Our Carménère wines

Long mistaken for Merlot, Carménère has found a new home in Chile. This red grape produces generous and spicy wines, with aromas of black fruit, pepper, and sometimes violet or cocoa. Discover our selection of Chilean Carménère wines, with two expressions from Viu Manent, in the heart of the Colchagua Valley: from the elegant and accessible Gran Reserva to the iconic El Incidente cuvée.

Carménère, the Bordeaux grape that became emblematic of Chile

The history of Carménère is one of the most astonishing in the wine world.

Originally from Bordeaux, it was historically part of the Bordeaux grape family alongside Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, and Petit Verdot. But after the phylloxera crisis in the 19th century, Carménère practically disappeared from Bordeaux vineyards.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the Atlantic, Chile was growing Carménère without really knowing it. Arriving with grapes imported from Bordeaux in the 19th century, it was long mistaken for Merlot, which it resembled in the vineyards. There was even talk of a "Chilean Merlot," whose character differed significantly from that of French Merlots.

It wasn't until 1994 that French ampelographer Jean-Michel Boursiquot, observing Chilean vineyards considered to be Merlot, identified the grape: it was in fact Carménère. This
rediscovery was all the more spectacular as the variety had almost disappeared from its native Bordeaux in the interim.

Chile had thus rediscovered one of Bordeaux's forgotten grape varieties and would soon make it one of the signatures of its vineyards. Today, Carménère is inseparable from Chilean wine, offering one of its most unique expressions.

What does Carménère taste like?

Carménère generally produces fruity red wines,
spicy and generous, with a rather velvety texture and tannins often softer than those of Cabernet Sauvignon.

Depending on the terroir, the ripeness of the grapes, and the winemaking process, one can find aromas of blackberry, blackcurrant, and plum, as well as black pepper, spices, and violet. Some expressions also develop characteristic vegetal or herbaceous notes, while
barrel aging can bring nuances of coffee, cocoa, or toasted wood.

It is precisely this balance between ripe fruit, spices, freshness, and texture that makes up much of the charm of Chilean Carménère.

The Colchagua Valley, land of Carménère

Among the great wine regions of Chile, the Colchagua Valleyis particularly renowned for its red wines. Located in the southern
part of the Rapel Valley, it has become known for its Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère, Syrah, and Malbec.

This is where Viu Manent, the producer of the two Carménère wines selected by Vinodelice, is located.

Viu Manent: a family history since 1935

Viu Manent is a Chilean house founded in 1935 by Miguel Viu García, a Catalan immigrant, with his sons Agustín and Miguel Viu Manent. Originally, Bodegas Viu focused on trading and bottling wines for the Chilean market.

A turning point occurred in 1966 with the acquisition of Hacienda San Carlos de Cunaco, in the Colchagua Valley. The property then included 150 hectares of old vineyards of French origin as well as a winery. Viu Manent gradually moved from trading to producing its own wines.

Still owned by the Viu family today, the house claims this family continuity and a constant quest for quality. Carménère holds a special place there, becoming the
base of one of its emblematic wines: El Incidente.

Two expressions of Carménère at Vinodelice

Our selection allows you to discover two facets of Viu Manent's Carménère, with a Gran Reserva cuvée representative of the grape variety and a much more ambitious wine designed to express its aging potential and complexity.

Viu Manent Gran Reserva Carménère 2022

The Viu Manent Gran Reserva Carménère 2022is an excellent entry point into the world of this grape variety.

The philosophy of the Gran Reserva range is based on selected vineyard plots and seeks generous wines with
supple and elegant tannins. Wood aging is used while maintaining the balance between fruit and the influence of the barrel.

Thus, we find the seductive profile of Carménère: ripe fruit, spices, roundness, and structure, in a style that helps us understand why this grape has become one of the great ambassadors of Chilean
red wine.

El Incidente 2018: Carménère in iconic version

With El Incidente 2018, we're in a different league.

El Incidente is Viu Manent's first iconic Carménère wine. Launched in 2010 for the house's 75th anniversary, the
cuvée takes its name from a rather improbable adventure: José Miguel Viu, the third generation of the family, had set out with friends to fly over the Colchagua vineyards in a hot-air balloon. The journey ended much less controllably than expected, with an impromptu landing in Santa Cruz.

