skip to main content
Rated 'Excellent' on TripAdvisor
Virtual Wine Tasting - South America

Virtual Wine Tasting - South America

There are no upcoming dates for this event. Please view all events.

Duration
3 x 1 Hour

Event Description

Everyone loves South American wines.  From big, fruity Argentinian Malbecs to crowd-pleasing Chilean Merlot and Chardonnay they are a familiar sight on restaurant wine lists and supermarket shelves.

But there is another, less well-known aspect to South American wines. 

The Spanish Conquistadors took with them vines from old Spain in the 16th century as they conquered the Americas.  The descendants of these vines survive to this day, fighting for attention amongst a sea of French varieties that arrived in the 1870s.

The original Spanish variety, the first to leave Europe for the New World is known in California as “Mission” where it is grown in reasonable amounts and Pais in Chile where it has a small but sustained foothold in the vineyard.  This red grape variety is now commercially extinct in Spain and survives only in the Americas, where it is grown mainly for domestic consumption.

Tonight, we not only sample a rare Chilean Pais, but also two off its offspring which as they were created by nature in South America are actually extremely rare types of grapes, Vitis Vinifera (European Grapevine) NOT originally from a European vineyard – Criolla Grande and Torrontes.

In addition, we visit the often-overlooked, but fascinating wines of Uruguay to sample their trademark red wine made from Tannat and an uber-fashionable Albariño.

Finally, although a mainstream French variety, the search for quality Pinot Noir is endless and Chile demonstrates that it can give New Zealand a run for its money.

This is one of our “Wine Wednesday” virtual tasting events, delivered over “Zoom” for an hour or so.  You can watch the recoding afterwards if you miss a week and of course there is no dedicated driver.

 Wednesday 6th April – Uruguay

Bodega Garzon Reserve Albariño 2021- Albarino is fast becoming Uruguay's signature white grape. And like its home in the Rias Baixas region of Spain, Albarino thrives on Uruguay's Atlantic coast.

The Garzon Estate is deliciously aromatic, bursting with ripe tropical fruit notes, but with plenty of acidity on the palate to keep the wine balanced and refreshing. A little ageing on its lees in untoasted French barrels also adds complexity.  Retail Price: £17.99

Vina Progreso barrel-less Tannat 2019- A wonderful expression of the Tannat grape where no oak has been used to preserve the purity of the fruit. Traditionally Tannat is aged in oak to soften the tannins, but the secret to this wine was the slow fermenting of slightly overripe, high-quality grapes in concrete tanks with a low fermenting temperature in order to extract colour, flavours and aromas but no rigid tannins.

Rich and ripe flavours of cranberries and blackberries shine through, along with smoky, plumy flavours characteristic of the Tannat variety. The finish is long and generous.  Retail Price: £23.99

Wednesday 13th April – Argentina

Colomé Salta Torrontes 2021 - This mouth-watering Torrontes is produced from vines situated in some of the highest vineyards in Argentina, in the Upper Calchaqui Valley. Bright floral and citrus notes combine with grapefruit and spice to deliver a refreshing, crisp dry Torrontes.  Retail Price £12.99

Recoleta Criolla Tinto 2019 - A lovely Criolla from Mauricio Lorca. Plenty of fresh cherry fruit with a hint of spice. Smooth and elegant and perfect when you're looking for a lighter style of red. Retail Price £10.99

Wednesday 20th April - Chile

Familia Bouchon Old Vine Pais 2020 - A fabulous expression of the Pais grape from one of Chile's leading wine families.

The nose is bursting with wild strawberry and cherry flavours with a touch of herbs and spice. The palate light and fruit driven with refreshing acidity. Retail Price £12.49

Casa Marin Litoral Pinot Noir 2019 - A fabulous Pinot Noir from Chile's San Antonio Valley. Located just 5km from the sea, the Pinot Noir vineyards in Lo Abarca benefit from cool ocean breezes and free draining, sandy loam soils.

This is a serious Pinot Noir produced from 13-year-old vines. Aromas of bright cherry and red berry, along with hints of cranberry, follow through on the palate, all wrapped up with fresh, juicy acidity. Retail Price £21.99

We do not sell wine, so we have teamed up with our friends at Momentum Wines to supply these six lovely wines to you at the discounted, delivered rate of £99.  Click here to order.

Gift Voucher

Our Gift Vouchers for fun Tastings and Courses make a perfect gift for any occasion.

  • Choose an event or £ value
  • Add your message (optional)
  • FREE Email Gift Vouchers
  • Or upgrade with a gold-embossed Gift Voucher delivered in stylish wallet
  • Valid for 24 months
  • Redeem easily at all our wine schools UK-wide – over 40 locations!
Gift Vouchers

Local Wine Schools in the Press

daily-telegraph--white

'The best wine courses and classes in the UK'

Victoria Moore
Daily Telegraph
timeout--white

'Londons loveliest wine tasting classes'

Time Out
Time Out Magazine

We're part of the Local Wine School Network

The world's fastest-growing network of independent wine schools, teaching fun, accessible wine courses at all levels – ‘wine tasting for everyone’. We also offer professional courses and qualifications for those wishing to start or develop their wine careers.

Wine Schools Franchises
Local Schol Network Map
Top