought to be one of the six original red grapes from this part of France. Ironically, it is now very difficult to find any wineries producing wines from this grape.
How to Pronounce Carménère?
Carménère pronunciation is very important in wine society, and being a rare wine, many will wonder how to pronounce the name correctly Carménère pronunciation. Follow the following guidelines and take care on where to put the emphasis:
Where Does Carménère Come From?
Although Carménère originated in the Bordeaux region of France, it is now a rare find in the country of its birth. It was used mainly as a blending grape in the 1870s. The vast majority of Carménère wines produced today, come from Chile – its adopted homeland, and the wine industry of that country is going from strength to strength. This wine is also produced in Italy and China.
How to Serve Carménère?
Because of its beautiful purple color, it is worth taking the time to admire its brilliance and opacity in the glass. Use a classic stemmed red wine glass with a large bowl.
How Long Should Carménère Breathe?
You should decant the wine and allow it to breathe for at least thirty minutes before serving. In the unlikely event that you do not consume all the wine in one go, make sure to re-seal the wine in the bottle and it should be fine to drink with the next three days.
What Food to Pair With Carménère?
Carménère food pairing is made easier by the light tannins and high acidity of the wine. It is a red wine that will pair perfectly with a large number of cuisines and dishes. For example, the lower tannins match well with light, low-fat options. On the other hand, the acidity levels are delicious with sharp acidic sauces that are found in Cuban or Chinese cuisines. The herbal notes bring an additional pairing option because they go perfectly with salsas, pesto, or minty flavors. Bearing that in mind, you will see that Carménère wine will be great with salads, vegetarian dishes, and classic Italian flavors.
What does Carménère taste like?
What Carménère Tastes Like. Carménère is a medium-bodied red wine with red fruit and berry aromas and flavors. Producers are careful to harvest grapes at optimal ripeness because under-ripe grapes tend to impart intense bitter and herbaceous notes of green bell pepper and paprika.
What is the best wine to use with a meat dish?
Much like Merlot, Carménère is an excellent choice to pair with everyday dishes. The wine’s higher acidity and medium tannins make it an easy choice for a variety of meat dishes, from barbecued pork to roast chicken. For elevated versions, use herb-crusted seasonings or a peppercorn marinade to compliment Carménère’s natural herbaceous and peppery character.
Where does Carménère come from?
You’ll find that most Carménère on the market today hails from Colchagua Valley. Most wines will exhibit rich raspberry sauce aromas along with a distinct green peppercorn herbal note. However, the region is quite varied in style from the coast to the foothills of the Andes.
What does Carménère taste like?
On the more affordable end, you can expect to find Carménère wines with honest fruity red berry aromas and tart flavors of raspberry with a subtly bitter taste similar to kale.
What was Carménère originally thought to be?
Originally, Carménère was thought to be Merlot when it was first transplanted into Chile. This case of mistaken identity is perhaps what saved Carménère from extinction when Phylloxera devastated the vineyards of Bordeaux in the late 1800’s.
What grapes are used in Rapel Valley wine?
Wines labeled with Rapel Valley are made with grapes that can hail from both Colchagua and Cachapoal Valleys.
What is the most common blend of Carménère?
Carménère wines with blackberry, black plum, or other black fruit flavors almost always contain about 10–15% of another wine variety blended in (Petit Verdot, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon are the most common). The blended wines consistently outperform in ratings compared to the 100% single-varietal Carménère wines.
Why are Andes wines so floral?
The Andes’ wines tended to be more floral with great length in the finish due to the heightened acidity. So, if to prefer a lighter more elegant style, keep your eyes peeled for higher elevation, Andes wines and vice versa.
What is the rarest Merlot grape?
FACT: In 1994, DNA analysis revealed that most of what was thought to be Chilean Merlot was, in fact, the rare Bordeaux grape: Carménère.
What is Carmenere wine?
But before we dig into more details about Carmenere, let me present a few introductory facts in order to get the ball rolling: Along with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, and Petit Verdot, Carmenère is considered one of the original six red grapes of Bordeaux, France.
What is Carménère?
Carménère is one of the oldest noble European grape varietals used for blending purposes in all the great Bordeaux wines as well as for creating single varietal wine.
Why do Carménère grapes smell?
When Carménère grapes are harvested underripe, the aromas produced by pyrazines can be associated with the smell of rotten asparagus or mushy steamed peppers, so letting grapes achieve the perfect ripeness is vital. Optimal sun exposure helps to burn harsh tannins, while unpleasant pyrazines aromas are slowly converting into pleasant aromas of green pepper or jalapeño.
Why did the Carménère grape go extinct?
Feeling very unhappy in the cool climate of the Bordeaux region, it was even more prone to the attack of aggressive aphids than other grape varieties. The local wine growers decided not to replant Carménère and replaced it with Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc considering the variety to be too finicky and not worth it in the maritime climate. Soon after that, it was presumed effectively extinct.
What is the original spelling of grapes?
The original spelling of the grape and wine is Carmenère but the latest trend suggests rendering it without the accents as just “Carmenere” or, if you are a real wine enthusiast, with two accents: Carménère. I use that version throughout the entire article.
