Cool wines from Chile
In recent years, Chile has been producing consistently good wines and some of
their reds are considered the best value anywhere. For daily wines they are
excellent and among the cheapest wines you can buy here in Thailand. Chile is no
newcomer to wine either, for they’ve been making it since the 16th
century. There are now over seventy wineries in Chile and the country has become
the fifth largest exporter of wines in the world.
Ventisquero Clแsico Sauvignon Blanc 2009 (white),
Chile. (Friendship, Bt. 425)
Vi๑a Ventisquero began production in 1998, with the aim of
making a wide range of distinctive, modern, top-quality wines. Since then, the
company has become one of Chile’s most successful wine producers and during the
last five years it has won many accolades. Their vineyards lie in Chile’s best
wine-producing areas and their wine-making team in the Maipo Valley is led by
Head Winemaker Felipe Tosso. He joined the company in 2000 after seriously
considering alternate careers as a tennis pro and classical guitarist. He
describes winemaking as, “One of my big passions because it’s more than work -
it’s a lifestyle.”
This Sauvignon Blanc (SOH-vee-nyon BLAHN) is a
greenish-yellow colour and has a lovely fresh, grassy aroma with hints of lemon
and herbs. There’s even a suggestion of bananas and pineapples. Sauvignon Blanc
generally has a bit more “bite” than Chardonnay, so if your palette is becoming
jaded with the ever-present Chardonnay, give this one a try. The fresh taste
comes as a pleasant surprise, because some Sauvignon Blancs are so astringent
they can make you shudder. But not this one. At just 12.5% alcohol, it has a
light smooth body and good fruit. It’s pretty dry of course, but the makers have
gone easy on the acid, so that it doesn’t dominate the taste. There’s a good
long lemony aftertaste, which makes me feel that the wine could partner some
fish dishes, omelets or even lightly prepared chicken. It would work well with
some Thai food too, provided that the dishes are not too fiery. Drink it as cold
as you dare.
Cantavida Cabernet Sauvignon
2008 (red), Chile. (Villa, Bt. 429)
The black Cabernet Sauvignon grape (ka-bair-NAY soh-vee-NYON)
hails from Bordeaux, where it’s traditionally used to make the world’s top range
clarets. These days, it is grown in almost every major wine-producing country.
This deep ruby-red wine has a powerful fruity aroma of ripe cherries which
fairly hits you on the nose. But behind the cherries are more subtle hints of
tropical fruit and peppery herbs. There’s also a pleasing suggestion of waxy
crayons, which is more appealing than it sound. Taste the wine (when you’re
finally done with the sniffing) and you’ll probably notice the amazing smooth
mouth-feel; almost silky in texture. The wine is fairly dry, with loads of
flavour and a near-perfect balance of fruit and light tannins. There is a good
longish aftertaste too, usually the sign of a well-made wine.
The makers have wisely opted for a screw-top closure, so
there’s no cork to pull. I would suggest that you open the bottle about half an
hour in advance and stick it in the fridge to “firm-up” the body. With its hints
of oak, and 13% alcohol content, this is very much a food wine; red meat or
fairly rich pasta dishes spring to mind. It could also go well with a rich
quiche or assertive cheese dishes..
