BellaOnline Forums Food and Wine Wine Carmenere: 17th Anniversary of its Rediscovery

In view of the discussion in 'Favourite Wine' that mentions Carmenere I thought this press release I have just received will be of interest:

Celebrating the 17th Anniversary of the Redicovery of Carmenere in Carmen Vineyards

Carmen�re was France�s lost grape. It was basically thought to have been extinguished worldwide after the phylloxera outbreak in the mid-19th century; however it was rediscovered in Chile at Carmen vineyards.

In 1996, Carmen Grande Vidure brought Carmen�re back to life. From that moment on, a �before� and an �after� period came to existence in the world�s wine industry. Carmen�re has become the personal signature of Premium Chilean wine in the world and it all started at our Carmen vineyards.

The French ampelographer Jean Michel Boursiquot, who rediscovered Carmen�re on November 24th, 1994, stated: �In 1860 the wine growing regions witnessed a tragedy that had put an end to a varietal that had once acquired vital importance, and in 1994, we rediscoveredit in Chile. This is without a doubt something I am very proud to have been a part of�.

Upon celebrating the 15th rediscovery anniversary of Carmen�re in Chile, Vi�a Carmen and other key players of the original event revived the rediscovery of the Carmen�re.
A commemorative plaque symbolizing the occasion in which the variety was rediscovered at Vi�a Carmen was unveiled.

Today, Carmen is inviting consumers to discover Carmen�re; it is inviting them to explore Carmen�s two lines of wine and to discover the variety from its distinctive varietal flavors to Chile ́s best variety terroir.

Carmen Reserva Carmen�re displays the Carmen�re variety�s intensity and purity from the Valley of Colchagua. An ideal wine to explore Carmen�re ́s characteristic colors, flavors and aromas. A well-structured wine, 80% aged for 6 to 8 months in French and American oak barrels.

Carmen Gran Reserva Carmen�re invites wine consumers to discover the best terroir for Carmen�re: Apalta a particular area in the Colchagua Valley. This location allows the variety to develop its fundamental nature to its fullest expression. This wine was aged 10 to 12 months in French oak barrels.

Copyright � 2011 Carmen Wines, All rights reserved.

I forgot that last year I wrote an article for this site about Carmenere. It is here

Hmmm, recycling stuff I see Peter! Hey, whatever works is fine with me.

If I don't get a chance to visit your site before Christmas, have an AWESOME one and I promise to be back really soon...