Fine Wine Friday Online - Chile

Join us to explore one of the most interesting of “New World” wine countries, but one that perhaps we take for granted – Chile.

Because Chile is so good at making fruity, value-for-money wines from varieties such as Chardonnay and Merlot we often overlook its more premium offering.

Over the course of three weeks, from the comfort of your home, using “Zoom” technology we will put this right, tasting six wonderful wines, showcasing what Chile can do.

Week 1: 6th August

This week, we recreate Burgundy in Chile.

We start with a white wine (the only one on this course) and what else could it be but a Chardonnay?  This is a “Reserva Especial” from the cool Limari Valley.

Then we are onto one of the red wines that Chile is quietly building a reputation for – Pinot Noir again from a cooler region of Casablanca.  This is a super wine, aged in oak for a year resulting in silky fine tannins (Vivino score 4.0)

• Maycas del Limarí Chardonnay Reserva Especial 2018 – Retail Price £13.50
• Kingston Family Vineyards Alazan Casablanca Pinot Noir 2018 – Retail Price £28.50

Week 2: 13th August

This week is dedicated to top Chilean boutique winery Koyle with two of their fantastic full-bodied red wines.

We start with a “GSMC” a blend of Mourvedre, Grenache, Carignan and Syrah, we could be in the Languedoc, but this wine has that extra-special Chilean climate and winemaking knowhow added.

Next, we are onto Chile’s answer to Argentina’s Malbec – Carménère. This former Bordeaux variety has made a new home in Chile and when fully ripe and in the hands of a skilled winemaker delivers a stunning fruity full-bodied wine.

Vivino scores both of these wines as 4.0

• Koyle Cerro Basalto Alto Colchagua 2018 (GSMC) – Retail Price £17.50
• Koyle Cerro Basalto Cuartel G2 Carmenère 2018 – Retail Price £17.50

Week 3: 27th August

Finally, “King Cab” makes an appearance.  In France, Cabernet Sauvignon is almost always blended with Merlot, but here in a warmer environment it reaches super-ripeness and is quite happy on its own, although the option of a “Bordeaux Blend” is always there.

We start with a 100% Cabernet, aged in oak, blackcurrant, cigar box, vanilla, game, earth and spices on the nose, full-bodied with elegantly fine tannins. 

Finally, our last wine is really special.  A mature Bordeaux based wine as perhaps it would have been before Phylloxera.  Here we have Cabernet Sauvignon and Carménère, plus some Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot.  This really is the full set!  A simply wonderful wine, and lot’s of people agree as this wine scored 4.5 on Vivino

• Concha y Toro Terrunyo Maipo Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 – Retail Price £22.00
• Koyle Auma Alto Colchagua 2013 (BDX blend) – Retail Price £36.00

All the wines will be supplied by the Wine Society and the price for the event includes the wine, delivered to your door. 

Note: the cut off for ordering this event is 30th July to allow for delivery and in the case of a wine being out of stock we reserve the right to substitute the nearest equivalent wine.