Richard wasn’t with me when I tried the Botalcura Syrah Malbec for the first time.  I was in Calgary volunteering at a dog show and there was a dinner on the Saturday night where the Botalcura was served.   The people at our table thoroughly enjoyed it, so I thought it would be a great wine to try on a Winesday.

The birth of the winery began with a Chilean businessman (Juan Fernando Waidele) who loved wine and a French winemaker (Philippe Debrus).  When the two men met in 2000, Botalcura Winery soon followed.  The town of Botalcura is located about 3 hours south of Santiago.  The town is set amongst the rolling hills of the Coastal Range in what is known as the Maule Valley.

“The word Botalcura means “large stone” in Mapundungun, the language of Chile’s native Mapuche people. Something hard and solid as rock speaks of the power of the gods and of what’s enduring.”

“Along with the constant search of excellence in our wines, Botalcura Winery has always been committed to our surroundings.  We focus in 3 essential issues: community, economy and environment. By taking care of these 3 items, we want to contribute and achieve sustainable development, and obtain improvements in our people’s quality of life, in our town and on our planet.”[1]

Botalcura El Delino Reserve Syrah/Malbec

Winery: Botalcura
Location: Central Valley, Chile
Blend: 58% Syrah, 42% Malbec
Tasting: Wednesday, August 24, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m

When I had a wee sip of this for the first time, I knew right away why people were oohing and ahhing at that dinner.  This is a nice easy drinking wine with lots of fruit up front and a touch of spice.  It would go great with our Alberta beef.  When I arrived home from Calgary I picked up a bottle and opened it up for Richard and I to try together.  Richard said the same thing.  ‘I can see why the people at the show really enjoyed it.  It is easy drinking.’  This little wine has garnered the attention of a few others, as well.  Take a look.

• Stephen Tanzer - International Wine Cellar *87 Points
• Decanter World Wine Awards *Commended
• International Wine Challenge *Bronze Medal

The folks at Botalcura say this:

“Aromas:  Complex and alluring, with ripe blackberry, black cherry, violets, black pepper and nutmeg. Flinty, with rich, toasted oak and vanilla.”

“Palate:  Broad entry leading to a round, mouth-filling middle, with full but soft tannins. Very elegant, with approachable balance, fine acidity, and fullness from the alcohol/glycerol elements. This wine showcases the synergy between these two great varieties. The Syrah lends grip and structure, while the Malbec provides color, aromatic complexity, and voluptuous body. The result is a remarkably intense, fruity, and voluminous wine. It has been barrel aged to complement the luscious grape flavors.”

Food Pairing:

Herb-Rubbed Top Sirloin Steak with Peperonata; Salt-and-Pepper Rib Eye; Spiced Lamb Chops

CSPC:     728051

Botalcura Chardonnay Viognier

Winery: Botalcura
Vintage: 2010
Location: Central Valley, Chile
Blend: 62% Chardonnay, 38% Viognier
Tasting: Wednesday, August 24, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Chardonnay (see left) and Viognier (below right)… neat combination.  The hot days and cooler evenings of the Central Valley are like heaven to these grapes.  The acidity, the flavours and everything is made all the better when you have those wide swings in temperature.  Look at it this way… when we have a hot day, there is nothing quite as wonderful as the cooler temperatures of the evening.  Our bodies get a chance to cool down and get ready for the next day.  Grapes are no different.  They like the break too.

When they hand-pick these grapes they are able to pick the best grapes for the wine.  Although there are upsides to machine harvesting, nothing replaces looking at the grapes and picking only the ones that are ready.

Winery Notes:

“Aromas:  The attractive nose recalls white tree fruits such as apricot, peach, and pear, joined by notes of grapefruit and tangerine, delicately balanced with toast and vanilla.”

“Palate:  Soft and attractive, with broad balance on the mid-palate, delicate top notes, and a characteristic slight bitterness on the medium finish. This is a uncomplicated wine for everyday enjoyment.  It brings together the respective charms of Chardonnay and Viognier: the first provides voluptuousness in the mouth and the second, the intensity of flavors. The result is a captivating and original blend with solid fruit expression and a soft, but full mouthfeel.”

This wine is meant to be enjoyed at a young age.  Within two years of bottling is recommended.

