Merlot is a red wine that is a safe choice for most people; it’s fruity with low tannins and acid which make it soft, smooth and easy to drink. However many wine drinkers are now venturing out of their safe zone and are exploring new varietals and wine. I am asked quite frequently about the Carmenere (pronounced Carmen-AIR) grape and the type of flavours associated with this wine.
It is quite an interesting story. Carmenere was originally planted in Medoc, France over two hundred years ago. It was used primarily as a blending grape alongside Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. In the 1850’s vine disease affected the region and the Carmenere grape never really made a comeback, today very little is grown anywhere in France. However the vine was imported to Chile where most of the Carmenere grape is found today. The vines love the sandy soils and the dry warm summers and Carmenere has found a successful place to grow and make good wines. Over 4000 hectares is planted in the Maipo Valley in Chile where dry conditions favour the growth of the Carmenere vine. To create a more structured and full bodied wine, Carmenere is sometimes blended with Cabernet Sauvignon in Chile. A small amount of Carmenere is also grown in California and Washington.
Carmenere is, for the most part, a smooth wine due to manageable acid and tannin levels. Its’ profile includes red and dark berry flavours and spice. Many feature an attractive smoky cedar bouquet that is due to aging the wine in toasted oak barrels. The tannins are soft and the colour is rich and deep. Carmenere has a silky texture and is best drunk young, usually within five years of the vintage date. So don’t be intimidated and try it the next time you are selecting a bottle. To help you in searching out a Carmenere I have listed and described a few of my favourites, all found in the Chilean section of your local wine store and for fewer than 20 dollars.
Concho-y-toro is well known to Chilean wine lovers. They have produced a new wine named Winemakers’ Lot Carmenere, 2005. Only the best grapes selected every harvest make it to the winemakers series and the Carmenere is the first of this series. The wine features balanced flavours of black cherries, dark chocolate and smoky cedar. It’s a smooth wine with just enough tannin to structure the wine. This is a limited wine that won’t be around for a long time so make sure to try it soon.
Santa Ema, Barrel Reserve Carmenere, 2004 was named one of the top 100 wine values of the year by Wine Spectator. It is round with full flavoured extracted cherry and blackcurrant flavours. I enjoyed the hint of herbs and cocoa on the finish. Smooth and polished with a smoky, meaty texture this wine is a great value priced less than twenty dollars. Try it with roast poultry and pork dishes.
The well known and respected Chilean winery, Cremaschi Furlotti, has released its’ 2005 Carmenere. Here we have plums and blackberries on the nose and spice and soft tannins on the palate. Its’ medium to full bodied texture lends itself to beef dishes and especially BBQ.
Viu Manent, Reserve 2005 is a well made and balanced wine. The aromas of plums, raspberries and strawberries are intermingled with hints of herbs. Lush and round in the mouth the wine also has flavours of leather, earth and dark chocolate. Wine Spectator rates this wine 90 points out of 100. A good bargain for under 20 dollars.
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