Try Carmenere Wine if You Like Malbec, Merlot, or Bordeaux Blends.
 
Overview of the Carmenere Wine Varietal
Carmenere is a medium-bodied wine with soft tannins. It has complex flavours of red and blue fruit with herbal, smokey and earthy notes.
 
How To Pronounce the grape Carmenere: Car-men-AIR 
 
Why We Like Carmenere Wine

More wine for your buck!
A tasty alternative to Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon

 
Flavours and Aromas of the Carmenere Variety

Fruit: red fruit, raspberry, blackberry
Herbal/Vegetal: tobacco, bell pepper, jalapeño pepper
Other: leather, vanilla, chocolate

 
Where In The World Does the Carmenere Grape Grow?
Old World Carmenere Regions

Bordeaux, France
Italy

New World Carmenere Regions

Chile
China
USA (Washington & California)
Canada

 
Carmenere Wine’s Perfect Food Pairings

roasted vegetables
grilled & roasted meat with herbs
hard cheeses, esp smoked cheese
cured meats, charcuterie

 
Interesting Facts About the Carmenere Varietal
Carmenère has similar features to Merlot as they are both part of the original red grape varieties of Bordeaux. When Carmenère was discovered in Chile they originally thought it was Merlot. Now Chile is the largest grower of Carmenère in the world. It can be distinguished from Merlot because its leaves have a reddish hue in its younger stages and then turn Crimson before they fall. (Carmin means Crimson in French). It also has a longer growing season with a lower yield than Merlot.
 
You Might Also See Carmenere Like this:
Carmenère, Carménère
(but never like this: Carmeñere)
 
Our Favourite Finds for Carmenere Wine
Viña Carmen Gran Reserva Carmenere
Moon Curser Vineyards 2016 Carmenere
 
Like Carmenere? Try A Similar Grape Variety: Merlot

 
Try Albariño / Alvarinho Wine if You Like Chablis or Pinot Grigio. 
 
Overview of Albariño Wine
Light bodied wine with citrus and melon flavours, mineral notes and mouthwatering acidity.
 
How To Pronounce the grape Albariño: Albah-REEN-yō
 
Why We Like Albariño Wine

The Portugal version (Alvarinho) is a less expensive alternative to more known white wines like Pinot Gris, Chablis and Vermentino.
Great pairing for spicy dishes, but also great on its own

 
Flavours and Aromas of the Albariño Variety

Fruit: citrus, stone fruit and melon
Floral: orange blossom
Other: mineral, stone, crushed gravel, salinity

 
Where in the World Does the Albariño Grape Grow?
Old World Albariño Regions

Rias Baixas, Spain
Portugal

New World Albariño Regions

Okanagan Valley, BC
USA (California, New York)
Uruguay

 
Albariño Wine’s Perfect Food Pairings

Light fish and seafood
Thai, Moroccan and Indian cuisine
Fresh vegetables and salads with citrus vinaigrette

 
Interesting Facts About the Albariño Grape:
It was thought to be part of the Riesling family until recent DNA testing proved once and for all that it was a varietal all its own.
 
Other Names for the Albariño Varietal:
Alvarinho, Alvarin Blanco
 
Our Favourite Finds for Albariño Wine

Zarate Balado
Quinta Aveleda Vinho Verde
Terravist Vineyards Albariño

 
Dig Deeper: Learn More About Albariño.
Like Cabernet Sauvignon? Try A Similar Grape Variety: Pecorino or Grüner Veltliner.
 

Tanunda, South Australia, Australia
