Carmenere is a grape varietal that was once widely planted in Bordeaux, but is now associated primarily with Chile (imported to the country around 1850. How did Carmenere travel from France to Chile? French wine makers came to Chile when phylloxera hit France and destroyed their vineyards. Chile has not suffered from phylloxera because of the flood irrigation provided by the Andes mountains.
Chile’s many wine regions (Maipo Valley, Casablanca Valley, Rapel, Bio Bio, Maule, Itata, Rapel, Curico, Aconagua) are planted with 75% red grapes including Cabernet Sauvignon, Camernere (mistaken for Merlot), Merlot, and Pais. The white varietals are Chardonnay and Sauvignon Vert (that is often confused with Sauvignon Blanc). Casablanca Valley is known for its Chardonnay while Maipo Valley is know for its Cabernet Sauvignon.
A couple Carmeneres I would recommend:
- Casa Silva, Carmenere, 2012
- Santa Carolina, Carmenere, 2010
Carmenere pairs well with tapas like:
- Patatas bravas with a spicy tomato cream sauce
- Piquillo peppers stuffed with cashew cream
- Curried lentils with saffron rice
- Sweet potato hummus with paprika
- Artichoke, leek and mushroom crostini
- Stuffed mushrooms with garlic, fennel, oregano, rosemary & veggie crumbles
- Olive Tapenade with thyme and marjoram
