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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 savoury or funky, too green or grassy and too soft or too easy.
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.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- A little less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less soft or too easy.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less soft or too easy.
Petite Sirah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less soft or too easy.
Bolgheri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- A little less soft or too easy.
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from carmenère, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
- A little less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- A little less soft or too easy.
Petit Verdot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- A little less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less soft or too easy.
Toro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- A little less soft or too easy.
Merlot
curatedThe two were confused for a century, and share plush texture and plummy dark fruit.
- A little less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- About as soft or too easy 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.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Petite Sirah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
Bolgheri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Petite Sirah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
Bolgheri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less tannic and softer.
Mondeuse Noire
Mondeuse Noire scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less tannic and softer.
Colorino
Colorino scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less tannic and softer.
Fer Servadou
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more fruit-driven.
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.
Mondeuse Noire
Mondeuse Noire scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less tannic and softer.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less tannic and softer.
Fer Servadou
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more fruit-driven.
Rondo
Rondo scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, 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 rounder and creamier in texture, and riper and less green.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Petite Sirah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
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 less tannic and softer, and riper and less green.
Toro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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 rounder and creamier in texture.
Petite Sirah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Toro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Blaufränkisch
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less tannic and softer.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less tannic and softer.
Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Refosco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less tannic and softer.
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.
Toro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and riper and less green.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
McLaren Vale Shiraz scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and riper and less green.
Barossa Shiraz
Barossa Shiraz scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, 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 less tannic and softer, and riper and less green.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and riper and less green.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and riper and less green.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Vintage Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Port
Port scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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.
Nero di Troia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less tannic and softer.
Bobal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less tannic and softer.
Refosco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less tannic and softer.
Mondeuse Noire
Mondeuse Noire scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less tannic and softer.
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 rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Bolgheri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Barossa Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more restrained in fruit.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more restrained in fruit.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less tannic and softer.
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.
Petite Sirah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
Bolgheri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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 less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Toro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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 rounder and creamier in texture.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less tannic and softer.
Petit Verdot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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 savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
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.
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.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Petite Sirah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
Bolgheri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Toro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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 less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Chilean Carmenère
Both are made from carmenère, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more savoury.
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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.
Chilean Carmenère
Both are made from carmenère, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, 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.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in 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 less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
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 rounder and creamier in texture.
Petite Sirah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
Bolgheri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Petit Verdot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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 rounder and creamier in texture.
Petite Sirah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
Bolgheri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Petit Verdot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Priorat
Priorat scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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.
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 rounder and creamier in texture.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Châteauneuf-du-Pape scores closest to Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
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.