Carmenere Gaining Popularity as the Go-To Wine for Thanksgiving, Just as Chile Celebrates the 20th Anniversary of the Grape's Rediscovery

ST. HELENA, Calif., Nov. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a recent Nielsen study, sales of Carmenere are up over this same time last year, just as home chefs are making the all-important decision about which wine to serve for Thanksgiving.  The trendy rise in the Chilean varietal's popularity occurs just as the country is celebrating the 20^th anniversary of the treasured grape's rediscovery.

Carmenere is a wildly popular wine in Chile, and a novelty that is gaining a following among savvy wine enthusiasts in the United States.  Similar to Cabernet Sauvignon in structure, but with the soft roundness of a Merlot, Carmenere is often enjoyed at festive Chilean dinners with grilled meat.  Sebastian Labbe is the Winemaker for Carmen Wines -- Chile's oldest winery and the site of the elusive grape's rediscovery -- and explains why Carmenere is the perfect pairing for turkey, too.

"Carmenere is a wonderful choice for Thanksgiving," notes Labbe.  "The structure and balanced acidity of Carmenere stands up to the traditionally rich dishes and bold flavors of Thanksgiving, while the soft tannins make it very food-friendly."

Of Chile's top 10 exported varietals, Carmenere has enjoyed the strongest growth in America.  The trend occurs just as the Chilean wine industry is celebrating the 20^th anniversary of the rediscovery of their most popular grape – at Carmen.  Carmenere was originally brought to Chile from Bordeaux in the mid-19^th century, where it thrived in the warm South American climate.  In the vineyard, Carmenere looks similar to Merlot, so over the years it was often confused with Merlot.  It was thought to be extinct until Thanksgiving Day, 1994 when it was rediscovered in one of Carmen's estate vineyards. 

As the place of Carmenere's rediscovery, Carmen has taken a leadership role within the Chilean wine industry in maximizing the varietal's nuanced qualities.  Labbe, who studied in New Zealand and worked in Australia, has married the integrity and authenticity of Chile's oldest winery with modern innovations and sustainable practices to intensify the quality of Carmen Gran Reserva wines.

Labbe has crafted the 2011 Carmen Gran Reserva Carmenere from Carmen's estate vineyards in the Apalta Valley – Chile's best region for growing Carmenere.  The 2011 Carmen Gran Reserva Carmenere is dense and concentrated and shows ripe berries, sweet spices, tobacco and earthy aromas – making it the perfect accompaniment for rich holiday meals.

For hosts in-the-know who want to serve a distinctive wine this Thanksgiving, the 2011 Carmen Gran Reserva Carmenere is offered in shops across the country for just $15, making it an effortless choice for the Holidays.  Carmen is imported into the U.S. by Napa Valley-based Trinchero Family Estates.  More information can be found at www.carmen.com

Media contacts:  Casey Shaughnessy, Erin Farkaly or Hilary Burns at Glodow Nead Communications, 415-394-6500 / [email protected] or Nora Feeley, Trinchero Family Estates, [email protected].

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SOURCE Carmenere

Related Links

http://www.carmen.com