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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 savoury or funky and too austere.

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.

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Southern Rhône blend

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from carmenère, and 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.
A little less savoury or funky.
About as austere as the wine you started from.

Cabernet Franc

curated

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

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

Rondo

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

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

Chilean Carmenère

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

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Keeps the herbal, green edge.
About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
About as austere 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.
A little less savoury or funky.
About as austere as the wine you started from.

California Rhône blend

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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 savoury or funky.
About as austere 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.

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Southern Rhône blend

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Cabernet Franc

curated

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

Expect: Lighter, higher in acid and more floral.

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 more floral.

Southern Rhône blend

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Rondo

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

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

California Rhône blend

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Rondo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Loire Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Tibouren

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

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

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

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

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

Loire Cabernet Franc

Loire Cabernet Franc scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Cabernet Franc

curated

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

Expect: Lighter, higher in acid and more floral.

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.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Châteauneuf-du-Pape scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Primitivo di Manduria

Primitivo di Manduria scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 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.

Southern Rhône blend

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Tinta Negra

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

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

Tibouren

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

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

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 floral.

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 riper and less green.

Sagrantino

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

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

Bolgheri

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fresher

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

Cabernet Franc

curated

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

Expect: Lighter, higher in acid and more floral.

Rondo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Loire Cabernet Franc

Loire Cabernet Franc scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Châteauneuf-du-Pape scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Southern Rhône blend

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Primitivo di Manduria

Primitivo di Manduria scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 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

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

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.

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Touriga Nacional

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

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

Sparkling Shiraz

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

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

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.

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 drier, and more fruit-driven.

Tinta Barroca

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 more fruit-driven.

Tinta Negra

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

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

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Bolgheri

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Super Tuscan

Super Tuscan scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Pinotage

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

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

Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Malbec

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

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

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.

Southern Rhône blend

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Rondo

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

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

Chilean Carmenère

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

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

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 Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Loire Cabernet Franc

Loire Cabernet Franc scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

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.

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.

Cabernet Franc

curated

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

Expect: Lighter, higher in acid and more floral.

Southern Rhône blend

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Chianti Classico

Chianti Classico scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

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 floral.

California Rhône blend

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Bolgheri

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Zinfandel

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 riper and less green.

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 Carmenère

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

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

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.

Southern Rhône blend

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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 more savoury.

Grenache

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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.

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Rondo

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

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

Chilean Carmenère

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

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

California Rhône blend

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 more floral.

Rondo

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

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

Chilean Carmenère

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

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

California Rhône blend

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

A step up

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Châteauneuf-du-Pape scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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 drier.

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.

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.