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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 green or grassy, too savoury or funky and too peppery.
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.
Merlot
curatedThe two were confused for a century, and share plush texture and plummy dark fruit.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- A little less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less peppery.
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from carmenère, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- A little less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less peppery.
Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- A little less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less peppery.
Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- A little less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less peppery.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- A little less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less peppery.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- A little less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less peppery.
Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- A little less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less peppery.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less peppery.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
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.
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from carmenère, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
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.
Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
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.
Rondo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Valpolicella
Valpolicella scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Cabernet Franc
curatedA shared parent and a shared herbaceous, graphite-tinged character.
Expect: Lighter, higher in acid and more floral.
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.
Rondo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.
Cru Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Valpolicella
Valpolicella scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Beaujolais
Beaujolais scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Toro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Pedro Ximénez
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Chilean Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Coteaux du Layon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from carmenère, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
Toro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Pedro Ximénez
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Marsanne
Marsanne scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more restrained in fruit.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
Viognier
Viognier scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Sparkling Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
Asti
Asti scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Tinta Barroca
Tinta Barroca scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
Touriga Franca
Touriga Franca scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
Rondo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.
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.
Rondo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.
Bobal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Castelão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Refosco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Barossa Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Gamay
Gamay scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Cabernet Franc
curatedA shared parent and a shared herbaceous, graphite-tinged character.
Expect: Lighter, higher in acid and more floral.
Morgon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
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.
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from carmenère, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
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.
Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
Bierzo Mencía
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
Gamay
Gamay scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
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 more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and riper and less green.
Naoussa Xinomavro
Naoussa Xinomavro scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and riper and less green.
Xinomavro
Xinomavro scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and riper and less green.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Toro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
Change the place
Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from carmenère, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
Chilean Carmenère
Both are made from carmenère, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
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.
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from carmenère, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
Chilean Carmenère
Both are made from carmenère, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
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.
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from carmenère, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
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.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
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.
Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Ribera del Duero
Ribera del Duero scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Priorat
Priorat scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
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.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Châteauneuf-du-Pape scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more savoury.
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.