When referring to Bordeaux wines, most wine connoisseurs think of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. Some may even think of Malbec and Petit Verdot. However, very few think of Carmenère. This grape was one of the original six red-grape varieties found in this region. In the mid-1800s these varieties were exported from France. Shortly thereafter, France was devastated by the infestation of phylloxera and most of the crops were destroyed.

Carmenère harvests late in the season and didn’t produce well in France’s colder weather. Therefore, when it came time to replant, most vintners shied away from this grape. As a result, Carmenère is now almost non-existent in its native region.

So where is Carmenère now?

For over a century Chile was known for its unusually deep and robust Merlots. In the early 1990s, a professor at University of Montpellier discovered why this Chilean “merlot” tasted so different. Through DNA research he discovered that it was actually not a merlot grape, it was Carmenère. There must have been some confusion when the grapes first came over from France in the 1800s because somehow the Carmenère got mixed in with the Merlot crops.

As luck would have it, exporting this grape to Chile not only helped the survival of this grape, but actually made it thrive. The Colchagua Valley of Chile provides Carmenère its ideal terroir . The low humidity from its Coastal Range and consistent Mountain breeze from the Andes provides a Mediterranean-like climate for the grapes to grow slowly and harvest late.

This month’s wine selection is the 2005 Reserva Carmenère from Vina MontGras. Although there are a variety of Chilean wineries producing this grape, I chose MontGras because in its less then fifteen years of existence, it has been recognized with many awards. In 2002 they were even awarded the title of Best Chilean Producer from the International Wine and Spirit Competition in the U.K.

At approximately $10.00 a bottle, the MontGras Carmenère has an intense red color and pleasantly soft tannins. The nose of this wine is inundated with spices and plentiful earthiness.

Carmenère is an excellent companion to a variety of dishes. Try it with chicken, cheeses, tuna or even any type of pasta and sauce.

Colorado Locals, this wine can be found at
Boulder: Liquor Mart
Denver: Argonaut Wine and Liquors

Tags: Bordeaux wines, Carmenère, Chile, Chilean wineries

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