Latino passion
A pioneering approach to winemaking is ensuring Chilean and Argentinean wines are increasingly being recognised as among the best in the world, writes Gillian Hamill
Print13 August 2010
With a long viticultural history for a New World wine region, dating back to the 16th century when the Spanish conquistadors brought Vitis vinifera vines with them as they colonized the region; Chile is now the fifth largest exporter of wines in the world, and the ninth largest producer. The country’s most common grapes are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Carmenère.
Argentina meanwhile is currently the world’s fifth largest wine producer by volume – after France, Italy, Spain and the USA in that order – a position it has held for many years. According to ArgentinaWine.com however, “It is only very recently – perhaps over the last ten or 15 years – that the industry has really begun to develop the methods, attitudes and will to become a serious player in the international wine market. High volume, low quality vines are being replaced by premium varieties. Product quality is soaring, and every year the industry balance shifts further from cheap table wines towards exquisitely crafted drops that are increasingly recognised as being amongst the best in the world.”
Subsequently, from meaty Mendoza Malbecs to surprising Syrahs, Salta’s aromatic Torrontes to classic Cabernet Sauvignons – the Argentine wine industry is now producing quality wine from a full variety of grapes.
A breakthrough Discovery
Carmen is delighted to announce the introduction of a new and exciting tier; Carmen Discovery, as part of its continuing commitment to bringing consumers on a journey of discovery with its premium range of Chilean wines. These wines are the first step on an authentic journey. Effortless and straightforward, they embody the classic aspects of each Chilean variety.
The wines of Carmen Discovery are young, elegant and fruity with a perfect balance of smooth tannins and good acidity. The range includes Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Carmen Discovery is the third new range introduced by Carmen in Ireland recently. It will be the first stop on the journey of discovery for consumers, followed by the popular Carmen Reserva and Carmen Gran Reserva, both widely available throughout the country.
Carmen Discovery will be available nationwide from mid-August, priced at €9.99
Argentinean splendour
Edward Dillon & Co. Ltd is delighted to announce the introduction of Argentinean wine, Doña Paula to the Irish market.
Doña Paula strives to set an example of excellence, to produce premium Argentinean wines, and be particularly identified with the Malbec varietal while delivering the best that Argentinean terroir can offer.
Two tiers will be initially introduced; Los Cardos and Estate. Los Cardos, a premium quality entry level wine, priced at €9.99 will include Sauvignon Blanc, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. The Estates range, priced at €12.99 will include Malbec, Shiraz/Malbec, Cabarnet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. Sauvignon Blanc is unique to Doña Paula as it’s not a traditional Argentinean varietal. Additional tiers will be rolled out over the coming year.
Doña Paula is considered an estate winery because 100% of the grapes that go into its wines come from its own vineyards and the vineyards are managed using sustainable agriculture practices.
Doña Paula is available nationwide.
Santiano shines this summer
Santiano, the easy drinking wine from Chile, has introduced a new on pack promotion.
United Wine Merchants Ireland is launching a major text to win promotion on bottles of Santiano, where two Ultimate Girly Breaks to London are up for grabs including an overnight stay at the Dorchester Hotel and a personal stylist at Harvey Nichols. During the three month long promotion there will also be cases of Santiano wine and girly prizes to be won.
Every bottle of Santiano across the full range will display a neck collar which gives instructions on how to enter and details of the prizes on offer.
The promotion will be heavily supported by both above and below the line advertising with in store POS available across both on and off trade to highlight this sensational promotion.
Santiano wine offers customers Chilean wine at its best. Sheltered by the Andes, bordered by the Atacama desert and cooled by the Pacific ocean Santiano embodies all that is great about Chilean Wine – an easy living lifestyle. Santiano believes it delivers the epitome of Chilean wine – quality at affordable prices that shouts ‘drink and enjoy’. Available in five key varietals: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Rose, it is a brand to suit all and Santiano advises retailers to fully stock up across the range in order to not miss out.
To order Santiano please contact your local United Wine Merchants Ireland sales developer or for more information contact Melanie@unitedwines.co.uk, telephone 048 3831 6555, or check out the websites www.unitedwines.co.uk and www.santiano.co.uk.
A Sur thing
The Cono Sur Reserves range from Findlater Wine & Spirit Group is newly launched on the Irish market and is fast becoming a firm favourite. The Cono Sur ethos is “No family trees, no dusty bottles, just quality wine” and it’s therefore not surprising the brand recently won the ‘value brand of the year’ accolade from the prestigious Wine & Spirits magazine. Cono Sur Vineyards & Winery was founded in 1993, with the vision of producing premium and innovative wines conveying the spirit of the New World. The Sauvignon Blanc from the new Reserves range is fresh, elegant, delicate, juicy and balanced. Serve chilled as an aperitif or to complement salads, seafood, light meals. Contact Findlater Wine & Sprit Group on 01 4047300 for more information.
Trapiche displays passion
Trapiche is the largest producer of wine in Argentina and produces the most awarded Malbec in the world. Trapiche was also named the “Argentinian wine producer of the year” in 2004 and 2008 by theInternational Wine and Spirit Competition.
Trapiche was named the “Argentinian wine producer of the year” in 2004 and 2008 by the International Wine and Spirit Competition
This year, Trapiche presents the highly acclaimed , Grammy award winning show, ‘Tango Pasión’.
Tango Pasión has played to sold out houses, receiving standing ovations on world famous stages including the Deutsche Oper in Berlin, the Theatre des Champs Elysees in Paris, and the Kremlin Theatre in Moscow.
The show comprises the best tango orchestra and the world’s greatest tango dancers.
