Red grape
Carmenère
A deeply colored Bordeaux grape now strongly associated with Chile, usually combining dark plum with a savory herbal or peppery edge.
At a glance
- Dark plum
- Savory green pepper
- Deep color
Recognize it
Deep color with dark plum and a distinct savory green note, such as peppercorn or capsicum. Less-ripe examples can show more of that herbal character.
Similar grapes
Merlot
Similar plum fruit and rounded texture.
Difference Carmenère is more likely to show a savory green-pepper note.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Similar dark fruit and an herbal edge.
Difference Cabernet Sauvignon usually has firmer tannin.