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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.

← Back to Carmenère

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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.

I like…

The herbal, green side The savoury, meaty side

But it’s a bit…

too soft or too easy too oaky or woody too green or grassy too peppery too savoury or funky too austere

Clear all

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 keeping the herbal, green edge and the savoury, non-fruity character, while moving away from too green or grassy, too peppery, too austere and too savoury or funky.

You said you like the herbal, green edge and that it is too green or grassy. Both are about herbal / green character, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
You said you like the savoury, non-fruity character and that it is too savoury or funky. Both are about savoury character, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
You said you like the savoury, non-fruity character and that it is too savoury or funky. Both are about fruit intensity, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.

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

curated

The two were confused for a century, and share plush texture and plummy dark fruit.

Has noticeably less of the herbal, green edge.
Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less peppery.
About as austere as the wine you started from.
A little less savoury or funky.

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from carmenère, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less peppery.
About as austere as the wine you started from.
A little less savoury or funky.

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has noticeably less of the herbal, green edge.
Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Substantially less green or grassy.
About as peppery as the wine you started from.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has noticeably less of the herbal, green edge.
Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has noticeably less of the herbal, green edge.
Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Rondo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Has noticeably less of the herbal, green edge.
Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has noticeably less of the herbal, green edge.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less austere.
About as savoury or funky 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.

Merlot

curated

The 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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.

Different grape, similar feel

Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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 drier, and more fruit-driven.

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 drier, and more fruit-driven.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.

Cabernet Franc

curated

A shared parent and a shared herbaceous, graphite-tinged character.

Expect: Lighter, higher in acid and more floral.

Dornfelder

Dornfelder 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.

Rondo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.

Grolleau

Grolleau scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.

Dornfelder

Dornfelder scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.

Toro

Toro scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.

Argentine Malbec

Argentine Malbec scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.

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.

Furmint

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more restrained in fruit.

Muscat of Alexandria

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.

Petit Manseng

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Touriga Nacional

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.

Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

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 drier, and less spicy.

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.

Similar but fresher

Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.

Rondo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.

Cabernet Franc

curated

A shared parent and a shared herbaceous, graphite-tinged character.

Expect: Lighter, higher in acid and more floral.

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.

Similar but softer

Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.

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.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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 more fruit-driven.

Merlot

curated

The two were confused for a century, and share plush texture and plummy dark fruit.

Expect: Less herbal and savoury, with softer, rounder fruit.

Toro

Toro scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.

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 Grasparossa

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 drier.

Asti

Asti scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.

Similar but sweeter

Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.

Touriga Nacional

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.

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 riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.

Rondo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.

Bolgheri

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Barossa Shiraz

Barossa Shiraz scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.

Similar but more aromatic

More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.

Cabernet Franc

curated

A shared parent and a shared herbaceous, graphite-tinged character.

Expect: Lighter, higher in acid and more floral.

Malbec

Malbec scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.

Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Muscat Bailey A

Muscat Bailey A scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.

Similar but more restrained

For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

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 drier, and less spicy.

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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 drier, and more fruit-driven.

Merlot

curated

The two were confused for a century, and share plush texture and plummy dark fruit.

Expect: Less herbal and savoury, with softer, rounder fruit.

Similar but more floral

Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.

Cabernet Franc

curated

A shared parent and a shared herbaceous, graphite-tinged character.

Expect: Lighter, higher in acid and more floral.

Argentine Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.

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 drier.

Naoussa Xinomavro

Naoussa Xinomavro scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and drier.

Xinomavro

Xinomavro scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and drier.

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 drier.

Similar but fruitier

More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.

Touriga Nacional

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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 drier.

Bolgheri

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Primitivo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.

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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.

Chilean Carmenère

Both are made from carmenère, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.

Same grape, warmer climate

Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

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 drier, and less spicy.

Chilean Carmenère

Both are made from carmenère, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.

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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.

Merlot

curated

The 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 drier.

Grenache

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Something more adventurous

Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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 drier, and more fruit-driven.

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.

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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 drier, and more fruit-driven.

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.

Ribera del Duero

Ribera del Duero scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.

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.

How these are chosen

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.