A guide to Carmenere worth seeking out, by region. We list the estates, how each region expresses the grape, and the bottles that show it best.

Carmenere in Franciacorta

Ca' del Bosco ★ 4.9

DOCG Franciacorta / DOC Curtefranca / IGT SebinoChardonnay, Pinot Nero, Pinot Bianco, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carmenere253 haFounded 1968Maurizio ZanellaBiodynamic PracticingICEAErbusco

Founded in 1968 by Maurizio Zanella, who built a single house in a chestnut wood at Erbusco into a 253-hectare traditional-method sparkling cellar.

Tasting: Cellar visit by appointment with the Ca' del Bosco Method walkthrough (grape washing, contactless press, Hall of the Wines, Bocchi sculpture park), then a guided flight of the Cuvée Prestige, Vintage Collection, Annamaria Clementi and a Curtefranca red. Reservation required.

Signature wines: ca-del-bosco-cuvee-prestige, ca-del-bosco-annamaria-clementi, ca-del-bosco-vintage-collection-satèn, ca-del-bosco-vintage-collection-rose, ca-del-bosco-maurizio-zanella

Tip: Book the Annamaria Clementi flight (the prestige cuvée named for Maurizio's mother) to taste 8-plus years on lees side-by-side with the Vintage Collection.

Via Albano Zanella, 13, 25030 Erbusco, Brescia, Italy Book →

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Carmenere in Veneto

Inama Azienda Agricola ★ 4.7

Soave Superiore DOCG and Colli Berici DOCGarganega, Sauvignon Blanc, CarmenereFounded 1991Inama family (Giuseppe Inama and sons)Winemaker Matteo InamaSoave Classico

Founded by Giuseppe Inama in 1991, the estate spans Soave Classico hill vineyards and pioneered quality Carmenere in the Colli Berici DOC. The Vulcaia Soave from basalt soils is one of the appellation's most mineral expressions.

Tasting: Visits and tastings at San Bonifacio; Soave Classico and Colli Berici Carmenere tasting programmes.

Signature wines: inama-soave-classico-foscarino, inama-oratorio-san-lorenzo, inama-bradisismo

Via IV Novembre 29, 37047 San Bonifacio, Verona, Italy Book →

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