Chile: One To Explore

For this post I am going to focus on some wines of Chile that I have recently tried and been very surprised with. Most of you I imagine, just as I did until last week, have a preconception that Chile produces cheap, not so high end, mass produced wine. To some extent this can be true. However, just the same can be said for California, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and others, if one looks in the wrong place. I took some convincing it must be said, growing to enjoy wine by being taught on Burgundy, Bordeaux, the Mosel and Ridge Vineyards. 

Many winemakers in the New World are striving harder and harder to produce wine that emulates the Old World style of balance, depth, structure and perfect harmony of flavours and Casa Lapostolle are no different. My work recently at the Seafood Restaurant St Andrews has allowed me to taste a great variety of New World gems such as their 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, which had me guessing blind that it was of high end Californian origin. The nose is met with an intense ripe blackcurrant, while the palate develops into an amalgam of cedar wood, loose tea and cherries. The smooth yet feisty tannins round off what has been one of the most shocking wines I've tasted recently. It is from the Colchagua Valley to the south of the Chilean capital of Santiago. The valley is known for its dry heat, yet in this particular wine although it is clearly from the new world, the heat is blended expertly to produce something in no way overpowering. It is attractively priced at between 8 and 12 pounds per bottle and would be excellent paired with any lamb dish.

Picture: Justerini and Brooks

Another Chilean wine that has caught my eye recently is the Palomar Estate Merlot, also from the Colchagua Valley. What impresses me about this wine is that although it is a single variety Merlot (which is quite uncommon due to the grape's richness) it is not overly thick and oppressive. It is from the eastern part of the valley which is slightly cooler, and this helps soften the grape. It still possesses all the characteristics that one would desire from a big New World single varietal. The nose presents with a chocolatey richness and deep ripe blackberries, while the palate gives a viscous woody sweetness with a lengthy gripping finish. At 6.50-9 pounds per bottle it is not one to pass up, and would be delicious with liver and onions, or a classic sunday roast: the bold flavours in both would complement each other and neither would be washed out. 

There are many more Chilean gems that I could describe to you, but the best way to understand is to try for yourselves! Do test out some if you get the chance, there is way more to Chile than the supermarket aisles suggest.