Chilean Wine Tasting at Wine Watch

“There is truth in wine, but you never see it listed in the ingredients on the label”
― Josh Stern

I guess wine is considered to be above the law when it comes to the FDA and other organizations that regulate what we consume.  Even though most wines are made with very little other than the grapes themselves, there is no way to know based on the label, it is one of the only products that you consume that does not have a list of ingredients- even bottled water is required to have a list of ingredients today.

The best wines today are made with either: sustainable, organic or biodynamic practices and this is not only to make better wines but to maintain better vineyard health.  Just like it is bad for us humans to take antibiotics every time we have a little sniffle or cough, the vineyards are healthier and will live longer more productive lives if they are maintained with natural principles.

Like one of the top wines from Chile we will be showing at our Chilean Wine tasting on Thursday, August 8th which is made from a vineyard planted in 1890!  There are very few places where you can find old vines like this, especially ones that are planted on their own rootstock!  This wine from Neyen winery is one of the best wines that I have tasted from Chile and is on par with some of the best wines that you will find from anywhere in the world today.  This is only one of the thirty + wines that we will be showcasing this evening

I have been touting the everyday wines from Chile for a long time now but the iconic wines like this Neyen also prove to be great values in the world of fine wines.  Try to find one of Napa Valley's top level wines at under $50 today or better yet try to find something from Bordeaux that is under $50 in the classified growth section.  The wines that are considered to have the best dirt go for big bucks in most of the world's established wine growing regions but in areas like Chile's Colchagua Valley you can still find wines from top vineyard sites selling at incredible prices and this tasting contains a plethora of great values including many of the iconic wines from this South American sleeping giant. 

Check out everything that we have in the store from Chile which is also included at the end of the list of tasting wines- yes every wine on this offering before you get to the menu are the wines that we will be serving on Thursday, August 8th.

This is a walk around tasting and is limited to 45 tasters; the fee for this event is $45 + tax for reservations call 954-523-9463 or e-mail andy@winewatch.com.

Neyen Apalta Red - An Ancient vineyard producing world class wines

2014 Neyen Apalta Red Colchagua Valley
Price: $57.25      Sale $50.38         6-pack $292.00

Patrick Vallet formerly from Chateau Pavie is the Consulting winemaker at this property where the original vineyard was established in 1890, making it the oldest in the Colchagua.  The vines produce less than 1 kilo per plant, so they naturally get very very low yields, a blend of Carmenere and Cabernet Sauvignon.  A good amount of dark plum and dark cherry, currant  fruit on the nose with fresh earth, mocha, espresso and dark spices, very complex bouquet.  Velvety and silky from the Carmenere and structure from the Cabernet Sauvignon both of which come from the 1890 vines.  Neyen means "Spirit" ion the local language and this wine has some of that minerality from Chile but has lots of everything else also.  Very complex on the palate with layers of spice dark fruit and exotic spices, big and chewy but has wonderful freshness through the finish.  Finish 50+  Most Excellent

Chilean Wine Tasting at WWWB
Thursday, August 8th
7:30pm

Twenty One Wines

Echo Cabernet Sauvignon Colchagua 2017
Price: $19.50    Sale $17.16
Echo Chardonnay Colchagua 2017
Price: $18.00    Sale $15.84
Atanea Pinot Noir Colchagua 2015
Price: $20.25    Sale $17.82
Atanea Sauvignon Blanc Colchagua 2016
Price: $18.00    Sale $15.84
Cuvee del Maule Maule 2011
Price: $24.00    Sale $21.12
Leyenda Chile 2017
Price: $21.00    Sale $18.48

Republic National

Montes Twins Red Blend 2016
Price: $15.75   Sale $13.86
Montes Alpha Pinot Noir 2017
Price: $20.25   Sale $17.82
Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
Price: $20.25   Sale $17.82
Montes Purple Angel 2015
Price: $81.00   Sale $71.28
Montes Folly Syrah 2016
Price: $92.50   Sale $81.40
Montes Alpha M Colchagua Valley 2015
Price: $96.75   Sale $85.14

Southern

Prisma Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Price: $13.75       Sale $12.10

Clos de Fous Pour Guele Riesling 2017
Price: $16.75       Sale $14.74

Aupa Pipeno Red (chilled red Pais/Carignan)
Price: $13.75       Sale $12.10

Prisma Pinot Noir 2015
Price: $15.75       Sale $13.86

Laberinto Pinot Noir 2014
Price: $22.75       Sale $20.02

Roto Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Price: $15.75       Sale $13.86

Weon Carignan 2017
Price: $15.75       Sale $13.86

Breakthru

Kalfu Kuda Sauvignon Blanc
Price: $17.75    Sale $15.62    
J Bouchon País Viejo
Price: $14.75    Sale $12.98    

Winebow

Lapostolle “Le Rose” 2018
Price: $ 16.50     Sale $14.52

Lapostolle “Le Petit Clos” Red Blend 2014
Price: $57.25       Sale $50.38

Lurton Araucano Clos De Lolol Red 2015
Price: $27.00       Sale $23.76

Cousino Macul Finis Terrae 2013
Price: $26.50       Sale $23.32

Menu

Short Rib Empanadas with mole Sauce
Sausage Stuffed Green Olives with Avocado and Garlic Roasted red pepper puree
Humitas - boiled corn leaf rolls filled with seasoned ground corn and coffee robbed Pork Loin
Churrasco Flatbread with Chimichurri Sauce

This is a walk around tasting and is limited to 45 tasters; the fee for this event is $45 + tax for reservations call 954=523-9463 or e-mail andy@winewatch.com.

