Page Three of Chile, Part 2: Recommended Wines That Are Easy to Like, Easy on Your Pocketbook
Veranda began as a joint venture in 2002 between the Ibáñez family’s VC Family Estates, still its parent company, and Burgundy’s Boisset family. The intention was to unite the innovation of Chile with the experience of Burgundy. While Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenère are grown in the prestigious, temperate Mediterranean-climate Apalta district, Veranda produces cool-climate varieties — Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir — from its Bío Bío Valley vineyards.
Veranda opted for a base in Bío Bío because of various geographic factors — its latitude, climate, assorted soils, rivers, volcanoes and maritime influences — that combine to provide an excellent home for cold-climate-loving varieties. Many experts think Bío Bío is South America’s most promising viticultural area for Pinot Noir, which is one of Chile’s up-and-coming varietals. And Veranda aims to become a leading Pinot Noir specialist in Chile. To that end, Veranda works with veteran Burgundy winemaker Pascal Marchand. They’re committed to sustainable, organic and some biodynamic practices.
Two of its wines, below, won Best in Category awards at the 6th Annual Wines of Chile Awards held in January in Santiago.
Pinot Noir Casablanca Valley-Bío Bío Valley 2007, $18: Medium bodied, soft tannins; Aromas and flavors: Strawberry , raspberry, cherry, spice and mineral notes
Cabernet/Carménère Apalta Valley 2007, $18: Well structured, firm tannins, juicy acidity; Aromas and flavors: Blackcurrant, blackberries and plums
Bodegas Viu, a wine-bottling and -marketing company, was founded in 1935 by Miguel Viu Garcia with his sons Agustín and Miguel. In 1954 one son, Miguel Viu Manent, went out on his own and bought a winery that included 370 acres of noble vines, creating Viu Manent. The winery has expanded over the years, and today has vineyards throughout Colchagua. In 1988 enologist Aurelio Montes (see Montes, Page 2) was hired as consultant. In 2003 winemaker Grant Phelps arrived from New Zealand, bringing a spirit of Kiwi innovation.
Phelps was attracted in part by Viu’s old-vine Malbec, which was planted in the late 1800s. When everyone in Chile was pulling out their Malbec vines in the 1990s and planting varietals more familiar to consumers abroad, Viu Manent was nurturing its Malbec, which has become a speciality today.
In 2004 Viu launched Secreto, its reasonably priced, boldly labeled line that’s 85% varietal and 15% undisclosed, or “secret,” additions. It hoped to extend the winery’s range and attract new consumers. Today Viu has six lines: Icon wine (Viu 1), Single Vineyard, Reserve, Estate Collection, Noble Semillon and Secreto.
Secreto Malbec Colchagua Valley 2007, $14: Robust, supple tannins; Aromas and flavors: black plum, blackcurrant, black cherry, prune, chocolate and mocha
Malbec Reserva 2007, $14: Round but firm tannins; Aromas and flavors: Black cherry, blackcurrant, plum, boysenberry, chocolate and mocha
©2009 Sharon Kapnick for Seniorwomen.com
Part One — Chile Is Hot: Good-Value, Familiar-Varietal Wines Grab Consumers’ Attention
