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 green or grassy and too austere.

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.

Tinta Negra

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

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

Sagrantino

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

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

Red Bordeaux

curated

Carmenère is a Bordeaux variety, and shares the blend’s plush dark fruit.

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

Rosso di Montalcino

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

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

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 green or grassy as the wine you started from.
About as austere as the wine you started from.

Saperavi

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.
Substantially less green or grassy.
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.

Tinta Negra

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

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

Sagrantino

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

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

Red Bordeaux

curated

Carmenère is a Bordeaux variety, and shares the blend’s plush dark fruit.

Expect: Less herbal and more structured, with a longer life.

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 fresher and more acidic.

Different grape, similar feel

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

Tinta Negra

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

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

Sagrantino

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

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

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 fresher and more acidic.

Touriga Nacional

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.

Rondo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Chianti

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

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

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir) scores closest to Chilean Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Rondo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir) scores closest to Chilean Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Grolleau

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

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Amarone della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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 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 more herbal and green.

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 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

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Tawny Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Furmint

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Alsace Pinot Gris

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Sagrantino

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

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

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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 fresher and more acidic.

Similar but fresher

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

Saperavi

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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 fresher and more acidic.

Red Bordeaux

curated

Carmenère is a Bordeaux variety, and shares the blend’s plush dark fruit.

Expect: Less herbal and more structured, with a longer life.

Chianti

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

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

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 more herbal and green.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

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

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 more fruit-driven.

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 more fruit-driven, and riper and less green.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Lambrusco

Lambrusco scores closest to Chilean 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 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 oaky.

Sagrantino

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

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

Touriga Nacional

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 more fruit-driven, and riper and less green.

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

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 more fruit-driven, and riper and less green.

Rondo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

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 more fruit-driven.

Super Tuscan

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Syrah

Syrah 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.

Barbaresco

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

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

Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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 more aromatic.

Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 more aromatic.

Red Bordeaux

curated

Carmenère is a Bordeaux variety, and shares the blend’s plush dark fruit.

Expect: Less herbal and more structured, with a longer life.

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 more fruit-driven.

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Pinot Noir

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

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

Cabernet Franc

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

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

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.

Rioja Gran Reserva

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.

Taurasi

Taurasi 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

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

California Rhône blend

California Rhône blend scores closest to Chilean Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.

Bolgheri

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.

New Zealand Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and 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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, 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 more herbal and green.

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 more herbal and green.

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 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.

Red Bordeaux

curated

Carmenère is a Bordeaux variety, and shares the blend’s plush dark fruit.

Expect: Less herbal and more structured, with a longer life.

New Zealand Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.

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 fruit-driven.

Chianti

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

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

Something more adventurous

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

Tinta Negra

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

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

Sagrantino

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

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

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 fresher and more acidic.

Touriga Nacional

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 Negra

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

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

Sagrantino

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

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

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 fresher and more acidic.

Touriga Nacional

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

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

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

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.

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.