Food Pairing:

Grilled Chicken Breast; Seafood Pasta with Cream Sauce

CSPC:     728050

Next week we have a “Sweet-Tea” treat for you to try.

Back in the late 19^th century, Don Melchor Concha y Toro, who started Concha y Toro Winery in Chile, brought the noble French vines from Bordeaux to Chile.    After a number of his ‘special’ wines kept disappearing from his cellar despite being kept under lock and key, Don Melchor spread a rumour that the devil lived in his cellar.  The rumour spread like wildfire and it did the trick.  The wine stayed in his cellar never to ‘disappear’ again.  That is how these great little wines got their name ‘Casillero del Diablo’

You will most likely recognize a few of these names:  Frontera, Trio, Marques de Casa Concha, Terrunyo, Amelia, Don Melchor (gee I wonder who that was named after) and Carmin de Puemo.  These are some of the delightful wines made by Concha y Toro.  We always like to say that every wine has its story, and it is no different here with these wines.

We will sample more of these wines in the future, but this week we are going to concentrate on the Casillero Del Diablo.   Although a very popular wine within Chile, the winery decided to start to export the Casillero Del Diablo wines to Europe in 1963.  >From then until today, you can find these wines in over 100 countries.

They are known as incredible value for the dollar.  It is amazing to think that although this winery makes a large amount of wine, it is able to maintain its quality.  It has done so through its commitment to producing a good wine for their customers to enjoy.   After all, if we don’t make our customers happy… well, you know the rest.

Concha y Toro has also taken a stand on the environment.  “Our sustainability philosophy leads us to work with respect for the environment and be socially equitable with our employees and the community. As a company we view our business according to the principles of sustainability. We see ourselves as an innovative and responsible company with a serious commitment to the environment.”

“As our own vineyards are exposed to the climate change phenomena predicted by experts, we believe that to care for the environment by minimizing our environmental impact and having sustainable production processes will be key to the future of our company and to the new generations of wine growers.”[1]

As of 2010 the Casillero Del Diablo wines are now in lighter bottles.  Also in 2010, Concha y Toro was the first winery in the world to measure its water footprint.  That was to go along with its decision to measure its carbon footprint three years earlier and make changes to decrease its footprint.  Every step makes a difference to our wonderful planet.  It certainly can’t hurt, that is for sure.

So this week we are sampling 3 of the Casillero wines.  We have had the opportunity to work with these wines many times previously and we love how people enjoy them and find a new favourite each time.

Casillero Del Diablo Sauvignon Blanc

Winery: Casillero Del Diablo
Location: Central Valley, Chile
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc
Tasting: Wednesday, May 4, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m

This is our lone white this week in our group of three.  Like all three of the wines we are sampling this week, the grape vines have their origins in France.  This wine is nice and light with easy drinkability.  Remember on a hot day to put a couple of frozen grapes in your glass to keep this nice wine cool.   Nobody says it like the winery:   “Pale yellow colour with green hues, very bright and clean.  Fresh, due to citric hints. Presence of pears, lime and some tropical touches with a greenish finish thanks to the presence of green apples.  An elegant wine due to the intensity and balanced acidity. The citric characteristics from the coastal areas of the Central Valley stand out. It is fresh from the beginning to the end, where the balance of fruit and acidity refresh the palate.

Food Pairing:

Scallops Carpaccio; Baked Oysters; Crab Cakes

CSPC:     578641
Price:

$12.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

Casillero Del Diablo Carménère

Winery: Casillero Del Diablo
Location: Rapel Valley, Chile
Blend: Carménère
Tasting: Wednesday, May 4, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Ah… ‘the lost grape’.  We just love talking about this grape variety.  We have spoken about this in the blog previously, but it doesn’t hurt to do a quick recap.

In the latter part of the 19^th century there was a little louse that was imported to Europe from North America (the charming aphid like bugs pictured to the right).  The vines in Europe were no test for this invasive little pest.  Vineyard to vineyard and country to country this nasty little creature made its devastation known and it wiped out vineyards throughout Europe.  A Phylloxera resistant root stock was developed (that is another story all on to itself) and the European vines were grafted onto this new rootstock.  It was thought that one of the casualties of this infestation was the Carménère grape.  Many thought it had been wiped out of France altogether.  Well little did they know that the Carménère vines had been brought to Chile.  The Chileans, however, thought it was a clone of Merlot and it wasn’t until 1994 that they discovered otherwise.  There… that is the Reader’s Digest version.

