If you like this, try…

Wines like Chilean Carmenère

Chile’s signature variety: plush dark fruit with a savoury green-peppercorn and soy character, from a grape mistaken for Merlot for a century. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

← Back to Chilean Carmenère

Refine

What do you like about Chilean 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 austere and too peppery.

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.

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 austere.
Substantially less peppery.

Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Chianti Classico

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Keeps the herbal, green edge.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
About as austere as the wine you started from.
Substantially less peppery.

Carmenère

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

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

Rosso di Montalcino

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from carmenère, and 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.
About as austere as the wine you started from.
Substantially less peppery.

Chianti

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Chianti Classico

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Carmenère

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 spicier.

Different grape, similar feel

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

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Chianti Classico

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Rosso di Montalcino

Both sit in the same style family.

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

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.

Tibouren

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

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

Loire Cabernet Franc

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

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

Rondo

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

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

Cabernet Franc

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

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

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.

Loire Cabernet Franc

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

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

Rondo

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

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

Cabernet Franc

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

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

Tibouren

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

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Super Tuscan

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

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

Priorat

Priorat scores closest to Chilean 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

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Carmenère

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 spicier.

Tibouren

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

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Chianti Classico

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

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

Rosso di Montalcino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Similar but fresher

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

Chianti Classico

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Rosso di Montalcino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Chianti

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Loire Cabernet Franc

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

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.

Carmenère

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 spicier.

Tinta Barroca

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

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Languedoc red

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

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 Chilean Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Lambrusco

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

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

Franciacorta

Franciacorta scores closest to Chilean Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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 Negra

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

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

Sagrantino

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

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

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.

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Rondo

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

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

Tibouren

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

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

Tinta Barroca

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

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Super Tuscan

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

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

Pinotage

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

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

Bolgheri

Bolgheri scores closest to Chilean Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Similar but more aromatic

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

Cabernet Franc

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

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

Barbaresco

Barbaresco scores closest to Chilean Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Nebbiolo

Nebbiolo scores closest to Chilean Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Similar but more restrained

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

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Chianti Classico

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Carmenère

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 spicier.

Similar but more floral

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

Cabernet Franc

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

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

Loire Cabernet Franc

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

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

Touriga Franca

Touriga Franca scores closest to Chilean Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Argentine Cabernet Franc

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

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

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Naoussa Xinomavro

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Xinomavro

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

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

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione scores closest to Chilean 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

Touriga Nacional scores closest to Chilean Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Bolgheri

Bolgheri scores closest to Chilean Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.

New Zealand Pinot Noir

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.

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 both come from the same country.

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

Carmenère

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 spicier.

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Carmenère

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 spicier.

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

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.

Chianti Classico

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Chianti

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Cabernet Franc

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

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

Something more adventurous

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

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Carmenère

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 spicier.

Rosso di Montalcino

Both sit in the same style family.

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

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 Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Carmenère

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 spicier.

Rosso di Montalcino

Both sit in the same style family.

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

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 Chilean Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Ribera del Duero

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

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

Priorat

Priorat scores closest to Chilean Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

Amarone della Valpolicella scores closest to Chilean Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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