Tasting #249
January 31, 2023 12:30 pm
Wines from Southern Chile
Capri Ristorante, McLean VA
Wines
1. Koupin, Carignan, 2019. Vinos Gustavo Martinez. Valle de Itata 13.5% Alchool
2. Chardonnay, Sol de Sol. Vina Aquitanie, S.A. Valle de Malleco. Traiguen, Chile. 13.3% Alchool (93 points)
3. Mission Grapes (Pais), Santa Cruz de Coya, Roberto Henriquez, 12% Alchool
4. Brisas de Guarilihue Cinsault, 2019, Wildmakers, Guarilihue Alto- Valle del Itata. 11% Alchool
Presenters: Ruth Connoly y Ginger Smart
Participants: TBA
Menu:
Given the regions’ three centuries of history making wines of/ the people, in choosing the menu, emphasis was placed on dishes that reflect as far as possible food that the people of the area would eat with the wines selected. This has resulted in some unusual combinations and the presenters thank the Capri staff for their collaboration in designing the menu with us.
1. Brochetta with corn, tomatoes and onions
Calamares with seaweed
3. Cazuela (soup) with pork, potatoes and squash
Grilled trout with potatoes and cabbage
Dessert
Wines
1.Koupin, Carignan, 2019. Vinos Gustavo Martinez. Valle de Itata, 13.5% Alcohol
From the winemaker: Es un vino que se obtiene de la comuna de Ninhue en el valle del Itata. Es un viñedo de mas de 50 años, el cual es único en la zona de Itata, ya que la mayoría de los carignan de esa edad se han arrancado y reemplazado por uva país que es mucho más rustica y resistente a las enfermedades. Este viñedo se maneja en espaldera baja (80cm) simple a diferencia de todos los demás que se manejan en cabeza.
Winemaker notes
Deep garnet with a vibrant ruby edge, velvety soft on the palate with bright cherry to plum flavors. This wine is weighty and full of fresh ripe berries with rich, dark accents of cocoa nib. Intriguing and delicious.
Aromas of dark chocolate, plum, black cherry, cedar and tarragon jump from the glass.
2. Chardonnay, Sol de Sol. Vina Aquitanie, S.A. Valle de Malleco. Traiguen, Chile. 13.3% Alchool (93 points)
Notes from Producer: De color amarillo brillante. Muy intenso en la nariz, sus aromas recuerdan frutas como manzanas verdes, melón verde (tuna), algo de espárrago, olivas y avellanas tostadas, con notas minerales. En boca presenta fresca acidez, gran volumen y concentración. Su persistencia al final de la degustación es frutal y mineral, complementado con el sabor de la encina francesa. Gran equilibrio entre el alcohol y la acidez natural que le da frescor, persistencia y potencial de envejecimiento, algo difícil de obtener en un vino blanco chileno.
3. Mission Grapes (Pais), Santa Cruz de Coya, Roberto Henriquez, 12% Alcohol
From vinatis.co.uk
Sol de Sol has really changed the reputation of Chilean Chardonnay and is recognized for such!
The quality of the grapes from this terroir is so impressive that it was created with the Chilean Ministry of Agriculture. Complex and elegant wines are produced here, allowing the minerality of the volcanic soil and the freshness of the coldest climate in the Valle del Malleco to express themselves. Sol de Sol delights us from the moment it opens with its intense golden colour, but also with its enchanting aromas of apples and fresh figs. Notes of olives and roasted hazelnuts accompany the desire to taste it. On the palate, it is a freshness and a long fruity and mineral finish, integrating woody flavours, which enchant us. An excellent balance of characteristics that can make up a wine. Sol de Sol has a rare ageing capacity for Chilean white wines. An exception to be discovered and shared, a journey to the heart of unique flavours.
This wine is made from 100% pure País grapes obtained from a 200-year-old vineyard located in Nacimiento, in which soils are granitic intrusive (solidified magma). The vines were managed traditionally without the addition of chemical fertilizers or herbicides. Santa Cruz de Coya is the name of the nearby village established in 1595 that was a key site of the 1598-1599 uprising that ended the Era of the Conquista. The Mapuches finally won the battle against the Spanish conquistadors.