The Chilean’s are known for Carménère in the same way that the Argentineans are known for Malbec.  They just go hand in hand, even though they both come from France J.

It was just two weeks ago that we presented a tasting for customers and this wine went over like gangbusters!  This is easy to drink, food friendly and like the other Casillero wines, it won’t break the bank. And what does the winery have to say?:  “Dark and deep purple.  Luscious fruit flavors. Aromas:  Dark plums and blackcurrant, black chocolate with hints of coffee and toasted American oak.  Taste:  Notes of dark plums and spice, generously framed by toasty American oak with a soft and well structured mouth-filling texture

Food Pairing:

Grilled Beef Tenderloin with Chilean Cilantro Sauce; Chili Con Carne; Grilled Pork Tenderloin

CSPC:     714648
Price:

$12.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

Casillero Del Diablo Merlot

Winery: Casillero Del Diablo
Location: Rapel Valley, Chile
Blend: Merlot
Tasting: Wednesday, May 4, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

If you are not a big Cabernet person, try your hand at Merlot.  Some refer to it as the velvet devil (how appropriate for this wine).  There is even a winery in the U.S.A. that called its Merlot by that very name.  For those of you who do not like the big heavy tannins, you don’t need to worry about that with this wine.  I could write notes on this Merlot, but the notes written by the winery really says it all:  “Native from Bordeaux, France, is elegant by nature. Flexible, of soft tannins, expresses freshness and sweetness. In its Merlot, Casillero Del Diablo captured all the finesse of a subtle wine, of low astringency, with blackberry, strawberries and raspberries, together with chocolate, vanilla and cassis notes.”

Food Pairing:

Veal Picata; Beef Stroganoff; Slow Roasted Lamb Shanks

CSPC:     427088
Price:

$12.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

Au revoir mes amis. Richard et moi vous rencontrerons en France la semaine prochaine.
(Good-bye my friends.  Richard and I will meet you in France next week.)

We are going to have a little ‘Fun’.

In winery terms, Viña Chocalan is the baby on the block, but boy that baby sure has been getting around in this part of the world.

Guillermo Toro, whose family owns Viña Chocalan, had worked on the periphery of the wine industry for over 50 years before he decided that he wanted to expand the family business.  His family supplied wine bottles to producers, but he wanted to do more than that.  He wanted to “realize his long-held dream of filling his bottles with his own high quality red wine.”[1] So in 1996 he set out on his quest to find just the right property.  After searching for 2 years, he finally found the spot.  In 2002 they built their own vinification facility and in 2003 the passion for wine that Guillermo had for so many years turned a dream into reality.

Viña Chocalan (pronounced “Sho-kaw-lann) is located near the town of Melipilla.  (Believe it or not, the Province of Alberta has something in common with the Melipilla… the Rodeo!  Apparently they are totally into the macho sport.)  The meaning of ‘Melipilla’ is ‘four warrior spirits’ from the Mapudungun language, which is spoken in South-Central Chile and West-Central Argentina.

Winery: Viña Chocalan
Location: Maipo Valley, Melipilla Region, Chile
Blend: 85% Carmenère, 10% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon
Tasting: Wednesday, January 26, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m

We have spoken previously about the wonderful Carmenère grape.  Just to give you a quick refresher, it is originally from the Bordeaux region in France.  Like a lot of vines from the old world, the explorers brought vines to the new world.  In this case, they brought them to Chile way back in the mid 16^th century.  Although the grape may be found in France today, it is fairly sparse in its plantings.  Today Chile has the largest planting of this vine in the world.  It wasn’t until about 17 years ago, however, that they found out that it was Carmenère.  They thought it was Merlot or a clone of Merlot for all the time prior.  It is referred to as ‘the lost grape’, because viticulturists thought it had been lost from France during an outbreak of phylloxera (a nasty little pest), which devastated vineyards throughout Europe.  Today Carmenère is safe and sound and R & R are happy campers.

Winemaker’s comments:  “Brilliant and deep ruby red color. In nose, intense fruits aromas, varietal, frank and clean. In mouth, mature red fruits stand, jams, some mocha notes, and a touch chocolate and black pepper flavour.  Medium-bodied Carmenère, tasty, good volume and soft texture. A good balance between fruits and wood notes given by the guard in oak barrels.”

