What is it about this remarkable country, sandwiched between the Andes and 3,000 miles of Pacific coast, that makes it such a powerhouse of New World production? And how are its winemakers safeguarding the future of the Chilean wine industry?
Majestic Buyer Camilla Bordewich investigates.
Chile’s geography is, in a word, extraordinary. Between the arid deserts of the north and the glaciers of Tierra del Fuego in the far south, lush green valleys and hillsides provide perfect conditions for planting vines. This landscape enjoys incredible natural defences (mountains, deserts and the ocean), and carefully controlled agricultural practices mean the Chileans have had great success in preserving their diverse and unique natural eco-systems.
This knowledge of the practical benefits of protecting their land has put Chilean wineries at the forefront of the move towards sustainable winemaking. From reducing the use of chemicals and intensive practices in the vineyard, to cutting energy and water usage in the winery to adapting packaging, many of the country’s top wineries are making positive changes. As all of these excellent eco-friendly wines show, this can be achieved without for a second compromising on quality or value!
Yali
Our Yali wines which include a fresh, vibrant Sauvignon and a robust, fruity Cabernet/Carmenère, come with a great environmental pedigree, from careful vineyard management and rigorous Carbon Dioxide offsetting to partnerships with wetland reserves in both Chile and back here in the UK.
Yali Winemaker’s Selection Cabernet Carmenère 2009, Rapel Valley
£6.49 £5.61 or £4.49
(when you buy 2 bottles*)
Yali Winemaker’s Selection Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Rapel Valley
£6.49 £5.61 or £4.49
(when you buy 2 bottles*)
Camilla’s Pick
Montes Reserva Merlot 2008, Colchagua Valley New!
£7.49 or £5.99 when you buy 2 bottles*
Deep, peppery, black plum fruit mingles with fresh vibrant raspberry, while a lick of French oak and smooth supple tannins make this a seductive Merlot.
Koyle Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Alto Colchagua New!
£9.99 or £7.99 when you buy 2 bottles*
Koyle winemaker Cristobal Undurraga has worked in wineries as diverse as Bordeaux’s Château Margaux and Napa’s Franciscan Estates. This reveals a lovely balance between voluptuous cassis fruit, fresh acidity and classic cedar notes.
Errazuriz Wild Ferment Chardonnay 2008, Casablanca Valley
£10.99 or £8.79 when you buy 2 bottles*
A long, complex, classy Chardonnay with crème brûlée on the nose, bright fresh fruit characters on the palate, with excellent acidity and sweet toasty oak.
Matetic EQ Syrah 2006/07, San Antonio Valley
£19.99 or £15.99 when you buy 2 bottles*
An intense, complex, multi-award winning Syrah from certified organic and biodynamic vineyards with savoury notes of black olive, woodspice, violets and lashings of ripe black fruit. Fabulous now, but will stand up to cellaring for years to come.
*All prices valid until 1st February 2010
It would be helpful if you could show the alcohol content of any wines you publicise.
Hi, If you click on the green product links within the blog posts you can see the full product information including the ABV of all wines (except for Fine Wines). The ABV we put on this information always applies to the latest shipment we have received. I hope this helps.