Wines made from Carmenère grapes of Vin de France
Discover the best wines made with Carmenère as a single variety or as a blend of Vin de France.
Carménère is a grape variety of Bordeaux origin. It is the result of a cross between Cabernet Franc and Gros Cabernet. In France, it occupies only about ten hectares, but it is also grown in Chile, Peru, the Andes, California, Italy and Argentina. The leaves of the carmenere are shiny and revolute. Its berries are round and medium-sized. Carménère is susceptible to grey rot, especially in wet autumn. It can also be exposed to the risk of climatic coulure, which is why it is important to grow it on poor soil and in warm areas. Carménère is associated with an average second ripening period. This variety has only one approved clone, 1059. It can be vinified with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. It produces a rich, highly coloured wine, which acquires character when combined with other grape varieties.
Vin de France is the most basic level of quality for wines from France. These are generally uncomplicated everyday drinks - most often blends, but perhaps also Varietal wines based on a well-known Grape variety such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc. Wines from France are those that do not meet the criteria stipulated by the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) or Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) laws (see information on French wine labels). This may be because the vineyards are outside the delimited production areas or because the grape varieties or winemaking techniques used do not conform to the rules of the local appellations.