Viña Carmen Celebrates the 15th Anniversary of the Rediscovery of Carmenère

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Viña Carmen Celebrates the 15th Anniversary of the Rediscovery of Carmenère
Bordeaux's lost varietal was re-discovered at Chilean winery Viña Carmen in 1994

Santiago, Chile (November, 2009) - On November 24th, Viña Carmen will host a historic celebration to mark the anniversary of the rediscovery of the Carmenère grape variety at its vineyards in Chile. This will be an extremely significant event for the Chilean wine industry and for Viña Carmen. On that day fifteen years ago, Carmenère, the long lost grape of Bordeaux, was re-identified at Viña Carmen by Jean Michel Boursiquot, French Ampelographer from Montpellier; a discovery that changed the face of Chilean winemaking forever.

Carmenère, considered part of the original six red grapes of Bordeaux and once known as Grande Vidure, was widely planted in France in the mid-Nineteenth Century, especially in the Médoc. In 1860 phylloxera decimated all viticultural areas worldwide with the exception of Chile, protected by its natural boundaries, and the variety gradually disappeared from Europe.

When Viña Carmen, the oldest winery in Chile was founded in 1850, Carmenère was among the red varieties imported from France. It remained hidden among Merlot vineyards for over a century because since its arrival to Chile, the vine was planted with Merlot and therefore thought to be a late clone of Merlot. It was not until 1994 that Carmenère was rediscovered in the Carmen vineyards.

"Viña Carmen is very proud to commemorate the fifteenth anniversary of the rediscovery of Carmenère in our vineyards," stated Eulogio Pérez Cotapos, Managing Director, Viña Carmen. "We feel very fortunate that Carmen gave back this variety, not only to Chile but to the entire world. That is why we are celebrating this event on November 24th."

"I am very proud to be a part of this celebration of viticultural history" explained Jean-Michel Boursiquot. "I never imagined that we were going to rediscover one of the most important grapes of the Médoc in the south corner of the world," he continued.

Viña Carmen's Chief Winemaker, Stefano Gandolini Ambrosoli added, "Carmenère really allows me as a winemaker to express the winery's style through blending with other grapes or single varietal bottling. Using innovative techniques and modern equipment at Viña Carmen, we strive to produce wines with a sense of place, from the best and most diverse Chilean terroir."

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