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

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.

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.

Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends

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

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

Chilean Carmenère

Both are made from carmenère, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Keeps the herbal, green edge.
About as green or grassy as the wine you started from.

Merlot

curated

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

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

Rosso di Montalcino

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

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

Red Bordeaux

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

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

Sangiovese

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

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

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.

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

New Zealand Pinot Noir

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

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

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.

Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends

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

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

Chilean Carmenère

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 more herbal and green.

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.

Rosso di Montalcino

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

Different grape, similar feel

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

Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends

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

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

Rosso di Montalcino

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

Red Bordeaux

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and earthier.

Sangiovese

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher and more acidic.

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.

Cabernet Franc

curated

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

Expect: Lighter, higher in acid and more floral.

Chianti

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher and more acidic.

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Loire Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cabernet Franc

curated

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

Expect: Lighter, higher in acid and more floral.

Loire Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and fruitier.

Super Tuscan

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

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

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Priorat

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.

Tawny Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Grüner Veltliner

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less tannic and softer.

White Bordeaux

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends

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

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

Rosso di Montalcino

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

Red Bordeaux

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and earthier.

Sangiovese

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher and more acidic.

Similar but fresher

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

Red Bordeaux

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and earthier.

Rosso di Montalcino

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less spicy.

Sangiovese

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher and more acidic.

Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends

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

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

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.

Chilean Carmenère

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 more herbal and green, and fresher and more acidic.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and fruitier.

Grenache

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

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

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, 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

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

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

Lambrusco

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

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Franciacorta

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Tawny Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Saperavi

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Rosso di Montalcino

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more oaky.

Chianti

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher and more acidic.

Cornalin

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Broad-leaved Melnik

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Super Tuscan

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

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

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Bolgheri

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Ribera del Duero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more aromatic

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

Syrah

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Cabernet Franc

curated

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

Expect: Lighter, higher in acid and more floral.

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more restrained

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

Franken Silvaner

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less tannic and softer.

Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends

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

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less spicy.

Chilean Carmenère

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 more herbal and green, and more aromatic.

Rosso di Montalcino

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

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher and more acidic.

Similar but more floral

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

Cabernet Franc

curated

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

Expect: Lighter, higher in acid and more floral.

Argentine Cabernet Franc

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

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

Bierzo Mencía

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

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

Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more savoury

Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.

Chianti Classico Riserva

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.

Rioja Gran Reserva

Rioja Gran Reserva scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Taurasi

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

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

Barolo

Barolo 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.

California Rhône blend

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Bolgheri

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

New Zealand Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and earthier.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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 more fruit-driven, and fuller and richer.

Chilean Carmenère

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 more herbal and green, and fuller and richer.

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Chilean Carmenère

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 more herbal and green, and lighter.

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 more fruit-driven, and fresher and more acidic.

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.

Red Bordeaux

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and earthier.

Sangiovese

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher and more acidic.

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 more fruit-driven, and less spicy.

New Zealand Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and earthier.

Something more adventurous

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

Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends

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

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

Chilean Carmenère

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 more herbal and green.

Rosso di Montalcino

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

Languedoc red

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

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and earthier.

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.

Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends

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

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

Chilean Carmenère

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 more herbal and green.

Rosso di Montalcino

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

Languedoc red

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

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and earthier.

A step up

The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and fruitier.

Ribera del Duero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.

Priorat

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.