Comparison
Chilean Carmenère vs Naoussa Xinomavro
How Chilean Carmenère and Naoussa Xinomavro differ, dimension by dimension.
The short answer
The main differences: Chilean Carmenère has more herbal / green character; Naoussa Xinomavro has more earthy character; Naoussa Xinomavro has more acidity.
Choose
Chilean Carmenère
Choose Chilean Carmenère if you want something more herbal and green, spicier.
Choose
Naoussa Xinomavro
Choose Naoussa Xinomavro if you want something earthier, fresher and more acidic, more tannic and structured.
Where they genuinely differ
Only differences large enough to notice in the glass are listed here. A gap of half a point on a five-point scale is noise, and WineHQ does not dress it up as a finding.
Herbal / green character
Clear differenceHerbs, grass, blackcurrant leaf, capsicum and other green notes, largely driven by methoxypyrazines and picking decisions.
Chilean Carmenère is more herbal and green: medium-plus against low.
Earthy character
Clear differenceForest floor, mushroom, wet stone, clay and undergrowth notes. Frequently, though not exclusively, associated with cooler and more traditional styles.
Naoussa Xinomavro is earthier: medium-plus against low.
Acidity
Clear differenceTotal perceived acidity. Rises in cooler climates and with earlier picking; falls with heat and ripeness.
Naoussa Xinomavro is fresher and more acidic: high against medium.
Tannin
Clear differencePhenolic compounds from grape skins, seeds, stems and oak. The principal structural axis of red wine.
Naoussa Xinomavro is more tannic and structured: high against medium.
Floral character
Clear differenceBlossom, rose, violet, elderflower, acacia and related aromatic notes.
Naoussa Xinomavro is more floral: medium against low.
Spice
Clear differencePepper, clove, cinnamon and related spice notes, whether from the grape (as with rotundone in Syrah) or from oak.
Chilean Carmenère is spicier: medium against low.
Where they are much the same
Just as useful: knowing which parts of the choice do not matter.
- Sweetness: Similar — both low.
- Alcohol: Similar — both medium-plus.
- Aromatic intensity: Similar — both medium.
- Oak influence: Similar — both medium.
- Carbonation: Similar — both low.
Full side by side
| Dimension | Chilean Carmenère | Naoussa Xinomavro |
|---|---|---|
| Herbal / green character | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) | low (1/5) |
| Earthy character | low (1/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Acidity | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) |
| Tannin | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) |
| Floral character | low (1/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Spice | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | low (1/5) |
| Perceived freshness | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium (3/5) | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) |
| Body | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Fruit intensity | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Savoury character | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) |
| Texture | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium (3/5) |
| Sweetness | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Alcohol | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Aromatic intensity | medium (3/5) | medium (3/5) |
| Oak influence | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium, ranging from low to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Carbonation | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Serve at | 15–17°C | 16–18°C |
| Typical flavours | black plum, green peppercorn, soy, bell pepper, cocoa | sun-dried tomato, olive, red cherry, dried herbs, leather |
Values are typical points within each wine’s range. Both wines vary — see the individual pages for how much.
Read more
Style
Chilean Carmenère
Chile’s signature variety: plush dark fruit with a savoury green-peppercorn and soy character, from a grape mistaken for Merlot for a century.
Style
Naoussa Xinomavro
Pale, austere, ferociously tannic northern Greek red scented of dried tomato and olive — the closest thing to Barolo outside Piedmont.