If you like this, try…
Wines like Carmenère
A Bordeaux variety that nearly vanished in France and was rediscovered in Chile, where it had been mistaken for Merlot for a century. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Carmenère?
Optional — the results below already work without it. But “I like Malbec” is at least four different preferences wearing one name, and saying which one you mean changes the answer substantially. Only qualities this wine actually has are offered.
What these words mean
- How smooth and soft it is
- Low tannin. Tannin is the drying, gum-gripping sensation in red wine — like strong tea. A smooth red has little of it.
- The vanilla and oak
- Vanilla, toast, coconut, sweet spice, sometimes smoke. It comes from the barrel rather than the grape, which is why the same grape can taste completely different with and without it.
- The herbal, green side
- Grass, blackcurrant leaf, green pepper, mint. It divides people more sharply than almost any other character.
- The spice
- Black pepper, clove, cinnamon. Some of it is the grape — the pepper in Syrah is a measured compound called rotundone — and some is the barrel.
- The savoury, meaty side
- Leather, olive, cured meat, dried herbs, tobacco. It is what people mean by calling a wine "serious" rather than "fruity", and it comes with age as well as with place.
- That it is properly dry
- No perceptible sugar at all. Almost all red wine is dry and a good deal of white wine is not, which is why this is a more useful thing to say about a white than about a red.
Looking for something moving away from too austere, too peppery, too green or grassy and too oaky or woody.
Based on what you said
Ranked against the qualities you named rather than against the wine as a whole. The directions below are refined the same way.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- A little less oaky or woody.
Rondo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- A little less oaky or woody.
Merlot
curatedThe two were confused for a century, and share plush texture and plummy dark fruit.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Change the structure
Same idea, different weight, grip or freshness.
Similar but lighter
Keeps the character but reduces weight, alcohol and density in the mouth.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Rondo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Portugieser
Portugieser scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Similar but lower in alcohol
Holds the character and the weight where it can, and moves specifically on strength. Note that below about 11% the choices narrow sharply, and below 5% they are mostly a different category rather than a lighter version of the same one.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Rondo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Grolleau
Grolleau scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Toro
Toro scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Primitivo
Primitivo scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Amarone della Valpolicella scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Barbera d’Alba
Barbera d’Alba scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Vidal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Muscat of Alexandria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Hárslevelű
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Rondo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Muscat of Alexandria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Pedro Ximénez
Pedro Ximénez scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and riper and less green.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Merlot
curatedThe two were confused for a century, and share plush texture and plummy dark fruit.
Expect: Less herbal and savoury, with softer, rounder fruit.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Sparkling Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Franciacorta
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but less oaky
One of the commonest requests in wine. Strips oak influence while holding grape character and weight.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
California Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and riper and less green.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
Pinotage
Pinotage scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and riper and less green.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Cabernet Franc
curatedA shared parent and a shared herbaceous, graphite-tinged character.
Expect: Lighter, higher in acid and more floral.
Gamay
Gamay scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Trebbiano Toscano
Trebbiano Toscano scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Cabernet Franc
curatedA shared parent and a shared herbaceous, graphite-tinged character.
Expect: Lighter, higher in acid and more floral.
Gamay
Gamay scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Dornfelder
Dornfelder scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Chianti Classico Riserva
Chianti Classico Riserva scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Naoussa Xinomavro
Naoussa Xinomavro scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Xinomavro
Xinomavro scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
California Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and riper and less green.
Primitivo
Primitivo scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Barbera d’Alba
Barbera d’Alba scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Change the place
Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Nothing in WineHQ's catalogue makes this move meaningfully from here. These are the closest wines otherwise, but do not expect them to deliver what you asked for — the honest answer is that this style does not have a good neighbour in that direction.
Change the mood
Safer, stranger, cheaper or more serious.
A safe next step
Well-known wines that are widely available and unlikely to surprise anyone.
Chianti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from carmenère, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Merlot
curatedThe two were confused for a century, and share plush texture and plummy dark fruit.
Expect: Less herbal and savoury, with softer, rounder fruit.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
A better-value alternative
Wines that occupy similar sensory territory from regions carrying less price premium. WineHQ does not hold live prices, so this reasons from regional reputation and demand rather than from a price feed — treat it as a lead, not a quote.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Amarone della Valpolicella scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Priorat
Priorat scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Châteauneuf-du-Pape scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Ribera del Duero
Ribera del Duero scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Each suggestion is scored across sixteen taste dimensions, weighted so that structure matters more than flavour, and adjusted for whether the wine actually moves in the direction you asked for. Curated links from an editor carry extra weight — but only when the editor tagged them for this direction. Nothing here is a black box; see the taste model for the full method.