Nature’s bounty
A combination of beneficial natural barriers and benevolent Mediterranean climate make sustainability and organics a logical choice in Chilean winegrowing, according to Wines of Chile. Nature’s goodness has subsequently resulted in excellent quality without denting consumers’ wallets
Print11 August 2014
Wines of Chile Trade Tasting 2014
Showcasing the food and wine of Chile
Where: DoubleTree by Hilton – Burlington Road, Dublin 4
When: Wednesday, 3 September, 2014 – 12 noon to 6pm
Chile’s Mediterranean climate features the warm, dry summers and cold, rainy winters that vines love. Its geography provides the broad daily temperature oscillation that wine grapes need to develop fresh fruit flavours, crisp acidity, and in the case of red wines, ripe tannins, deep colour, and high levels of antioxidants and flavonols. Chilean wines show a real sense of place together with innovative winemaking techniques, grape varieties and styles.
The Wines of Chile Trade Tasting 2014 offers a rare opportunity to explore a rich selection of wineries. As well as each producer being represented, the Wines of Chile trade tasting will have two special features: a food and wine pairing masterclass and a special focus table, providing visitors with a chance to compare wines of different vintages. This will offer the trade a fast track to explore the high standard of the wines on offer during the day.
For more information on the event or to register to attend, visit www.winesofchileireland.com or contact claire.coleman@sopexa.com / 086 0770 350.
For further information on Wines of Chile, visit www.winesofchile.org.
Chilean wine: Irish heritage
General Juan McKenna was born in 1771, a son to William McKenna and Eleanor O’Reilly. In 1787 he was accepted into the Irish Brigade of the Spanish army. Juan McKenna went on to become a hero in Chile during the Chilean War of Independence.
His descendents McKenna Undurraga were one of the pioneers of Chile’s famous wine making. As a fitting tribute to Juan McKenna and in view of his descendants’ role in Chilean wine history, Comans decided to commemorate him with a wine collection in his honour.
There are three varieties of The McKenna Collection sold in Ireland. They are sauvignon blanc, cabernet sauvignon and merlot. Launched in 2009, The McKenna Collection has fast become the third biggest Chilean wine in the Irish market.
The McKenna Collection Sauvignon Blanc is pale in colour with green overtones. On the nose it delivers ripe citrus aromas and the palate is dry and crisp with zesty fruit. It is best served with chicken dishes and salads.
The McKenna Collection Cabernet Sauvignon has an intense ruby red colour with well-defined varietal fruit characters on the nose. The palate shows rich ripe berry flavours and good balance. It is best served with red meat dishes.
The McKenna Collection Merlot is ruby in colour and extremely well balanced. The palate displays generous fruit and glossy tannins. This is best served with roasts.
There will also be McKenna Collection Reserva available in the autumn; ask your Comans sales rep for further details.
The McKenna Collection is available nationwide in all good off-licences and retails at a very competitive price.
A premium choice
Cono Sur, one of Ireland’s favourite premium Chilean wine brands, has had a busy year of accolades, market successes, and deep consumer engagement here in Ireland.
In terms of sport, 2014 has definitely been cycling’s year (disregarding a certain tournament in Brazil, of course). Cono Sur was at the heart of the action when the Giro d’Italia came to Dublin, sampling the popular Bicicleta range and giving away some great cycling-themed prizes, as well as partnering up with and donating to the Tour de Picnic charity cycle this August with “Team Cono Sur” pedalling Cono Sur bicycles for its three nominated charities.
But it’s not just cycling; Cono Sur has also launched the innovative Cono Sur Food Blogger Challenge which invites amateur food writers – and foodies in general – to create a unique recipe that pairs with its premium Single Vineyard Pinot Noir or Sauvignon Blanc wines. Voting began on 18 August with the Irish finalist, announced on 9 October, being flown to Paris in November to compete against other international winners in the grand final in a bid to win a trip for two to Chile and the Cono Sur vineyards.
There was also critical acclaim for the brand this year as Cono Sur was named the 16th most admired wine brand worldwide, second most admired brand in South America and sixth among the New World brands by British drinks publication Drinks International, an excellent achievement for a wine brand only 21-years-old.
And finally, the 2010 vintage of Cono Sur’s icon wine and first ultra-premium pinot noir, Ocio, was awarded an esteemed Gold Medal at this year’s Drinks Business Magazine Global Pinot Noir Masters, verifying Cono Sur’s position as masters of pinot noir in Chile.
Over-delivering at its price point
With its vibrant personality and reputation for over-delivering at its price point, it is Chilano’s consistent quality which has taken it to one of the top selling positions in the Republic of Ireland. Chilano was created by Viña Ventisquero and its European importer in 2002 specifically to respond to the demands of the Irish market and the Chilano Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc varietals were created exclusively for United Wine Merchants.
Vina Ventisquero’s has a wide range of vineyards based in five of Chile’s top sites – Trinidad and Tantehue in the Maipo Valley, Peralillo and Apalta in the Rapel Valley and Casablanca. Award-winning winemaker Felipe Tosso Bruna has always had access to fruits of the highest quality. With the support of his sales team, he makes sure the same care goes into the making of his varietals range, as it does with the top estates’ wine.
The Chilano Merlot and Chilano Sauvignon Blanc feature all the typical hallmarks of their varietals when grown in the southern hemisphere. Both wines have been fermented in stainless steel vats to retain the fresh, primary fruit aromas and were not in contact with oak.
The sauvignon blanc is crisp and refreshing with a hint of tropical fruit on the palate; its light acidity is delicate and leaves a zingy, pleasant finish. The merlot is a real crowd pleaser offering tempting aromas of blackberry and ripe raspberry on the nose and a gentle, round mouthful on the palate with just enough spice to add some character to its smooth profile. Chilano is made to be enjoyed both on its own and with friends over dinner and will compliment a wide range of food types. Try the sauvignon blanc with a Thai Green Curry or the merlot with a juicy beef burger. Contact United Wine Merchants for more details at sales@unitedwines.co.uk or 0044 38316555.
Multi-dimensional yet balanced
Founded in 1850, Carmen is Chile’s oldest and most historic winery. From its inception, Carmen has been recognised as a pioneer in winemaking and viticulture, a tradition that continues to this day. Due to its commitment to quality and innovation, Carmen is a leading Chilean premium winery, exporting to more than 50 countries around the world.
Carmen’s style is harmonious and lively, seeking to fully express Chile’s most valuable asset: its fruit. Carmen also has vineyard holdings in some of the best growing zones throughout the country allowing Carmen Vineyards to produce a wide array of both red and white wines.
Carmen wines are offered in Reserva, Gran Reserva and Gold from grapes sourced from five different valleys throughout Chile including Casablanca, Leyda, Alto Maipo, Colchagua and Apalta.
Carmen Reserva wines offer an authentic and full expression of the variety adapted to specific locations through Chile.
Carmen Gran Reserva wines are the highest expression of their respective grape varieties and reflect their adaptation to the best Chilean terroirs. Multi-dimensional yet balanced, the wines are packed with character and complexity, yet have subtle notes to engage the nose and palate. From extremely low yielding single vineyards, Carmen Gran Reserva wines are aged for 10-12 months in French oak barrels, elevating every experience to a special occasion.
The Carmen Gold series is the top tier and is an ultra-premium, single vineyard wine made mainly from cabernet sauvignon.
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