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.
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.
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 oaky or woody, 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.
Southern Rhône blend
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the herbal, green edge.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- A little less savoury or funky.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
Loire Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the herbal, green edge.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- A little less savoury or funky.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
Montsant
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.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- A little less savoury or funky.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
Rondo
Rondo scores closest to Chilean Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
- Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
- Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less austere.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- Has noticeably less of the herbal, green edge.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- A little less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less austere.
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.
- About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less austere.
Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- A little less savoury or funky.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
Tinta Barroca
Tinta Barroca scores closest to Chilean Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
- Has noticeably less of the herbal, green edge.
- Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less austere.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Southern Rhône blend
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Loire Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Montsant
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.
Rondo
Rondo scores closest to Chilean Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.
Southern Rhône blend
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Loire Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Montsant
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.
Rondo
Rondo scores closest to Chilean Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
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.
Loire Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Rondo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
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 Chilean 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.
Loire Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Rondo
Rondo scores closest to Chilean Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Chilean Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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 oaky.
Primitivo di Manduria
Primitivo di Manduria scores closest to Chilean Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
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 drier.
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
Tinta Negra scores closest to Chilean Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Tibouren
Tibouren scores closest to Chilean Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Southern Rhône blend
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
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.
Montsant
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.
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.
Sagrantino
Sagrantino scores closest to Chilean Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Loire Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Rondo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Southern Rhône blend
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
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 less oaky.
Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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 Chilean Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Chilean Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Southern Rhône blend
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stiller.
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.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
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
Rondo scores closest to Chilean Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Tinta Barroca
Tinta Barroca scores closest to Chilean Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Loire Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Southern Rhône blend
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Chilean Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
Bolgheri
Bolgheri scores closest to Chilean Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
California Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Chilean Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and riper and less green.
Super Tuscan
Super Tuscan scores closest to Chilean 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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Muscat Bailey A
Muscat Bailey A scores closest to Chilean Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Gamay
Gamay scores closest to Chilean 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.
Southern Rhône blend
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Montsant
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.
Rondo
Rondo scores closest to Chilean Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Loire Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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 more oaky.
Bierzo Mencía
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and drier.
Naoussa Xinomavro
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and drier.
Xinomavro
Xinomavro scores closest to Chilean Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and drier.
Taurasi
Taurasi scores closest to Chilean 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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
California Rhône blend
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel scores closest to Chilean Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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 more oaky.
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.
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.
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, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Cabernet Franc
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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Loire Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Montsant
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.
Rondo
Rondo scores closest to Chilean Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
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.
Loire Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Montsant
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.
Rondo
Rondo scores closest to Chilean Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
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 drier.
Priorat
Priorat scores closest to Chilean Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Ribera del Duero
Ribera del Duero scores closest to Chilean Carmenère across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
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.