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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, while moving away from too oaky or woody, too savoury or funky, too green or grassy, too austere and too peppery.

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

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less peppery.

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
A little less oaky or woody.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less peppery.

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Rondo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Tinto Cão

Tinto Cão scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
A little less savoury or funky.
Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less austere.
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

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.

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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.

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.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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.

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Cabernet Franc

curated

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

Expect: Lighter, higher in acid and more floral.

Muscat Bailey A

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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.

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.

Grolleau

Grolleau 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.

Toro

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

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

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Argentine Malbec

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

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

McLaren Vale Shiraz 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.

Pedro Ximénez

Pedro Ximénez scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Muscat of Alexandria

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Petit Manseng

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.

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Tinto Cão

Tinto Cão scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Similar but fresher

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

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.

Cabernet Franc

curated

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

Expect: Lighter, higher in acid and more floral.

Tinto Cão

Tinto Cão scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Similar but softer

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

Pedro Ximénez

Pedro Ximénez scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Muscat of Alexandria

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Condrieu

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Viognier

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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

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

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

Lambrusco

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

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

English sparkling rosé

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.

Tinta Barroca

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.

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 more restrained in fruit.

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.

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.

Tinta Negra

Tinta Negra scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Tinto Cão

Tinto Cão 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.

Barossa Shiraz

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

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

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.

Cabernet Franc

curated

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

Expect: Lighter, higher in acid and more floral.

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.

Gamay

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

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

Morgon

Morgon 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.

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.

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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.

Rondo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

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

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Gamay

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

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

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 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

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barbera d’Alba

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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.

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 more oaky.

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 more oaky.

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 more oaky.

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.

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.

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.

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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.

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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.

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

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.