Carmenere Wine

In the good old days of red grape Carmenere is a major player in the vineyards of Bordeaux, France. Between the disease and phylloxera, they have virtually disappeared from France, but the signature grape of Chile's Bacoma. It seems that Carmenere is doing a minor return to Bordeaux. This variety is sweeter with softer tannins than the best known and most expensive Cabernet Sauvignon. The Carmenere wine reviewed here is produced in the Maipo Valley, the oldest and best known wine region in Chile, just south of Santiago, the capital of the country.

OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY All wines that we taste and review are purchased at retail.

Santa Alicia Carmenere wine review Reserve 2006 13.5% alcohol about $ 10

Let's start with the marketing materials. Tasting note: Deep ruby purple color means /, black cherry and plum flavors with spicy, dry, medium-bodied with flavors of fruit and light tannins on the finish. Serving Suggestions: stuffed peppers, chorizo or cheese farm. And now for my review.

I started drinking the wine alone. This wine taste in the mouth of plums, black plums - it is a Big Red. The first meal was a pepperoni, mushrooms, Italian sausage and pizza. The wine is well balanced. It really is the spice of pizza. I tasted the oak.

The second meal involved beef stew with potatoes. The Carmenere was fairly strong, yet short-lived. This wine was soft and dark plum taste. The tannins are round. This is a Big Red and I will not enjoy it with an omelet. This wine has not done well with spicy salsa. I suppose the lime and plums are not compatible.

The last meal of grilled burgers with green beans in tomato sauce. The wine is fruity and full bodied. The meat was too salty and the wine was refreshing, a good way to address this problem. Then I added a little jalapeno pepper sauce. The wine has not been greatly affected by the sauce, but it became Oakie.

Now for the cheese. With Cheddar marbled plums were still there, like the rounded tannins. Then I paired with a Havarti. Finally the cheese overpowered the plums but I tasted the oak. The combination is not bad if you like wine and cheese.

the final verdict. Despite the fact that the pairings were pretty good, I probably will not buy this wine again. But if you want a little Big Red in Red price it could be a wine for you. I'll keep looking.