Food Pairing:

Smoke-Grilled Lamb Shoulder; Slow Cooker Pulled Pork; Grilled Rib-Eye Steaks with Roasted-Pepper Salsa;

CSPC:     717289
Price:

$12.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

With a history that dates back to Cleto Chiarli in 1860, Chiarli 1860 is very in tune with and has a great appreciation for its customers.  To be in business for over 150 years you have to know what you are doing.  The company is also involved with the production of Balsamic Vinegar and Parmigiano Reggiano, unfortunately we do not see these in our market.

The place where the grapes are grown is near the town of Castelvetro, from which our wine today gets its name.  “Lambrusco, known even in Roman times, is a wine of ancient origins which thanks to its natural fizziness, is more suitable than ever before to the requisites of modern eating habits.  Lambrusco comes in various types and, each being different, largely satisfy the various tastes of the consumer.”[2]

Winery: Chiarli 1860
Location: Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro Doc Castelvetro, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Blend: Lambrusco
Tasting: Wednesday, January 26, 2010 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Lambrusco is not only the name of the wine, but it is also the name of the grape.  Unfortunately, Lambrusco has been given a bad rap and therefore people shy away from it.  Back in the last quarter of the 20^th century the name Lambrusco had been associated with a less than stellar product in the new world.  Just like the names ‘Champagne’, ‘Chablis’ and others, ‘Lambrusco’ had been flung far and wide and really didn’t have anything to do with the Italian wine.

“The vine grows on the dry soils of the Modenese uplands and lower hill-slopes, an area dotted with country mansions and ancient castles, where the Apennine chain, rising up to the peak of Monte Cimone, provides the cornice of an undulating landscape of rare beauty.”[3]

The wine made from this grape can be dry or sweet, still or sparkling.  The one that we are sampling today is sparkling and on the sweeter side.  The wine makes a fun ‘let’s go for a picnic’ sipper or an aperitif or enjoy it with some desserts.

The winery says:  “The wine is deep ruby in colour; with a violet sheen and a light froth with an edge of the same hue. The notable bouquet is fruity fragrant and interesting, bringing to mind the aroma of the grape. According to Agazzotti “it emanates a pleasant scent of peach-almonds”. Its keen, harmonious flavour has delicious body, is well-balanced in acidity and slightly fruity leaving a pleasant, somewhat bitter aftertaste. It makes an excellent aperitif and goes divinely with Modena’s typical pastries and desserts.”

Food Pairing:

Cherry Bavarian Cream; Red Fruit Salad; Makes a great Aperitif!!!

CSPC:     711220
Price:

$10.50 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

February 3^rd is Chinese New Year… the Year of the Rabbit.  We are going to sample two wines that go great with Chinese food.  France and Germany will be our stops.

[2] www.chiarli.com

[3] www.chiarli.com

Baron Philippe de Rothschild Maipo Chile came to be in January 1997 and is “wholly-owned” by Baron Philippe de Rothschild SA. in France.  The bodega was built in 2003 and, of course, it is a state of the art facility.  We would expect nothing less than the best from Rothschild.  “Escudo Rojo is the literal Spanish translation of ‘Rothschild’, which comes from the German ‘das rot Schild’, the red shield, which initially served as the family emblem.”  On the Escudo label the red shield is surrounded by alternating blue and yellow blocks of colour.  The blue and yellow are the Rothschild family colours.  A classy label from a world class company.  Enjoy the wines we are tasting today.

Escudo Rojo

Winery: Baron Philippe de Rothschild - Chile
Location: Maipo Valley, Chile
Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère, Syrah, Cabernet Franc
Tasting: Wednesday, December 1, 2010 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m

Escudo Rojo (Red Shield) first whet our palates over 2 years ago when we were doing a tasting.  We loved all the grape varieties that make up this neat wine, so how could we go wrong!  It did not disappoint.  The longer the wine was open, the more flavours came along.  I refer to this wine as a ‘French grapes with a Chilean twist’.  You get the full body from the Cabernet Sauvignon, a bit of spice and zip from the Carménère and Syrah and the wonderful fruit from the Cabernet Franc.  The grapes for this wine are grown in the Maipo and Rappel Valleys.