10/13/2021 – DIGGYDAN WROTE:93 Points
Beautifully elegant and light weight. Aromatic red berry. Palate a nice mix of upfront red fruit and background herbaceousness.
4. Brisas de Guarilihue Cinsault, 2019, Wildmakers, Guarilihue Alto- Valle del Itata. 11% Alchool
Notes from producer
General description: Los viñedos utilizado para la elaboración de nuestros Brisas Cinsault se encuentran ubicados en Guarilihue Alto, sector El Huaro a unos 30 km del mar. Son viñedos de más de 40 años, manejados a la usanza tradicional de la zona. Es decir, manejo del suelo a caballo, sin aplicación de pesticidas. Nos enfocamos en realizar una vinificación enfocada a preservar toda la fruta y las características varietales que nos aporta la variedad Cinsault, sin crianza en madera.
Tasting Notes:
En nariz, Brisas Cinsault, presenta mucha fruta roja y energía, recuerda a freses, ciruelas fresca y cerezas combinada con suaves toques de especias herbales. Es un vino fresco y peligrosamente fácil de tomar y de jugoso final.
Color: Rojo rubí, limpio y brillante, Varietal: 100% Cinsault, From: Guarilihue Alto- Valle del Itata.
Wine Regions
ltata, Bio Bio and Malleco are among the southernmost wine producing valleys of Chile and are drastically different from the rest of Chile’s wine regions.
ltata Valley
It actually rains here, up to 50 inches a year. In addition to this wine weather advantage, the regions soils are mostly volcanic in origin and unlike those of the other wine valleys in Chile. There is also a lot of cloud cover in this area, a classic cool climate growing advantage.
Plantings of old vine cinsault, ^pais” (mission grape) and muscat are most common. Wine produced is basically red with Carignan, muscat (musket) of Alexandria, “Pais” (Mission Grapes or Criolla Chica in Argentina), Pinot Noirs and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes.
Old traditions of wine making and a lack of large-scale viticulture and winemaking sets ltata apart. Look for: red blends, Cabernet Franc.
BioBio
At 36 degrees south, the more windy, rainy climate of the Bio Bio valley, is somewhat more extreme than the country’s other wine producing regions and favors the production of crisp wines. Of particular note are its excellent Riesling and Viognier white wines. There is also another interesting white called Muscat de Alexandria. Bio Bio is characterized by few vineyards, fewer wineries and amazingly interesting soils. Pinot Noir is also produced.
Malleco
Located 340 miles South of the Chilean capital of Santiago at 38 degrees South latitude, the Malleco Valley is becoming a growth area for Chilean wine. Malleco has well-drained soils, consisting principally of red clay and sand. However, although its marginal climate and short growing season makes the development of a wine industry particularly challenging, its current fresh sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir production enjoys a racy acidity.
Currently, Vine Aquitania, S.A. from the Chilean Central Valley is exploring additional growth possibilities both in Malleco and further South.
Wines Evaluation on the opinion of Club del Vino Members
To be published after the tasting
Next Meeting:
Wines from Mendoza by Clara Estrada and Jorge Garcia
CALENDARIO DE DEGUSTACIONES – 2023
No. |
FECHA |
TEMA |
PRESENTADORES |
250 |
feb 28 |
Región Mendoza, Argentina |
Clara Estrada and Jorge Garcia |
251 |
mar 28 |
“Off the Beaten Track Chilean Wines”:Pipeño wines and Carignan, Cinsault, and Pais |
Ricardo Santiago |
252 |
abr 25 |
Región de Aconcagua, Chile |
Cristian Santelices y Jorge Claro |
253 |
may 30 |
TBD |
Claudia y Agilson Perazza |
254 |
jun 27 |
Valle de Uco, Argentina |
Jairo Sánchez y Jorge Requena |
255 |
jul 25 |
Blancos de la Región Sur |
Erico Silva y Nick Marzella |
256 |
ago 29 |
Región del Valle Central, Chile |
José Brakarz |
257 |
sep 26 |
Región de Casanova, Chile |
Marcello Averbug |
258 |
oct 31 |
Región Sur, Argentina |
Jaime Estupiñan |
259 |
nov 14 |
TBA |
Michelle Fryer |
260 |
dic 12 |
The best wines of 2023 |
John and Lucia Redwood |
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