A little bit about the Colchagua Valley:

The Colchagua Valley is one of Chile’s best known wine regions.  Recently one of its wines took the Wine Spectator's most coveted #1 spot in the illustrious top 100 when Casa Lapostolle's Clos Apalta 2005 earned this spot in 2007.  It was named “World’s Best Wine Region 2005” by Wine Enthusiast Magazine.  This region is best known for its full-bodied Carmenere, Cabernet Sauvignons, Malbecs and Syrahs. Located approximately 110 miles south of Chile's capital city of Santiago, the Colchagua Valley occupies the southern part of the larger Rapel Valley.  Another excellent wine region but lesser-known is the Cachapoal Valley lying to the north.

Colchagua vineyards run from the Andes Mountains in the east to the Coastal Range in the west. Most of Colchagua's most important vineyards lie in the foothills of the Coastal Range, as well as the sub-regions of Apalta, Peralillo and Lolol. The Colchagua Valley has a slightly cooler climate than the Maipo Valley, but maintains a consistently Mediterranean climate, like most of Chile’s wine regions. It is located at 34°S, closer to the Equator than any European vineyard, but the Pacific Ocean brings a regular cooling influence over the valleys.

Colchagua’s red varietals - Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, Malbec and Merlot - tend to be planted in the warmer east of the region, with the white Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc varietals in the cooler, ocean-influenced west. The region is characterized by steep slopes of well-drained granitic soil, irrigated by the Tinguiririca River which flows through the valley bringing clear melt water from the Andes.

The Colchagua Valley today has around 59,000 acres planted just slightly more than the 43,000 acres found in Napa Valley.

Some of the best of Chile that is in the store right now:

2016 Montes Cherub Rose of Syrah Colchagua Valley Chile
Price: $15.75    Your Price: $13.86               Quantity in Stock: 6

2012 Haras Pirque Sauvignon Blanc Estate Mendoza
Price: $12.50    Your Price: $11.00               Quantity in Stock: 4

2013 Casa Marin Sauvignon Blanc Cipreses
Price: $25.50    Your Price: $22.44               Quantity in Stock: 2

2009 Loma Larga Sauvignon Blanc Casablanca
Price: $16.25    Your Price: $14.30               Quantity in Stock: 7

2012 Concha Y Toro Terrunyo Block 5 Sauvignon Blanc Casablanca Valley Chile
Price: $24.75    Your Price: $21.78               Quantity in Stock: 3

2015 Dos Almas Gran Reserva Pinot Noir Casablanca Valley
Price: $12.75    Your Price: $11.22               Quantity in Stock: 5

2012 Montsecano Pinot Noir Casablanca
Price: $48.75    Your Price: $42.90

2015 Montes Alpha Purple Angel Colchagua Valley
Price: $82.50    Your Price: $72.60               Quantity in Stock: 7

2013 Terra Noble Carmenere Colchagua Valley
Price: $30.00    Your Price: $26.40               Quantity in Stock: 6

2011 Coyam Red Blend
Price: $39.75    Your Price: $34.98               Quantity in Stock: 3

2013 San Pedro Altair Red Chile
Price: $81.00    Your Price: $71.28               Quantity in Stock: 2

2012 Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon Colchagua Valley Chile
Price: $21.00    Your Price: $18.48               Quantity in Stock: 2

2014 Santa Ema Amplus One Cachapoal Valley
Price: $22.50    Your Price: $19.80               Quantity in Stock: 3

2009 Vina Carmen Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Reserve Maipo Valley
Price: $16.50    Your Price: $14.52               Quantity in Stock: 1

2016 Vina Almaviva Chile
Price: $165.50    Your Price: $145.64          Quantity in Stock: 3

2006 Vina Almaviva Puente Alto Chile
Price: $165.00    Your Price: $145.20          Quantity in Stock: 1

2011 Santa Ema Amplus One Estate Cachapoal Valley Chile
Price: $22.25    Your Price: $19.58               Quantity in Stock: 1

2011 Cousino Macul Antiguas Reservas Cabernet Sauvignon Maipo Valley
Price: $17.00    Your Price: $14.96               Quantity in Stock: 6

2011 Errazuriz Don Maximiano Founders Reserva Aconcagua Valley
Price: $100.00    Sale Price: $85.00              Quantity in Stock: 1