The grapes are hand-picked and hand-sorted.  The wine is matured in two ways: 6 months in French oak and 6 months in stainless steel.  “This delicate balance enables the winemakers to preserve the wine’s freshness and fruit over a measured tannic structure and controlled oak.”  “The density of Carmenère and Syrah give it the strength of its Chilean character, while Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc complete a blend which has its origins in Baron Philippe de Rothschild’s Bordeaux winemaking know-how.”

Richard and I enjoyed it as it was, but as always my mind went wandering down ‘cooking lane’.  I started thinking about all of the foods that would go with these flavours.  At the end of the tasting I headed for the butcher and picked up some strip loin steaks.  Instead of barbequing them, I decided to put them under the broiler.  As a side dish I started some mushrooms, onions, green and red peppers (basically anything I had in the crisper went in).  I took a fork and pierced the steaks a few times on each side.  Then I took a wee bit of the wine and poured it over the top and then cracked some fresh pepper over the steaks.  I was a little mistaken in how long it would take the steaks to cook so the side dish was ready a little sooner.  No problem, I figured.  I took some of the Escudo Rojo and deglazed the veggie pan.  By the time that was done the steaks were ready.  I put the steaks on the plate and topped them with the vegetable mix and added a baked potato on the side.  Richard looked at me and said “you can make this again, Smiley”.  After that was such a hit, every time I did a tasting with this wine, I would tell people about that first day.

Decant decant decant.  Did I say decant?  You won’t believe the incredible aromas and flavours that come out of this wine after it has had some time to sit in a decanter!  If you would like to sip a wee bit as soon as you come home, use your aerator.  Then put the rest in a decanter.  You can even pour it into the decanter by way of the aerator!  This is a wine that has many lovely layers.  The character is unmistakable.  We hope you enjoy.

Food Pairing:

Broiled Strip Lion steak (see above); Aged cheddar cheese; Lamb and beef stew; Grilled lamb.

CSPC:     577155
Price:

$18.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

Escudo Rojo Chardonnay

Winery: Baron Philippe de Rothschild Maipo Chile
Location: Maipo Valley, Chile
Blend: Chardonnay
Tasting: Wednesday, December 1, 2010 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Each time Richard and I present some wines for people to taste, it is always so interesting to hear what they think about a product.  Quite frankly, we are of the belief that it doesn’t matter what someone else tells you or what you read.  Yes, that is very interesting and it is always great to see what the ‘people in the know’ think and how they rate it’ (that is the geeky side of me talking there).  BUT… the most important thing is how much each individual enjoys the wine.  For those of you who know us, you have heard us say this many times.  Every time we ‘do’ a tasting, we fill out customer comments so that the agent and producer can read what the people who are buying their wine, think of their products.  That brings me to this Escudo Rojo Chardonnay.  Each time people have tried this wine, they are so surprised… in a very good way.  We usually get ‘oh I am not much of a Chardonnay person’… then they try the wine and find out that they are a Chardonnay person, but just didn’t know it.

Sometimes people have tried a wine many years ago and they didn’t like it and then think that they just don’t like that grape variety.  Nothing could be further than the truth and this wine is a great example.  This is an easy drinking, medium-bodied Chardonnay.  I notice the nice fruit (tropical mostly), but here is how the winery describes this Chardonnay:  “Nose: Refined and complex. It first reveals a subtle combination of white blossom and toasted hazelnut aromas before asserting its power on notes of tropical fruit. White peach and pineapple, elegantly associated with toast and vanilla.  Palate: The attack is round and substantial with aromatic white fruit flavours enhanced by a touch of fresh vanilla. The lush and creamily smooth mid-palate displays perfect balance between fresh tropical fruit and toasty, spicy notes.”  Doesn’t that sound yummy?  Don’t chill it too much, because you will lose some of the lovely flavour.

Food Pairing:

Grilled chicken encrusted with bread crumbs, sesame seeds and Dijon; Pan seared Scallops (put a little of the chardonnay in the pan!; Roasted Turkey breast.

