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Carmenère: From rediscovery to vineyards and winemaking
Using the 1994 rediscovery as a starting point, we study the vineyards and winemaking of Colchagua. In Montes’s 2018 materials, we confirm differences in soil within the appellation and partial barrel aging.
Questions for this course
How do you interpret Chilean Carmenère based on vineyard conditions and winemaking?
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To explanation task notes ↓Carménère / Learn from grape varieties
Synonym/Label: Carmenere / Carmenère
Update date: 2026-09-23
The 1994 "rediscovery"
Carmenère is known for being rediscovered in 1994 at Viña Carmen in Chile. The producer celebrated the 30th anniversary in 2024, commemorating identification by Jean-Michel Boursiquot. 'Rediscovery' here does not mean that a new variety was created by crossing in that year. Rather, it refers to confirming the identity of grapes that had long existed in the vineyards, as we trace Carmenère’s story in Chile.
Soil that retains moisture in the vineyard
Montes Alpha Carmenère 2018 uses grapes from Apalta and Marchigüe in Colchagua. The documentation explains that soil depth varies between flats and slopes in Apalta, and that deep, water-retentive lowland plots in Marchigüe are selected. Even for vineyards within the same valley name, the site conditions are not uniform. Reading soil depth and water retention together makes vineyard selection more concrete.
Even wines labeled by grape variety may be blends.
This 2018 wine is 90% Carmenère and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Furthermore, barrel aging was not applied to the whole batch: 55% was aged for 12 months in barrels of different usage counts. Grape variety, blend, and the proportion that underwent aging are all separate pieces of information. Do not assume it is 100% or that the whole lot was barrel aged just from the product name; check the year-by-year documentation for the methods used.
What to align and what to compare.
History
- Conditions to standardize
- Grapes already present in the vineyard
- Conditions for comparison.
- Before identification and after rediscovery
- Additional points to confirm
- Distinguish from breeding by hybridization.
Vineyard
- Conditions to standardize
- Viticulture in Colchagua
- Conditions for comparison.
- The soils of Apalta and Marchigüe
- Additional points to confirm
- Read depth and water retention
Winemaking
- Conditions to standardize
- Primarily using Carmenère.
- Conditions for comparison.
- Blend of other varieties and proportion aged in oak
- Additional points to confirm
- Confirm what proportion is being referred to.
Order of reading and key points to consider in each article
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READ · HYPOTHESIZE · RECONSIDER
Carmenère source reading: From rediscovery to vineyard and winemaking
From Montes' 2018 materials, distinguish the proportions of grape varieties and barrel aging.
This summarizes the official technical data for Montes Alpha Carmenère 2018. It does not indicate the specifications for other vintages.
| Item | Source description/content | Subject to read |
|---|---|---|
| Grapes | Carménère 90% / Cabernet Sauvignon 10% | Wine blend composition |
| Barrel aging. | 55% of the wine aged 12 months | Amount and duration of barrel aging. |
| Number of barrel uses. | 1st, 2nd, and 3rd use barrels | Barrels with different usage histories |
| Region of origin of the raw material | Apalta and Marchigüe | Two locations within Colchagua |
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Read the explanation for each question
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What is the percentage of Carménère in this wine?
The technical sheet lists the grape composition as 90% Carménère and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. The 55% figure is related to barrel aging and is a separate point. Even if Carménère is written on the product name, you cannot explain this wine as 100% of that variety.
What is an explanation of barrel aging that follows the provided materials?
55% refers to the proportion of the wine aged in barrels, and 12 months is the duration. Barrels of the first, second, and third fills are used, so you cannot interpret this as all of the wine being put into new barrels. Confirm the quantity, duration, and usage count separately as distinct items.
What is the appropriate way to read about the vineyard source of the raw material?
The source not only cites two locations but also explains the topography, soil depth, and vineyard block for Carmenère. Do not generalize the shallow soils at Marchigüe to all Carmenère vineyards used.
Basis and sources for the exercise
Practice exercises in comparison
From Montes' 2018 materials, distinguish the proportions of grape varieties and barrel aging.
Read examples of organizing comparisons
| Conditions for Comparison | Apalta notes | Entry for Maltigue |
|---|---|---|
| Topography | Conditions change on plains, foothills, and elevated sites. | Flatter and gentler hills. |
| Soil depth | Plains tend to be deeper; higher places tend to be shallower | There are shallow sites as well, but Carménère is planted in low, deep vineyards. |
| Perspective for reading | Water retention in each location | The depth and water retention of vineyard plots |
This is an organized study tool based on the designated articles for this course. You can check specific facts and sources in each article.
Explain in your own words
Please explain what each of ‘Carménère 90%’ and ‘55% barrel aged’ represents.
Check after writing
- Did you distinguish the objects of the ratios?
- Was it described as the specification for 2018?
- Are you summarizing the characteristics of a single vineyard?
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