The cuvée has become a tribute to this "incident," but also, more broadly, to the equally unexpected rediscovery of Carménère in Chile.

For the 2018 vintage offered by Vinodelice, the Carménère comes from the La Capillavineyard, while the Malbecthat completes the blend comes from San Carlos. Viu Manent describes this edition as featuring black fruit, spices, and freshness, with a deep palate and velvety tannins.

Two bottles, then, but two very different ways to discover the grape variety: the Gran Reserva for an accessible
and characteristic expression of Carménère; El Incidente for a more ambitious and age-worthy interpretation.

What to eat with Carménère?

Carménère pairs particularly well with dishes that have enough character to match its fruit and spices.

It goes very well with grilled meats, lamb, duck, and slow-cooked dishes. Its spicy character also works with some curry cuisines, lightly smoked preparations, and, more generally, dishes where spices play an important role.

More structured Carménères, such as El Incidente, can accompany more powerful dishes: Viu Manent specifically suggests duck, wild boar, lamb, or spicy curry preparations.

Your questions about Carménère, our answers

What is Carménère?

Carménère is a red grape variety originally from Bordeaux, now primarily associated with Chile. It generally produces fruity, spicy, and generous red wines, recognizable by their notes of black fruit, pepper, and sometimes violet or herbs.

Why is Carménère associated with Chile?

Introduced to Chile with other Bordeaux grape varieties in the 19th century, Carménère was long mistaken for Merlot there. It was formally identified only in 1994 by the French ampelographer Jean-Michel Boursiquot. While it had almost disappeared from Bordeaux, Chile still had significant plantings of it.

What does Carménère wine taste like?

A Carménère generally presents aromas of blackberry, plum, or blackcurrant, accompanied by spicy and peppery notes. Depending on its ripeness and winemaking, it can also have notes of violet, herbs, cocoa, or coffee.

Is Carménère a fruity red wine?

Yes. Carménère can definitely be considered a fruity red wine, particularly thanks to its aromas of blackberry, plum, and ripe dark fruits. But its profile is not limited to fruit: its peppery, spicy, and sometimes vegetal notes generally give it more complexity.

Is Carménère a powerful wine?

It can be rich and concentrated, but Carménère generally has a rather velvety texture. Depending on the desired style, one can find both supple and immediately accessible wines and much more structured Carménère intended for aging.

What's the difference between Carménère and Cabernet Sauvignon?

Cabernet Sauvignon generally has more tannic structure and readily develops aromas of blackcurrant, cedar, or graphite. Carménère tends to have a softer texture, with more ripe fruit, spices, pepper, and sometimes a vegetal signature.

What's the difference between Carménère and Merlot?

Merlot is generally round, soft, and very fruity. Carménère can resemble it in texture, which helps explain their historical confusion in Chile, but it often has a more spicy, peppery, and vegetal character.

Which region of Chile should I choose for a Carménère?

The Colchagua Valleyis one of the major reference regions for Chilean Carménère. It is particularly recognized for its red grape varieties and is home to Viu Manent's vineyards.

What dish should I pair with Carménère?

Carménère pairs very well with lamb, duck, grilled or slow-cooked meats, and certain spicy dishes. Its fruit and peppery notes also make it a very good candidate for a barbecue.

At what temperature should Carménère be served?

A temperature around 16 to 18 °C(60-64°F) is suitable for most
Carménère wines. The most concentrated cuvées can benefit from decanting: Viu Manent specifically recommends decanting El Incidente.

How long can Carménère be kept?

It depends on the cuvée. Fruity Carménère can be enjoyed relatively young, while more concentrated and structured wines can evolve for several years. Viu Manent indicates, for example, an aging potential of 10 yearsfor El Incidente 2020.

What is the price of a Carménère wine?

The price of a Carménère varies depending on the estate, the terroir, the level of
selection, and the aging process. The grape can produce both accessible Chilean winesand high-end cuvées from single-vineyard selections intended for aging.

Where can I buy Carménère online?

At Vinodelice, our selection of Chilean Carménèrehighlights Viu Manent and the Colchagua Valley, with two complementary expressions: the Gran Reserva Carménère and El Incidente, the house's iconic cuvée.

Find our list of grape varietiesand choose the wine that suits you.