CSPC:     732030
Price:

$18.50 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

“Every man dreams of making his/her personality live forever by leaving an indelible trace of his/her life and creations. The idea that underlies MGM Mondo del Vino is just this: to make premium wines with the aim of leaving a real mark, that is, the satisfaction of customers and consumers.”  They go on to say “Grape harvesting and processing is not just enough to make an excellent wine. It takes passion, curiosity, and enthusiasm. These are exactly the values shared by all the staff working every day at MGM Mondo del Vino”

Luna Argenta Prosecco

Winery: MGM Mondo del Vino
Location: Veneto, Italy
Blend: Prosecco
Tasting: Wednesday, December 1, 2010 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m

We have been Prosecco fans for at the very least a decade.  There is something about this sparkling wine that keeps drawing us back.  It is great as an aperitif, with salad, a main course or dessert.  In short… Prosecco is like a smile in a bottle.

This Luna Agenta just received the ‘Judge’s Choice - Sparkling,  Wine Access International Value Wine Awards’.  I am mentioning this because this is a Canadian magazine.  Wine Access and Vines are probably two of the most recognized recognized magazines in this country.

Prosecco is a white grape variety that is grown in the Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia regions in northern Italy. It is best known for the light easy drinking fun sparkling wines.

The winery describes this wine:  “This harmonious and seductive sparkling wine, pale straw yellow in colour combines soft body of floral notes.”

If you think bubbles are for a special occasion only… well, you are right.  Our thinking is, however, that every day should be a special occasion!  Now we are going to let this sparkling wine do the talking.  Come join us!

Food Pairing:

Salad; Fish (poached, broiled); Fruity desserts.

CSPC:     733428
Price:

$17.50 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

Next week we are staying it Italy for a bit, then we are off to Germany.

Winery: Emiliana - Adobe Carmenere
Vintage: 2008
Location: Colchagua Valley, Chile
Alcohol: 14%
Blend: 100% Carménère
Tasting: Wednesday, May 5, 2010 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

I think there is some kind of rule that you cannot leave Chile without sampling some Carménère wine.  If there isn’t a rule, then I think there should be a rule.  This is not only a Carménère wine, but it is also organic.  The Edmonton Chamber of Commerce had their Spring Wine and Food night on April 20, 2010 at the Jubilee Auditorium.  Why in heaven’s name am I telling you this after the fact?  Well, that is the first place that I had tried this wine.  Now I am a big Carménère fan.  I have been for a long time.  They are available in all different price ranges and therefore the body is going to be a bit different on each of them.  I have to tell you, though, for this price, I was pleasantly surprised at the flavour this little wine has.  Check out the Emiliana website (that is the parent company of Adobe).  They have not only information on the Adobe wines (Sherbrooke carries a number of them), but also their other wines like Coyam, which we just sampled on April 22 and 23^rd for our Earth Day Weekend tasting.

Rafael and José Guilisasti of Emiliana Winery saw changes starting in how people were looking at their food and the land and they wanted to be a part of this change.  People all around the world were starting to be more conscious of what they were eating and drinking and how they were treating Mother Earth.  It was at that time that they started on the road to make the change to Organic and Biodynamic wines.

“Life is full of opportunities, and Emiliana is one of them… United by a common passion, we have been able to produce high quality wines with their own identity, and thereby achieve the authentic expression of their terroir through organic and biodynamic agriculture and respecting the true value of the company, which is in caring for its people and the environment.”  “We do what we are”

Jose Guilisasti Gana

When we were presenting our Earth Day tastings I had more than a couple of people ask what the heck ‘Biodynamic’ meant.  I told them, tongue planted firmly in cheek, that it was ‘organic on steriods’.  One fellow said ‘but steroids aren’t org…oh… I get what you mean.”  Basically it is Organic farming bumped up a few notches.  It truly is fascinating reading about the biodynamic agriculture and the background on how it came to be.  Basically, the stewards of the land not only farm organically, but they take it many steps further.  They plant certain trees and plants in the vineyards to bring in particular nutrients into the soil and to protect the vines.  The vines are planted and harvested during certain lunar cycles to bring out the best in the vines and the fruit being harvested from it.  And so on…  Now that is the Reader’s Digest version.

I was speaking to a gentleman just a few months ago he was telling me how his father used to work the land in Europe.  His father did his own tests by planting and harvesting his crops in the traditional method and doing it in the (what we now call) biodynamic way.  He found consistently that planting and harvesting using this method of biodynamics was well worth it.  Not only was his land/soil in great shape, but his crops were better for it.  His son has carried on the tradition.  I figure, where can we go wrong taking good care of Mother Earth?