What temperature should wine be stored at?
Heat is enemy number one for any wine. Temperatures higher than 21°C (70°F) will age your wine and if you store it at temperatures above 25°C (77°F) all aromas and flavors may just get flat. The ideal serving temperature is 13°C (55°F) but you are safe all the way up to 18°C (65°F).
What is the alcohol level of Carménère?
Usually, Carménère is a dry, medium-bodied wine with low-to-medium acidity and silky, sublime tannins. It has an elevated alcohol level - up to 14-15% ABV (ABV stands for the amount of alcohol in a given volume of liquid).
What is Carménère wine?
Carménère is known for producing wines with red fruit flavors , along with an unmistakable pepper note. Carménère contains higher levels of aroma compounds called pyrazines, which give wines like Carménère, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon subtle flavors of bell pepper, green peppercorn, eucalyptus, and even cocoa powder.
Where is Carménère grape grown?
Before the 1870s, Carménère was a prevalent blending grape in Bordeaux, found mostly in Graves and the Pessac-Léognan appellations. However, due to the phylloxera infestation, nearly all the Carménère vines – along with most of the vineyards in Bordeaux – were wiped out.
How long does it take for a Carménère grape to ripen?
Carménère ripens usually about 4–5 weeks after Merlot, which means the grape needs ample hang-time (and good weather) to properly mature. When it does, it produces small bunches of deep blue-black grapes and in the fall, when the leaves turn brilliant shades of red and orange. The overall production of a Carménère vine is naturally quite low, which could be considered a positive for highly concentrated, high quality grapes. Overall, the grape is said to be moderately difficult to grow well, but has been noted to perform promisingly in sandy soils (where it produces elegant, aromatic wines) and clay-based soils (where it makes richer, more structured wines).
What is the best wine to serve with grilled meat?
The lighter tannin and higher acidity in Carménère wine make it quite an easy red to pair with a great variety of dishes. Ideally, leaner grilled meats with savory sauces like Chimichurri, green salsas, mint, or parsley pesto will complement the herbal qualities of the wine and make it taste more fruity. Carménère will even do well alongside darker white meats, including turkey and duck.
Which grapes have the same parent?
The four grapes of Merlot, Carménère, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Hondarribi Beltza have the same parent, which is Cabernet Franc. Carménère is particularly unique because Cabernet Franc is it’s parent, as well as it’s great great grandparent – perhaps this helps explain why Carménère and Cabernet Franc taste so similar!
What is 100% Carménère?
100% Carménère wines generally have more red fruit flavors of raspberry and pomegranate along with the classic notes of green pepper and paprika.
When was Carménère first brought to Chile?
Carménère was first brought to Chile in the mid 1800s and was thought to be Merlot until 1994.
Food Pairing
The herbaceous, peppercorn-like flavros in Carmenere are a great embellishment to roast meats (from chicken to beef) and savory cumin-spiced dishes.
About Madeline Puckette
James Beard Award-winning author and Wine Communicator of the Year. I co-founded Wine Folly to help people learn about wine. @WineFolly
Overview
The Carménère grape is a wine grape variety originally planted in the Médoc region of Bordeaux, France, where it was used to produce deep red wines and occasionally used for blending purposes in the same manner as Petit Verdot.
A member of the Cabernet family of grapes, the name "Carménère" originates from the French word for crimson (carmin) which refers to the brilliant crimso…
History
One of the most ancient European varieties, Carménère is thought to be the antecedent of other better-known varieties; some consider the grape to be "a long-established clone of Cabernet Sauvignon." It is possible that the variety name is an alias for what is actually the Vidure, a local Bordeaux name for a Cabernet Sauvignon clone once thought to be the grape from which all red Bor…
Viticulture
Carménère favors a long growing season in moderate to warm climates. During harvest time and the winter period the vine fares poorly if it is introduced to high levels of rain or irrigation water. This is particularly true in poor-soil plantings where the vine would need more water. Over-watering during this period accentuates the herbaceous and green pepper characteristics of the grape. The grape naturally develops high levels of sugar before the tannins achieve ripeness. If gr…
Distinction from Merlot
Genetic research has shown that Carménère may be distantly related to Merlot and the similarities in appearance have linked the two vines for centuries. Despite the similarities, there are some noticeable differences that aid the ampelographer in identifying the two vines. When young, Carménère leaves have a reddish hue underneath, while the leaves of Merlot are white. There are also slight differences in leaf shape with the central lobe of Merlot leaves being longer. …
Characteristics
Carménère wine has a deep red color and aromas found in red fruits, spices and berries. The tannins are gentler and softer than those in Cabernet Sauvignon and it is a medium body wine. As a result, many find it can be drunk easily with fish. Although mostly used as a blending grape, wineries do bottle a pure varietal Carménère which, when produced from grapes at optimal ripeness, imparts a cherry-like, fruity flavor with smoky, spicy and earthy notes and a deep crim…
External links
• Carménère Al Mundo Asociación de Ingenieros Agrónomos de Chile (in Spanish)