Favourite Chilean Wines

I was lucky enough to be invited to two trade tastings of Chilean wines before the big consumer event this week. To read my article on the event click here: http://www.foodvancouver.com/article.php?article=chile

Here are some of my favourites...

Montes Alpha Chardonnay is creamy and complex with a hint of asparagus. This is a great wine to try with foods that are hard to pair with. The Alpha Syrah is herbaceous, meaty, earthy, and downright terrific. Their Cherub Syrah Rose is on its way to BC liquor stores, and will surely be enjoyed by the bucket load as a sipper and paired with just about anything. Light strawberry in colour it’s a bit off dry with crisp fruitiness. Between the great product, the trendiness of Roses, and the uber cool label this is going to be a major hit.

Anakena’s Single Vineyard Viognier is fabulous value at $17.50. It’s floral with orange blossom, tangerine, white pepper and a bit of stone. Their Riesling is developing a hint of petrol on the nose and has good acidity to balance its floral fruitiness. The late harvest Muscat-Viognier is honeyed and floral with dried apricot flavours.

When you’re ready for a special night try anything from Casa Marin. Their 2004 Laurel and 2005 Cipresses Sauvignon Blancs are big and complex with rich minerality, with the Laurel showing more fruit. The 2003 Litoral Pinot Noir was a bit floral on the nose with great red berry flavours with lots of cherry, and some earthiness. The 2003 Lo Arbaca Hills Pinot Noirs was silky smooth and smoky with intense earthiness and a very long finish.