The Carménère grape was originally from the Bordeaux Region in France.  When the explorers were travelling hither and yon through the world they took vines from their home country, to plant in the ‘New World’.  Carménère was one of those grapes that were brought to Chile in the mid 16^th century.  It is almost impossible to find in France today.  Chile has the largest planting of this grape in the world today.  It has almost become their signature grape in the same way that Malbec has become the signature grape of Argentina.  The Chilean wine growers actually thought this Carménère was merlot or a clone of merlot for many years.  It wasn’t until 1994 that it was discovered that this was the ‘lost grape’ Carménère.  It was recognized as a distinct grape variety by the Chilean Department of Agriculture in 1998.  It is often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah, but we see it on its own quite frequently now.

This is such a neat little wine and we are looking forward to you trying it.  A small portion of it (20%) was aged for 6 months in French and American oak barrels.  The colour is ruby red and you can smell wonderful dark cherries, with a tiny bit of spice (black pepper).  When you taste it you notice the tannins are medium-firm and are balanced nicely with the acidity and you sure can taste that wonderful cherry and notes of that great spice.  This is just a nice fresh wine to sip on.  Now if you to like food like we do, then you will be pleasantly surprised at how well this wine pairs with some great dishes.

Food Pairing:

Chorizo Sausages in a tomato sauce; Barbequed beef, pork; aged cheeses; venison; chili.

CSPC:     733158
Price:  

    $12.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

We will see you on Wednesday.  Next week we are travelling to Spain.

We have some exciting news for you!  Richard and I will be travelling to Italy and France over the next five weeks (not virtually).  We will be returning June 15^th to Sherbrooke.  Our very good friend Diana (Dee - Anna) is going to see you on Wednesday afternoons.  Diana, Richard and I are in class together studying to be Sommeliers.   She is an awesome person and you will just love meeting her!  She knows her stuff.  The weekly wine blogs will still be posted for you to read and you can come by and taste all the wines with Diana and have a good chat.

Winery: Viña Maipo
Vintage: 2008
Location: Maipo Valley, Chile
Alcohol: 14%
Blend: 85% Syrah, 15% Carménère
Tasting: Wednesday, April 28, 2010 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

You know, I can remember back to 1988/89 when people were just starting to hear about wines coming from Chile.  They were amazed that wine grapes could be grown there.  What they didn’t realize is that for most of the country the climate is actually considered to be a Mediterranean climate.  It features the warm, dry summers and cold, rainy winters that vines love. With the breezes from the sea and the effect of the Andes Mountains, Chile has bright sunny days and cool nights.  The dip in temperature at night helps the grapes to develop fresh fruit flavors, crisp acidity in the white wines.   This helps the red wines as well.  They develop ripe tannins, deep color, and high levels of antioxidants and flavonols.

Viña Maipo, which was founded in 1948, gets its name from the valley in which it sits - the Maipo Valley.  The Maipo Valley is considered to be the oldest and most important wine growing valley in the country of Chile.   Its history dates back centuries prior to the arrival of the Spanish in the 16^th century.  The Jesuits arrived and settled in the valley until they were expelled by the Spanish crown.  The Town of Maipo was founded during this time to defend the area against native attacks.

The Jesuits returned in the 19^th century, around the same time that the first great wineries appeared.  The merger of different religions and beliefs took place at this time and gave rise to the unique devotion and religiousness that is still felt in this region today.

Viña Maipo is located just 38 kilometers south of Santiago.  Just a minute down the road from the vineyard is the lovely town of Maipo.

In 1968, Viña Maipo became part of Viña Concha y Toro.  Over the next 42 years the winery has grown to become the 4th largest Chilean wine exporter.  Quite an accomplishment since only a decade ago they exported to small number of countries.  Now their wines are found in over 60 countries and they send over 2 million bottles of wine to those countries each year.

The Viña Maipo vineyards are located in Chile’s main valleys:  Casablanca, Maipo, Rapel, Curico and Maule.  The last four of these is known as the Central Valley.  This valley extends more than 310 miles from north to south and lies between the Maipo and Maule Rivers.  The clash of the cold Pacific breezes and the hot inland air masses give this area a pleasant Mediterranean climate with warm days, cold nights and well defined seasons.  Casablanca is known for its fresh whites; Rapel for its fruity reds; Curico for its very intense Sauvignon Blanc; Maule for its powerful and concentrated reds; Maipo for its elegant and classic styles.

