Had a fascinating conversation at a tasting last week about Chilean Carmenere. The sommelier made a point that stuck with me: this grape has finally stepped out from Argentine Malbec’s shadow after decades of quiet work in the background.
The history here is wild when you dig into it. Carmenere arrived in Chile from France before phylloxera wiped out most of the European vineyards. For years, Chilean winemakers thought they were growing Merlot. It wasn’t until the 1990s that ampelographers figured out what was actually in those vineyards. Can you imagine discovering your signature grape had been misidentified for generations?
I tried a few bottles recently that genuinely impressed me. There’s a savory quality to good Chilean Carmenere that you just don’t find anywhere else. Green bell pepper notes when it’s underripe, sure, but when they nail the harvest timing? Dark fruit, herbs, and this almost meaty depth that pairs beautifully with grilled lamb.
International critics have taken notice, which helps. I’ve seen several Chilean Carmeneres pulling top scores in publications that used to overlook South American wines entirely. Export growth keeps climbing as more wine drinkers discover what makes this grape special. It’s not trying to be Merlot anymore, and that confidence shows in the bottle.
