This post contributed by David Bowden
Chilean wines are well known in Malaysia, with Chile having a long history of growing grapes and producing wines. This South American nation is now the world’s sixth biggest wine-producing nation, after Australia but ahead of Argentina, and contributes 5% to the global wine lake.
The Spanish introduced grapevines when they conquered the land in the 16th century. Religion and the need for sacramental wines resulted, and wine estates were established by the Spanish. Jesuit priests were responsible for cultivating these early vineyards, with production being turned into altar wine as well as the spirit pisco. In the 19th century, French varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carménère, and Cabernet Franc were introduced and now dominate red wine production.
Wine production bubbled along until the 1980s, when new technology was introduced to winemaking. Investment dollars rolled in, new vineyards were planted out, the latest maturation facilities were installed, and foreign winemaking skills were welcomed in the renaissance of the Chilean wine industry. Quantity and quality escalated at a meteoric rate to put a smile on the faces of global wine consumers. In the 1980s, wines from the Southern Hemisphere took off in Europe’s mature wine markets. Australia led the charge, and South America and South Africa soon stepped up to the plate. However, increasing prices for popular Australian wines saw Chile step into the breach.
Chile is now known for producing high-quality wines at reasonable prices. (Lesser known are its blockbuster fine wines, which carry lofty price tags, but can compete quite favourably with many of the world’s top wines.) While some of the world’s leading wines are produced here by estates such as Antiyal, Casa Lapostolle, Viña Casablanca, Viña Cousiño Macul, Viña El Principal, Montes, and Viñedos Organicos Emiliana, here we are sampling four value-for-money Chilean reds produced by Mancura, Veramonte, Morandé, and Viña Neyen de Apalia. Serve these reds at about 16°C, which in most situations in Malaysia means a little refrigeration before serving.
Mancura Etnia Cabernet Sauvignon
This good-value Cabernet is a tribute to the Condor of the Andes, the world’s largest flying bird. The Condor is also seen as a guardian of the earth, and Mancura is a sustainable and socially responsible winery. Mancura sources grapes for this label from the nation’s wine powerhouse of the Central Valley, and the label is part of the Morandé Group. This is a very accessible wine that is made for drinking now. It has been made to appeal to consumers who like their wines fresh and fruity, with soft and friendly tannins. It has a bright ruby-red colour, and pronounced blackberry aromas on the nose with hints of chocolate and leather. In the mouth, the wine is soft and fruity, perfectly balanced with fine, brooding tannins. This wine is perfect for everyday drinking with dishes like pasta with a red meat sauce, a barbeque, or grilled spicy chicken.
Producer: Mancura
Style: Ethnicity
Region: Valle Central
Vintage: 2023
Grape Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon
Alcohol Content: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Price: RM69
Veramonte Reserva Merlot
This wine has its origins in the Casablanca Valley, located just east of the Pacific Ocean. The gentle ocean breezes provide a moderating effect on blistering summers, and the particular characteristics of the soils have proven to be the ideal conditions for the sustainable cultivation of this variety and style. Reserva on a Chilean wine label indicates that the wine has spent at least six months in oak barrels; Gran Reserva means at least 12 months. This wine spends some eight months in neutral French oak barrels before bottling and distribution to eager consumers around the globe. It has intense aromas of blackberry and raspberry, hints of spices, and subtle toasting. This intensity continues on the palate, with big flavours and rounded tannins. While not a complicated wine, there will be few complaints as it is an easy-drinking one. It is also vegan-friendly and pairs well with grilled vegetables. Others will enjoy the wine with pasta, red meats, and local dishes such as beef rendang.
Producer: Veramonte
Style: Reserva Merlot
Region: Casablanca Valley
Vintage: 2019
Grape Varieties: Merlot
Alcohol Content: 14%
Closure: Cork
Price: RM97
Morandé Vitis Única Cabernet Sauvignon
Vitis Única is a portfolio of traditional varieties from outstanding origins made with non-conventional winemaking techniques. Through the selection of specific sectors within each of its Morandé estates, Vitis Única offers a wine with impressive complexity, structure, and elegance. The fruit for this Cabernet Sauvignon comes from selected plots of the San Bernardo Vineyard in the higher parts (400-760 m above sea level) of the Maipo Valley (Alto Maipo), one of the most renowned wine-producing valleys in Chile. The growing conditions here are perfect for Bordeaux varieties, especially Cabernet Sauvignon (other Bordeaux varieties are Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec, and Carménère). The dominant climatic influence of the Andes Mountains and the nutrient-poor alluvial soils enable the production of elegant wines. This Vitis Única Cabernet Sauvignon undergoes barrel aging for some 18 months in 80% French lightning (large oak barrels between 2,000 and 12,000 litres) and 20% in barrels (225 litres). This produces a fresh wine with greater acidity in relation to its peers, and despite its relatively long aging, it presents outstanding value in terms of price-quality. The resultant wine is deep cherry red in colour and has aromas of plums, blackcurrants, and cherries, with spicy notes of fresh tobacco, cinnamon, and roasted coffee beans. It is a well-rounded wine with abundant velvety tannins and persistent flavours.
Enjoy this wine with rich stews, duck, venison, most red meats, and aged cheeses. ‘D.O.’ on the label means Denomination of Origin, indicating that the grapes have been sourced from a specific location.
Producer: Morande
Style: Unique Vitis
Region: DO Valle Del Maipo
Vintage: 2022
Grape Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon
Alcohol Content: 14%
Closure: Cork
Price: RM114
Viña Neyen by Apalia Primus Carménère
The iconic Primus Carménère is now part of the Veramonte portfolio after the signing of a deal with the smaller Viña Neyen de Apalta estate, located in the prime Apalta sub-valley of the Colchagua Valley. Viña Neyen de Apalta produces outstanding Carménère and Cabernet Sauvignon wines and blends from grapes grown organically along old terraces on the Tinguiririca River. Neyen de Apalta was founded in 1970 but didn’t begin exporting wines until the 2003 vintage, which earned 90 points on release. The property is located at the far eastern end of the Apalta Valley and is a neighbour to famous wineries such as Viña Montes and Casa Lapostolle. Carménère originates from Bordeaux and ended up in Chile, where winemakers thought it was Merlot until 1994. It has even been referred to as the ‘lost grape of Bordeaux.’ Chile has taken ownership and now proudly markets the wine as Chile’s own. Carménère is the deepest, darkest, and purplest of all the red grape varieties, so look forward to a wine of ink-like intensity. It also has a big aroma, which provides great anticipation on the palate. Many wines, like Carménère, need to settle down after extracting the cork to enable them to ‘breathe’ and allow the wine to oxygenate before serving. This wine stands out for its rich fruit flavours, hints of pepper, mellow tannins, and a long finish. Like many reds, it is best to drink Carménère with food, and it’s perfect with roast lamb, a flavoursome Indian curry, or maybe even a banana leaf curry.
Producer: Viña Neyen de Apalia
Style: Primus Carménère
Region: DO Apalta Colchagua Valley
Vintage: 2021
Grape Varieties: Carménère
Alcohol Content: 14%
Closure: Cork
Price: RM134
Featured image: Vineyards in Chile | Credit to Wineries & Vineyards
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