This wine is the first in a series of Syrah from Viña Maipo.  The second is called Reserva and the third is Limited Edition.  They each are different and lovely in their own way.  April 28^th we have chosen the Syrah for our Winesday wine.  April 30^th and May 1 we will be doing a two day sampling with the Reserva Syrah and the Grand Devotion Sauvignon Blanc.  You will have to try each and find your favourite ones.

The grapes for this wine were both hand-picked and mechanically harvested in April 2008.  30% of it was aged in American oak barrels for three months and 70% of it was aged in stainless steel for 5 months.  The colour is an intense ruby red with violet hues.  It has some nice fruit with raspberry and blackberry leading the way.  There is a little black pepper spice and toasted notes to boot.  It has a softer body, but is nicely balanced with a medium finish.

Food Pairing:

  Grilled meats (beef, venison, lamb); a pesto based pizza; gouda cheese; braised beef.

CSPC:     735791
Price:

      $10.50 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

Come by and try this Syrah and then come back on Friday or Saturday to try the Viña Maipo Syrah Reserva and the Viña Maipo Gran Devocion Sauvignon Blanc.

Next week Richard and I are going to stay in Chile and have a bit of a road trip.  Come join us.  I’ll bring a few treats that we can nibble on while we travel.

Antu Ninquén Cabernet Sauvignon-Carmenère

Winery: MontGras - Antu Ninquén
Vintage: 2006
Location: Colchagua, Chile
Alcohol: 15%
Blend: 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Carmenère
Ageing: 15 Months - 27 % American Oak, 73% French Oak
Tasting: Wednesday, February 17, 2010 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

The inspiration of Hernán Gras, along with the “entrepreneurial vision” of his brother Eduardo and the “pragmatic business view” of partner Cristián Hartwig, brought the vision of Viña MontGras (MontGras Winery) to life in 1993. This was the first project of MontGras Properties.

What does Chilean wine have to do with Canada?  Well, in this case, quite a bit. Andrea Ilabaca (Public Relations Director for MontGras Properties) said that Hernán Gras, President and Winemaker of MontGras “lived for over 20 years in Canada. Till this day, he considers Canada “home” and returns at least 3 to 5 times per year as one of his daughters lives there.” While living here, Hernán worked at Brights Winery in Ontario and in 1992, “he returned to Chile to make his dream come true with MontGras, and now, Ninquén, Intriga and Amaral.”

That isn’t where the Canadian connection ends, however.  Ms. Ilabaca explained that the winery was designed by Sandwell Engineering, which has an office in Niagra on the Lake, Ontario.

Antu Ninquén means “Sun of the Mountain“.  Ninquén was the first mountain vineyard planted in Chile.  It isn’t easy growing vines under these conditions, but they knew that with patience they would have wonderful wines as a result.  The vines become stressed (which is a good thing) and they produce lower yields of fruit, but the fruit is laden with flavour and colour.

My suggestion would be to decant this wine for about 60 minutes.  The colour is going to be first thing you notice.  It is a beautiful deep ruby red colour with a pleasing purple overtone.  Before you have your first sip, experience the wonderful aromas coming from your glass.  You will smell lots of black fruit… cherries, blackberries and dried plums.  A bit of spice will be evident along with some nice vanilla and even some nuts.

Now here comes that first sip.  The tannins are positively there.  There is that wonderful flavour that you had a hint of from the aromas.  Savour the flavour. This is just a very pleasant wine that you could enjoy on its own or with some delicious food.  It is no wonder that this wine has earned notice by some of the people in the know.  For example:

90 Points - (Wine Advocate, October 2008)
Silver Medal & Best In Class - (International Wine & Spirit Competition 2008, U.K.)
89 Points - Buying Guide - (Wine Enthusiast, November 2008)

Food Pairing:

rack of lamb; filet mignon; game and game birds; herb crusted beef (esp. rosemary, thyme).  Be adventurous and try it with some Gorgonzola cheese or aged cheddar.

Come by and enjoy this fine wine on Wednesday, February 17, 2010.

CSPC: 729783
Price:

$18.99* (Minus Winesday 10% discount)

*Price Correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice.

Next week we are travelling to the United States of America.