The Value of Carmenère
The Award-Winning Labels of the Carmenère al Mundo International Wine Competition 2024
Carmenère has established itself as Chile’s flagship grape variety and one of the most important symbols of the country’s wine industry in international markets. Originally from Bordeaux, this variety virtually disappeared from France after the phylloxera crisis but continued to be cultivated in Chile, where it was mistakenly identified as Merlot. Its discovery among Chilean vineyards in 1994 transformed Chile into the world’s leading producer of Carmenère.
Since then, Carmenère has acquired significant cultural value, positioning itself as a distinctive product within Chilean exports and contributing to the international recognition of Chilean wine.
Following the phylloxera crisis in the 19th century and prior to its identification in Chile, Carmenère survived only as isolated vines in France. The variety was also cultivated in Italy, where it was believed to be an Italian clone of Cabernet Franc.
On November 24, 1994, during a technical visit to the vineyards of Viña Carmen as part of the Sixth Latin American Congress of Viticulture and Enology, organized by the National Association of Agronomist Enologists (ANIAE), ampelographer Jean-Michel Boursiquot identified Carmenère vines that had previously been mistaken for Merlot.
Boursiquot later visited vineyards in the Maule Valley and was astonished by the vast areas of Carmenère planted throughout Chile.
Three years later, agronomist and enologist Philippo Pszczólkowski published an article in Revista Frutícola of Curicó proposing that Carmenère be adopted as Chile’s emblematic grape variety.
Pszczólkowski recalls that: «Initially there were many failures with Carmenère due to poor site selection and a lack of understanding of how microclimate influenced pyrazine levels. There was also limited knowledge of how these compounds evolved, which led to significantly delayed harvest dates and ultimately affected wine quality.»
The agronomist notes that: «However, over the past 30 years, research institutions and specialized organizations have provided winemakers and the industry with the tools and criteria needed to manage vineyard microclimates, determine optimal harvest dates, and establish fundamental winemaking protocols.»
Wines made from Carmenère have demonstrated remarkable aging potential. Today, many Chilean wineries feature the variety in their premium portfolios, including both single-varietal wines and iconic blends.
According to data from Wines of Chile, Carmenère ranks among the five most exported varietal wines from Chile. Additionally, red blends—many of which contain Carmenère—also play a significant role in Chile’s international wine exports.
The association reports that in 2025 Chile exported 46 million cases of bottled wine worth US$1.262 billion.
Carmenère represented 4.2% of export volume and 4.5% of the total value of Chilean bottled wine exports worldwide.
Furthermore, the average export price for Carmenère exceeded the national average. In 2025, Carmenère reached an average export price of US$29.3 per nine-liter case, approximately 7% higher than Chile’s national average export price of US$27.4 per nine-liter case.
Pszczólkowski explains that Carmenère: «Went from being a curiosity to becoming the fourth most planted grape variety in Chile today, covering nearly 10,000 hectares.»
Over time, Carmenère has evolved from a relatively common wine into a premium product, particularly in China, a country that also has significant plantings of the variety.
However, Chile and China are not the only producers of Carmenère. Experimental plantings and limited commercial production now exist in Brazil, the United States, Bolivia, Uruguay, and Italy.
«There are also efforts underway in France to recover the variety,» adds Pszczólkowski.
Regarding quality and global recognition, Laura Leiva, agronomist, enologist, and Marketing Manager at Wines of Chile and Wines of Chile USA, comments: «Following its correct identification in Chilean vineyards, Carmenère has been managed increasingly well over time. It has undoubtedly gained prestige and recognition, helping position Chile as a world-class specialist in the variety.»
According to Wines of Chile, Brazil is currently the leading destination for Chilean Carmenère.
«In 2025, Brazil accounted for 33% of the exported volume of Carmenère and 26% of its export value. In terms of value, it is followed by China, Colombia, the Netherlands, and Russia,» reports Claudio Cilveti, General Manager of Wines of Chile.
Cilveti adds: «In 2025, Chile exported 46 million cases of bottled wine worth US$1.262 billion. Carmenère represented 4.2% of export volume and 4.5% of export value.»
One of the key initiatives developed to promote Carmenère as Chile’s signature variety is the Carmenère al Mundo International Wine Competition.
This biennial competition has been organized by the National Association of Agronomist Enologists since 2006 to highlight the value of the grape. An international jury conducts blind tastings of wines from Chile and other producing countries.
In 2026, Carmenère al Mundo celebrates its 20th anniversary. The competition will take place from November 24 to 27 in the Curicó Valley.
This edition is endorsed by the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV), with Philippo Pszczólkowski serving as President of the Competition.
Carmenère al Mundo 2026 is also supported by Wines of Chile, the Curicó Valley Wine Route, and the Chilean Academy of Agricultural Sciences.
Registration is currently open with a 15% discount through the official Carmenère al Mundo website.
Official Report provided by ANIAE with the support of Vinos de Chile.
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