Viña Carmen celebrates the 30th anniversary of the rediscovery of Carménère

Jean-Michel Boursiquot, the French ampelographer who first identified this grape variety in Chile, attended the event, along with prominent figures from the wine industry. They were treated to a special edition wine and a preview of a documentary made specifically for the anniversary.

It took over 135 years for Carménère to be rediscovered in the Maipo Valley. For a long time, it was believed that this grape variety, originally from France, had disappeared due to the devastating phylloxera plague that wiped out its vineyards in the 19th century. However, French immigrants had brought it to Chile, where it was cultivated and, for years, confused with Merlot.

The story took a dramatic turn in 1994, when Boursiquot, walking through the vineyards of Viña Carmen, noticed a twisted stamen on some vines of this variety. After a series of DNA tests, its true identity was revealed: the authentic Carménère. Later, the Chilean winery became the first to market wines labeled as “Grand Vidure”, a term used in Bordeaux to refer to Carménère. Today, Chile is the world’s largest producer of this variety.

To commemorate this milestone, Viña Carmen held a special event that brought together clients, media, authorities, and other important figures from the industry, including Jean-Michel Boursiquot, who all enjoyed an evening paying tribute to the discovery that marked the history of both national and international winemaking.

The attendees watched the trailer for the documentary The Lost Grape, produced by the platform Sunn Stream, which tells the fascinating story of Carménère from the perspective of its protagonists. The full documentary will be available in May 2025.

To close the event in style, Carmen’s chief winemaker, Ana María Cumsille, presented an exclusive Carménère created especially to celebrate the 30th anniversary of its rediscovery. This limited edition, with only 360 bottles produced, highlights its unique character and exceptional quality, becoming an irreplaceable wine that symbolizes the identity and innovation that distinguish the Chilean winery.