Carmenere from Chile to the world
Carmenere the origin is French, specifically Bordeaux. But it is in Chile where he met his best soil and climate. The world owes us Carmenere and it must be said clearly.
Let us start from the beginning. during The conquest were the Spanish came and who brought to Chile grapes to produce wine that they need daily, as there was not in the Americas.
Carmenere grapes were introduced in Chile in late 1830.
The grapes used was the mision (also called Pais )which is great, very juicy and delivering high volume. So today is still present as the second most planted variety, but with a shrinking horizon. Now, after our independence, no longer wanted "nothing" of the Spanish and that is why many put their eyes on France and Bordeaux specifically. This influence was enlarged by Claudio Gay, who at the end of 1830 different planted nobles of France varities in the Quinta Normal now know as central valley
like this in Chile began to replace the old Spanish vines by new and noble french vines. Among the varieties that were brought Carmenere was that from the beginning was confused with Merlot. No idea how that could have happened because if we look at the grape vine, the leaves can say clearly that is different.
Pfylloxera came to Europe and devastated the whole world except Chile and some small parts of the world (Portugal Cyprus and some others). The French were able to survive and live with this bug using American roots grafted varieties where they use. Carmenere did not work well and set aside slowly disappearing from the French map and the world. It is then that category Merlot rises and begins to become known making big and delicious wines in the "right of Bordeaux".
Back to Chile
In the late 70's and 80's mainly in the last century, many said he had "Merlot and Merlot Merlot" referring to the second truth. It's like the expression "coffee coffee", but carried the wine. Many thought that Merlot had adapted to the land of this beautiful country. But in 1991 Claude Valat, French ampelographic (student of the leaves), questioned the Merlot from Chile.
That doubt was quickly put in the trunk of forgetfulness because consumption was exploding Merlot and Chile began its golden decade (exports). Claude never forgot and mentioned it to his colleague Jean Michel Boursiquot just before he visited the country throughout the world.
November 24, 1994. Alvaro Espinoza, one of the best and brightest winemakers in Chile, was a little confused with a vineyard of Merlot I had in High Jahuel, Valle del Maipo. It was that day that Jean Michel said those words that changed the Chilean wine: "This is not Merlot, is Carmenere ." Nobody knew what he was talking about. So much so that many books took over 100 years to try to understand what this outstanding ampelographic had said. It was these books that taught us the first steps of how winemakers make wine because they had been living ever worked with this variety.
We now know that Carmenere is the cousin of Cabernet Sauvignon. It is close, but has notable differences. The tannins (see note roast) are velvety, are sweeter and its fruit is more mature than Cabernet. Its acidity is lower and if it is mature well delicious spicy notes. Why? Let the vineyard: Carmenere has a very thick film, therefore, mature slower than any other variety. Because this requires a lot of foliage (leaves) in order to protect the grapes and a very long period. Carmenere is why it is best in fertile soil. This makes it possible to produce enough "green protectionism". The beauty comes next. Its leaves turn a beautiful crimson mid-April in his final weeks valleys coloring almost like the desert in bloom.
Once the harvest is ripe tannins and that generally happens in May. That would be like for France in November, the month where the rain and making it impossible to fully enter the correct level of maturity. In central Chile, from Buin to Chillán, the summer weather and the almost total absence of rain fall, allow them to grow properly. Due to how late harvest naturally produced less acid and more sugar so sweet tannins.
Chile has pushed a variety Carmenere because it is different, special and noble. But be clear, is not the most widely planted variety and variety that makes us shine. That seat is also known Cabernet Sauvignon or the king of the reds. Carmenere gives this differentiation and this means that Chile has something more to offer. Initially the wines were bad straight green. Now with the know-how of 17 years and can say it is entertaining, special, different and promising. Many exponents have received very good comments and scores. Has gradually come to success and thanks to that other countries have already introduced their valleys but Chile will always be "one step beyond" because it was here where he rediscovered and then we can say that the world owes us wine that touch special.
Let us start from the beginning. during The conquest were the Spanish came and who brought to Chile grapes to produce wine that they need daily, as there was not in the Americas.
Carmenere grapes were introduced in Chile in late 1830.
The grapes used was the mision (also called Pais )which is great, very juicy and delivering high volume. So today is still present as the second most planted variety, but with a shrinking horizon. Now, after our independence, no longer wanted "nothing" of the Spanish and that is why many put their eyes on France and Bordeaux specifically. This influence was enlarged by Claudio Gay, who at the end of 1830 different planted nobles of France varities in the Quinta Normal now know as central valley
like this in Chile began to replace the old Spanish vines by new and noble french vines. Among the varieties that were brought Carmenere was that from the beginning was confused with Merlot. No idea how that could have happened because if we look at the grape vine, the leaves can say clearly that is different.
Pfylloxera came to Europe and devastated the whole world except Chile and some small parts of the world (Portugal Cyprus and some others). The French were able to survive and live with this bug using American roots grafted varieties where they use. Carmenere did not work well and set aside slowly disappearing from the French map and the world. It is then that category Merlot rises and begins to become known making big and delicious wines in the "right of Bordeaux".
Back to Chile
In the late 70's and 80's mainly in the last century, many said he had "Merlot and Merlot Merlot" referring to the second truth. It's like the expression "coffee coffee", but carried the wine. Many thought that Merlot had adapted to the land of this beautiful country. But in 1991 Claude Valat, French ampelographic (student of the leaves), questioned the Merlot from Chile.
That doubt was quickly put in the trunk of forgetfulness because consumption was exploding Merlot and Chile began its golden decade (exports). Claude never forgot and mentioned it to his colleague Jean Michel Boursiquot just before he visited the country throughout the world.
November 24, 1994. Alvaro Espinoza, one of the best and brightest winemakers in Chile, was a little confused with a vineyard of Merlot I had in High Jahuel, Valle del Maipo. It was that day that Jean Michel said those words that changed the Chilean wine: "This is not Merlot, is Carmenere ." Nobody knew what he was talking about. So much so that many books took over 100 years to try to understand what this outstanding ampelographic had said. It was these books that taught us the first steps of how winemakers make wine because they had been living ever worked with this variety.
We now know that Carmenere is the cousin of Cabernet Sauvignon. It is close, but has notable differences. The tannins (see note roast) are velvety, are sweeter and its fruit is more mature than Cabernet. Its acidity is lower and if it is mature well delicious spicy notes. Why? Let the vineyard: Carmenere has a very thick film, therefore, mature slower than any other variety. Because this requires a lot of foliage (leaves) in order to protect the grapes and a very long period. Carmenere is why it is best in fertile soil. This makes it possible to produce enough "green protectionism". The beauty comes next. Its leaves turn a beautiful crimson mid-April in his final weeks valleys coloring almost like the desert in bloom.
Carmenere vineyards mature more slowly than any other variety.
Chile has pushed a variety Carmenere because it is different, special and noble. But be clear, is not the most widely planted variety and variety that makes us shine. That seat is also known Cabernet Sauvignon or the king of the reds. Carmenere gives this differentiation and this means that Chile has something more to offer. Initially the wines were bad straight green. Now with the know-how of 17 years and can say it is entertaining, special, different and promising. Many exponents have received very good comments and scores. Has gradually come to success and thanks to that other countries have already introduced their valleys but Chile will always be "one step beyond" because it was here where he rediscovered and then we can say that the world owes us wine that touch special.
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