“Astonishing new heights of choreographic invention… Nothing short of miraculous … The whole theatre lightens up,” was the verdict delivered by The Times.
The Trapiche Wines range, which is distributed by Comans in Ireland, will give consumers the chance to win two tickets to this highly acclaimed show in Dublin’s Grand Canal Theatre. The offer will be available in stores in August, September and October with Trapiche Wines. For more information, please contact your Comans rep.
Annual Errazuriz Seminar
Francisco Baettig winemaker with Vina Errazuriz will be travelling to Dublin on 6 September to conduct the Annual Errazuriz Seminar. Francisco will focus on the Errazuriz Specialities. The Errazuriz Specialities range allow the winemakers to showcase the diversity of the Aconcagua region as well as giving them the opportunity to develop innovative or special project wines, that is, wines which are produced with specific viticultural or vinification points of difference. Errazuriz wines are distributed in Ireland by Cassidy Wines.
The Errazuriz Specialities range showcases the diversity of the Aconcagua region
The Errazuriz Specialities range showcases the diversity of the Aconcagua region
Black sheep stands out
‘Oveja Negra’ or ‘Black Sheep’ presents quality wines from an undiscovered region from Chile: Maule Valley.
The brand’s target market is young men and women, aged between 25 and 35 years old. They are regular wine drinkers and innovators who like to experiment and find something new.
Oveja Negra’s design was developed by Amphora Design in the UK, a leading studio dedicated to wine label design supported by consumer research. Packaging also reflects the quality of the wines in each tier including the concepts of “Estate Bottled”, Reserva and Single Vineyard. The brand’s ‘Eco Glass’ bottle also has strong environmental credentials; offering a 15% reduction in weight over previous bottles.
Oveja Negra wines are made from handpicked fruit selected from the label’s own vineyards in the Maule Valley, using modern sustainable viticultural practices.
The affordable Oveja Negra range also offers something different, including a blend of red with a white (Reserva Sauvignon Blanc-Carmenère), and Carignan – a special variety planted in the dry area of the Maule Valley. The wines which are rich and fruit-driven with flavour intensity and concentration, also offer Chardonnay-Viognier, Cabernet Franc-Carmenère, Cabernet Sauvignon-Syrah, and Rosé varietals.
The 2008 Oveja Negra Sauvignon Blanc/Carmenère was recommended at this year’s Sommelier Wine Awards (SWA).
Q&A
Oonagh Gildea, marketing controller, Edward Dillon & Co. Ltd, explains more about the distributor’s successful Carmen brand
It has been reported that Ireland is Carmen’s most successful market in the world. What factors are involved in making this the case?
Carmen has been long recognised for both its premium quality wines and for being a pioneer in the Chilean wine industry enjoying some of the finest wine growing conditions in the world over the last 150 years. Over the last 20 years Chilean wine has become a dominant player in the Irish market, with Ireland now accounting for the largest share of Carmen’s export market. Ireland has been the most important market for Carmen as it was the first country to introduce the new premium tiered product range. Edward Dillon & Co. Ltd played a pivotal role in every stage of the rebranding process. This was a testament to Ireland as a major player in the global wine market and the long standing partnership between Edward Dillon & Co. Ltd and Carmen. Another key factor for Carmen’s success in Ireland is the Carmenère grape variety. Lost for more than 100 years, it was rediscovered by Carmen in Alto Maipo in 1994 and two years later Carmen released the first bottle. Today, Carmenère has become the flagship for Carmen in Ireland and is one of the emblems of Chilean viticulture around the world.
What makes Chilean wines stand out from other world wines?
Chile’s innovative and creative approach to winemaking is what makes Chilean wine stand out. Carmen’s pioneering approach to producing wine by maximising the rich combination of soil, geography and climate (that is unique to Chile) means the Chilean winemaker always gets the very best from its ultimate asset; the fruit. At Carmen, the winemaking team are true innovators and their passion, skill and determination allow Carmen to produce wines that are balanced and vibrant ensuring Carmen remains one of the most important Chilean wineries in the premium wine segment.
How great a role does marketing play in the success of the Carmen brand?
Marketing plays a huge role for the Carmen brand in Ireland and it is vital we communicate with our consumers and trade at all times. Carmen’s multifaceted communications programme is built around the theme of ‘Explore to Discover’ and focuses on a number of key elements; education for trade and consumer, consumer sampling and trial generation, and online engagement. Our continued interaction with our trade customers, our consumers and the media alike ensures that Carmen wines are front of mind at all times. In addition, Carmen’s strategic portfolio of partnerships and sponsorships gives the brand an opportunity to be presented in an exciting way. Our continued sponsorships of the Dublin Theatre Festival, the Carmen Dubliner Series and the TV Now Awards give us the opportunity to interact with a large number of new and current consumers. They afford us the opportunity to present Carmen to these consumers in a creative, relevant and unique way, ensuring the good will and recruitment towards the brand continues long after the event is finished.
What tiers of wines does Carmen offer in the Irish Market?
Carmen’s premium quality wines are perfect for loyal and new consumers alike and give them the chance to experience the truest expression of each variety and by offering various tiers, there is always something new to discover. The Carmen Discovery range is the first stop on the journey, offering consumers who are being introduced to wine for the first time a young elegant and fruity wine at the affordable price of €9.99. The Carmen Reserva range is ideal for those consumers wishing to discover different varieties and the Carmen Gran Reserva range offers consumers’ wines from locations that allow each variety develop its essence and fullest expression. Carmen will continue to introduce additional tiers of exciting and exceptional wines with unique blends from the Chilean valleys; constantly appealing to current and new wine drinkers.
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