A member of the Cabernet family the name "Carménère" derives from the French word for crimson, which refers to the colour of the autumn foliage. It is orignially from the Médoc, though it is no longer common in France. The largest plantings are in Chile where for a long time it was mistaken for Merlot!
Carménère wines are medium bodied. It has a deep red color, spicy, red fruit aromas, and gentle tannins.