Carmenere is a red wine grape variety native to France, which up to the late 19th-century phylloxera outbreak, was extensively grown across the Bordeaux region.
However, few people are aware that Carmenere was actually rediscovered in Chile in the 1990s, after being incorrectly recognised as Merlot for more than a century. Due to this fortunate mishap, Carmenere is now native to Chile, where its favourable temperature and soil types allow it to flourish.
Carmenere is renowned for its rich tastes and deep purple colour. It frequently has scents of red and black fruits, such as blackberries, as well as a touch of tobacco and spices. Usually medium to full-bodied, the wine has mild acidity and smooth tannins. It can be enjoyed both when first bottled, or after a few years of aging, as it develops more complexity over time.