This special grape variety seemed to have disappeared from the face of the earth after the phylloxera (grape aphid) crisis that destroyed many vineyards in Europe around 1864. However, the French are rediscovering this grape variety in Chile.
This grape variety had been mistaken here for the Merlot grape for a century. The same French had great success with this grape variety in the 18th and 19th centuries because it was part of the greatest wines of the Medoc, unfortunately Carménère did not return to France after the disaster. In Chile it is the grape variety and the best Carménère comes from nowhere else but Chile.
Carménère wines are rich in taste, full-bodied, soft and lightly spiced with sufficient power. Gastronomically speaking, the Carmenère very suitable for game dishes, spicy pasta dishes and the best steaks. With the winemakers of Panul – Francisco Errazuriz, descendant of one of the most famous Chilean wine families – I enjoy the best steak in the country with a Carménère 2011, it couldn't be more pure. Well and as far as the French pride is concerned: Sarkozy (still) has those, right?
Author: Wietze Snaak / www.josbeeres.nl / HG
Column Wietze Snaak – Jos Beeres Wine Buyer