Finding Vino: Visit to Chile with Santa Rita and Carmen Wines

It has been a little while since my last post, but hopefully the wait will have been worth it as I can now report on my recent trip to Chile! I have never been to South America before and I was lucky enough to visit Chile with Santa Rita and Carmen wines. It was a fantastic week and over the next blog or two I shall let you know what I got up to!

After a long overnight flight from London to Santiago, via Madrid, we arrived at the hotel at lunchtime. We had an hour or so to relax by the pool before we headed to the Mercado Central (Central Market) for some much needed lunch! Cerviche, fried Monkfish, Calamari and a couple of King Crabs were exactly what we needed; especially as a few bottles of Santa Rita 120 Sauvignon Blanc were also on the table! Lunch was followed by a brief stroll around the old city centre and a trip up to the San Cristobal hill for some spectacular views over the city.

The following day (Monday) was met with a couple of sore heads after a few beers in Bella Vista when we hopped on our bus to visit the Apalta Valley. We were visiting the vineyards of Carmen's Reserva Syrah; a robust, fruity Syrah that was enjoyed in the vineyard. The Apalta Valley is also home to the famous Lapostelle Clos Apalta vineyards and winery. Which unfortunately we did not get to try but we did see the winery across the valley. This valley is home to some fantastic Syrah and Carmenere vines and the scenery is absolutely stunning.

Monday evening was spent in 'The Happening Restaurant', a fantastic steak house in Santiago. Dinner was enjoyed with Santa Rita's 2007 Pehuen Carmenere. The steak was good, but this wine was fantastic! I have been lucky enough to try it before, but I was reminded just how good it is. Carmenere is still a rather 'new' grape and one whose potential has not been fully realised. This wine is a great example of just how good this grape can be. Most of us who have had Carmenere have enjoyed very youthful and fruity styles. 2007 is now 7 years old and this wine really shows how Carmenere can develop into a rich, savoury, gamey style with lots of herbaceous characters as well as lots of fresh and dried fruits. This wine is a must for anyone who wants to further explore the potential of Chilean wine.

The Pehuen 2007 was awared 91 points by Wine Spectator and fully deserves the accolades. The grapes are soured from the Apalta Valley from 70 year old vines. This wine is very difficult to find in the UK but is well worth it if you can find it!

More to follow from my trip to Chile. Follow me on Twitter @roberthaynes88