This show actually aired on October 21 and the Rhone white wines on October 28, but at least I got both uploaded . . . sigh! Anyway this show was about our first scary wine for Halloween, and an excuse to cover Chilean wines which are always on my radar and the one I chose is extremely popular. Since it hails from Chile, we’ll also explore this southern hemisphere wine region.
Chile Wines: Scarily Good
Chilean wines offer a good QPR when you know what to buy. Since most of her wine regions are little-known by many wine buyers, they are seldom the first wines grabbed off the shelf. We’d like to change that.
Spanish missionaries planted the first grapes in the 1550s so Chile has a long history of wine making. The first grape planted is locally called Pais, technically the Listan Prieto grape, which is also known as the Mission grape since its plantings were all at missions. This is also a principal grape used in Sherry production. Since there have been no incursions of the phylloxera louse, Chile has the oldest native rootstock vineyards in the world.
- Chile is now the fifth largest exporter of wines in the world, and the seventh largest producer.
Chilean Growing Zones
Chile is typically less than 200km (125 miles) wide so the Pacific Ocean impresses a maritime climate, but the presence of the Andes generates another influence and this forms three distinct growing zones that impact many of the wine regions.
- Costas regions are perfect for cool climate grapes: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir
- Entre Cordilleras regions are the warm inland valleys and perfect for Bordeaux blends
- Los Andes regions in the higher elevations shape wines of structure and higher acidity; leading to unique examples of Bordeaux and Rhone blends.
Chile wine regulations
Chilean wine regulations are similar to US AVAs and labeling laws, except they’d be CVAs. Chile uses a Denomination of Origin (D.O.) system to designate specific regions throughout the country. A wine must contain 75% of the grape and vintage year if so labeled, but for export it must be 85%. There are no restrictions on viticultural practices or grape varietals. Among several labeling terms used to add further definition to a wine’s style are:
- Wines labeled Reserva and Reserva Especial must have a minimum 12% ABV,
- Wines labeled “Reserva Privada” and “Gran Reserva” requires a minimum 12.5% ABV.
- In addition, “Reserva Especial” and “Gran Reserva” wines spend mandatory time in oak
Chilean Wine Regions
Some wine regions are in one growing zone, many span all three. There are six broad wine regions, each containing distinctive sub regions. However our focus will be the Aconcagua and Central Valley D.O.s which comprise over 90% of total vineyard acreage.
- Aconcagua DO region has 10% of total acreage, spanning all growing zones
- Casablanca Valley and San Antonio Valley are in the Costas zone and known for quality Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir wines.
- Aconcagua Valley is known for Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah
- Central Valley DO region has 80% of total acreage and spans all three growing zones. It’s located around Santiago running south for 500 km (310 miles). It grows all the main grape types.
- Rapel Valley & Curico Valley include Costas & inland valleys
- Colchagua, Maule & Maipo Valleys known for their Bordeaux blends
For your consideration: Casillero del Diablo 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, 13.5% ABV, $9-14
From the Valle Central D.O. and produced by Concha Y Toro, one of the biggest and most prestigious wineries in Chile; founded in 1883 by Don Melchor. This particular wine has a fascinating story or legend as well, and a cool video explaining it here: https://www.casillerodeldiablo.com/the-legend/.
As the story goes, more than a hundred years ago the founder of the winery, Don Melchor Concha y Toro, hid his prized collection of wines in his personal cellar protected behind a wrought iron gate. However, over time he began to notice that bottles would strangely disappear. It seemed his secret cellar was no longer so secret, and that the townspeople, having heard of his exquisite wines, couldn’t resist the temptation to sneak into his cellar and steal a bottle or two.
Needing a new way to safeguard his treasure, Don Melchor turned to local folklore. Knowing that superstitions and otherworldly phenomena were feared by the local people, he spread the rumor of strange nighttime events that could only be explained by a simple fact: that the devil inhabited his cellars. Fuelled by the locals’ imagination, each sound in the cellar—every echo, shadow, and shape—gave weight to the story.
This is the story of the legend whose protagonist gave their wines a unique name. Casillero del Diablo: a portfolio destined to become one of the most famous Chilean wine brands in the world.
This is a wine that delivers with flavors of cherry and blackcurrant, together with a subtle touch of vanilla. On the palate it has a medium body with marked tannins, which lead to a long finish. Vintages have typically been around 90 points. A scary wine that tastes good, is well-priced and wrapped in a classy bottle, what more do you need for Halloween?
The winery has six winemakers and sources grapes from Maule, Maipo, Limari, Rapel and Casablanca Valleys. That should give you some idea of the size of Concha Y Toro.
Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon is their flagship wine and one of the most awarded wines in the world. The 2018 vintages received a perfect 100 points from James Suckling. I’ve tasted this wine at various major wine tasting events and I love it. Don Melchor 2017, rated 99 Points is $120 at our local Total Wines.
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