Chile Sauvignon Blanc; A Fiery Topic!
As an importer and distributor of fine wines in the UK, I have been fortunate enough to have spent many a summers evening deliberating over various wines from various countries and felt compelled to tell you all, after one such evening, when I spent time in the company of a myriad of Chilean wines and, I am happy to say, I was not at all upset!
Sure, you’ve got the usual suspects that adorn our supermarket shelves in the UK, but on few occasions, some of the chosen few get the opportunity to try some offerings that are truly exceptional and stand out from the crowd, as individuals, on their own merits.
One such opportunity arose, when I discovered the wines of Vina Echeverria, a small, family owned and run wine estate in Molina, Curico Valley, the wine centre of Chile. Roberto,Roberto I, Gloria, Viviana and Paulina Echeverria all work on the estate in different roles and are always on hand to talk about their commitment to quality and excellence that, they say, is “attainable only from a truly family enterprise!”
Our story begins with a great introduction from their wines with the Chilean Sauvignon Blanc. Pre-Philloxera root stock (original French Sauvignon!) Bright yellow with green hues, a stunning aroma, very vibrant and strong notes of pineapple, grapefruit and fresh herbs. These fruits are abundant on the palate, lots of very strong flavours and a long, lingering finish. Suffice to say we were aghast by its sheer weight of flavour!
This South American treat Sauvignon Blanc was not a one off, as other just as favourable wines were to follow, including the Unwooded Chardonnay 2008; a contender more than sufficient to be played against any Australian offering, the Merlot 2008; a superb garnet colour oozing with strawberries and blackberries with notes of black pepper and dried fruit, the Cabernet Sauvignon 2007; all you would expect from such a king of grapes and eventually culminating in the Carmenere, a newly found gem, lost many years ago in France, but now finding new followers in the wine world as one of the best robust and fruity wines on the current market! Red and violet in colour with intense aromas of raspberries and cherry confiture and ripe red bell peppers and hints of black pepper. This really is a stunning wine and one not to be missed. On the palate it is smooth and velvety with an abundance of dark fruit and a finish that lingers of raspberries. I recommend if you only try one new wine this year, it is a Carmenere! For those who have already discovered it, if you buy online try this one from Molina!
It only leaves me to thank the Echeverria family and I eagerly await the new harvest due very soon.
Thanks guys!
David Kelly
Get vital knowledge about the topic of hosting - please go through this site. The time has come when concise info is truly within your reach, use this chance.