Similar to Malbec, Carmenère has its feet in two countries – in France’s southwest as well as in Chile, where it is its flagship red. Though it features very little in today’s Bordeaux blends, in the 18th century it was widely cultivated and very well reputed. Similar to Cabernet Franc,
it can have more vegetal, leafy characteristics which add lift and freshness to a blend (Château Brane Cantenac has recently re-added it to their vineyards as a way to work with climate change). In Chile, it was long confused with Merlot but today produces some of their most sought after reds.
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