The Carmenère is a grape variety originally from Bordeaux, France, that was used as part of the great Bordeaux wine blends. It is said that this rare variety was raised in Médoc at the beginning of the 18th century, but its vigorous and miserly production rendered it unpopular.

In the middle of the 19th century, in 1850, the Carmenère variety almost disappeared from Europe due to the philoxera crisis. The philoxera is a voracious vine devouring insect, originally from North American that has always lived together with American vines without causing any injures.

In approximately 1850, with no prior knowledge, French viticulturists introduced these infected vines carrying the insect in France. The philoxera began to spread out slowly but inevitably, first in France, then in Spain, and in Italy and its devastating epidemic attack destroyed Carmenère vines not only in Europe but in the rest of the world nearly eradicating the variety for good, and causing the greatest damages in agriculture known so far.


The first vines were planted in Chile in 1548. During the second half of the 19th century the local wine industry evolved thanks to the visionary viticultor Silvestre Ochagavía E. who substituted the old Spanish vines for French varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Cot, Merlot, Pinot and Carmenère.

It is believed that since its arrival to Chile, the vine was confused with the Merlot as they were planted together.

More than three centuries passed before Carmenère was identified in Chile. In 1993, Mr. Jean Michel Boursiquot, ampelographist (Ampelography is the science of description and identification of wine varieties) professor at the Montpellier University, visited Chile at the request of Mr. Claude Valat, also a teacher at that same school, who detected the presence of a rare vine in Chilean Merlot vineyards.

Along with Chilean winemaker Mr. Philippo Pszcolkowski, they discovered that in the Carmen de Alto vineyards the Merlot was not Merlot after all and neither was the Cabernet Franc, as many had speculated. "This is Carmenère" they said in unison. And that is how the history was rewritten.

Therefore it was concluded that the grape had managed to escape unharmed, along with the first imported vines that came to Chile in the 19th century.

The Carmenère grape is characterized by its colour, derived from its name: crimson, a particularly intense red. It is a kind red of soft tannins. In its aromas there is great expression, from the tones of green pepper to ripe fruit notes (raspberry, blueberry, cherry and plum), as well as coffee and chocolate. In palate, the wine is soft, with great concentration and a long powerful finish.

The Carmenère vine benefits from our warm climate, of long summers because it likes to mature late, at the end of April and in May. In the vineyard, it requires a special care as it tends to develop more leaves than clusters, which is manifested in the accent of its green side, pepper notes and vegetable flavor. This is why the vine has to be managed correctly in order to control its vigor and the exact moment of grape cutting, which is generally in April, after the Cabernet Sauvignon.

Since the 'rediscovery' of this variety, Viña MontGras bought and planted it as Carmenère. As an innovative company, Viña MontGras felt that it would be a great advantage to produce a new wine unique to Chile, and due to its low acidity, blended it with Cabernet Sauvignon granting more structure and firmer tannins.

It is worth noting that it was shocking to discover that in Chile, a portion of the plantations that were assumed to be Merlot, were in fact another practically unknown variety named "Carmenère".

When Chilean producers realized that what they were selling was not Merlot, as clearly labeled, winds of panic arose. First, the tendency was to bury "the case" in order to avoid scandal, and possible commercial problems.

But soon thereafter, some producers, among them, MontGras, decided to convert adversity into advantage, and granted Carmenère the noble roots it needed to rank among other noble vines and to develop it as a unique proposition from Chile.

Viña MontGras has had harvested this variety since 1997 and is one of the most experienced Chilean wineries in the area of its viticulture and winemaking.

Carmenère is one of the most awarded and enjoyed by MontGras costumers.
MontGras Carmenère Reserva.


Carmenère is quickly consumed, and satisfies the demands of enthusiasts that want to drink young and accessible wines.

It is equally liked by men as by women and is particularly recommendable for anyone who is starting to drink red wines.

We have received positive feedback on this wine from local and international costumers, especially in Europe and the United Kingdom, where experts have made a huge "educational" effort regarding this "rediscovered" variety.

Due to its freshness and exuberant flavor, we recommend Carmenère to accompany light dishes based on meats, vegetables and fresh herbs. Marries exceptionally well with lamb, game birds such as chicken and duck, cheeses, tuna or any type of pasta and sauce.