Carmenère deserves more recognition that it gets.  Of all South American wines, Carmenère stands out to me as the most distinctive and enjoyable, especially in the first five years of life which is when the vast majority of all wines are consumed, and as an added bonus, well made Carmenère ages gracefully to perfection for up to a decade or more.  Critics and writers sing the praises of Carmenère, especially from top producers such as Casa Silva, Carmen, and Errazuriz, and every time I bring a fine Carmenère to a tasting or share it with friends, it’s a hit among young and old.  When asked why they don’t drink more Carmenère, the usual retorts sound something like these:  “I didn’t know what it was” or “I never had one before, so I was afraid to try it.”  Adam could have exercised a bit more caution when handed the apple, but when it comes to wine, let’s be more audacious!  And to help dispel the mystery surrounding Carmenère, it’s safe to say that it is close to being the missing link of Bordeaux varietals, and that link now thrives in Chile. 

Although still one of the six legal red Bordeaux grape varietals and in evidence at a few Bordeaux châteaux among a sea of Merlot and Cabernet, Carmenère has not figured prominently in Bordeaux since the advent of phylloxera in the 19th century.  Brought to Chile in the 19th century before the dreaded vine disease, Carmenère was mistaken for a clone of Merlot until the 1980s, and perhaps this is the reason it languished in relative obscurity, though it’s hard to believe that one of Bordeaux’s six legal red grape varietals could be misidentified for so long, but then the truth is nearly always stranger than fiction.  So, what does Carmenère have going for it?  Plenty!  Let’s start with Carmenère’s deep purple color, followed by a hedonistic aroma: savory red and black fruit flavors, deft touches of bell pepper, black pepper, dark chocolate, coffee and spice.  But best of all, Carmenère’s tannins are smoother than those of Cabernet and its other Bordeaux compatriots.  Most of all, people enjoy it, especially after it’s had a few minutes to breathe.  But never judge a Carmenère on first sip; any good Carmenère needs a few minutes of aeration to undergo metamorphosis in the glass.  One doesn’t have to wait years to enjoy this varietal, but allow it a little time in the glass to collect itself, and enjoy!

Salute!
Don

photo credit: Carlos Varela via photopin cc

As a true lover of wine, any wine travel destination gets me excited.  Yet, I have to admit, if asked to choose just a few such destinations, several come out on top.  They are the destinations that have it all: great wine, fabulous food, extraordinary scenery, an interesting culture, and plenty to do and see between winery stops.   In no special order, Italy – especially Tuscany and Piedmont – are must travel destinations for those who love wine.  Brunello di Montalcino, Vino Nobile, Chianti Classico, and powerful, complex, Super Tuscan reds are just a few enticing reasons to spend time in Tuscany.  Let’s not forget Tuscany’s beautiful cities, (think Florence, Siena, Cortona, etc.), incomparable art, picture postcard scenery, and more good food than any of us can eat.  The same can be said for Italy’s Piedmont, home to Barolo, Barbaresco, Barbera Arneis, Moscato, and the finest Northern Italian cuisine.

Piedmont, too, has it all, but then so does France’s  Provence, particularly the Vaucluse, which features Châteauneuf-du-Pape,  the venerable medieval wine villages of Gigondas, Vacqueyras, and Beaumes de Venise to name just a few.  In Provence, the air is fresh, the light scintillating, the people warm and friendly, and the food is nothing short of scrumptious.  And we haven’t even mentioned the rolling fields of lavender and more to do and see in Provence than any ten trips could satisfy.

Last but certainly not least, the Western Cape of South Africa comes in second to none.  By far the most beautiful scenery of any wine destination awaits the wine lover on Africa’s Western Cape.  The Western Cape’s preeminent wine districts of Stellenbosch, Franschoek, Paarl, and Robertson also fashion an exciting array of wines made by a growing legion of young, talented winemakers.  South Africa’s multicultural flavor adds to the experience as does nearby Cape Town, which offers everything a traveler could possibly want in a wine destination.

Yes, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Chile, Germany, New Zealand, Spain, the United States, and several other countries, too, offer great wine travel destinations, but for the sheer amount of fine wine, relative ease of travel and the ability to satisfy almost every whim, the three choices above earn my picks as the best overall wine travel destinations.

Salute!
Don