Tag Archives: Chile

Decidedly Chilean

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Not quite Aussie ‘medium bodied”, but certainly more so than many BC and California Savignons. Stone fruit aromas open up to spicy tones and then a lush oaky finish.  It’s nicely structured.


The wine hails from the Coastal area of Maipo Valley, near the Maipo River – Chile’s prime wine region.  Warm days, cool nights and a dry-ish climate.  Texture and rounded tannins come from French/American oak barrel aging.


Grilled pork chops, peas, and yummy scalloped potatoes were a great accompaniment.

CABERNET SAUVIGNON – CHOCALAN RESERVA MAIPO 2018

$15.49 regularly $17.99

13.9% alcohol

UPC: 07804603660400

We like your attitude

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We’re from the North, but only 30 degrees south of the equator – in the Elqui Valley of Chile.


A couple of thousand feet up with relatively young (2-15 year old) vines. The grapes thrive in the daytime heat and cool nights.

Carmenere is actually an historic Bordeaux varietal and is often mistaken for Merlot.  

The vintner  originally hails from Veneto Italy.


It is a real gem. This Chilean Carmenere has a silky, concentrated palate, and  a dry finish that goes on and on.  It’s best served in a big glass. And continually refilled!

CARMENERE – FALERNIA GRAN RESERVA ELQUI VALLEY 2017

$16.49, regularly $19.99

14.5% alcohol

UPC: 07809623200322

I failed the blind taste test

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My thoughts were that it was from the sun soaked Mediterranean, not South America.


Chicken Pot Pie.  A worthy attempt by someone else doing the baking as we took a night off cooking.  It would have worked well with Pork Chops too.  


The Critics liked this one and there are multiple awards under their belt for it.  Deep in colour, well structured, and it carries right on through with a nice long finish.


The higher up the mountain, the greener grows the grass. And the grapes hang on to their flavour with this easy to drink vino. Touches of Syrah (4%), Carmenere (3%) and Petit Verdot (2%) round out very nicely the Cabernet Sauvignon.  Then a bit of time is spent in French and American Oak.


This is superb value from the Maipo Andes.  Definitely goes on the repeat list.

CABERNET SAUVIGNON – PEREZ CRUZ RESERVA 2017

$16.99

13.5 % Alcohol

UPC: 00858130000014

Rewarded for a return visit

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CABERNET SAUVIGNON – MONTES LA FINCA COLCHAGUA 2018

$17.99
UPC:  00628451651208
14% alcohol

We’ve been to this Vineyard before on the Goddess’ recommendation (Pinot Noir), so thought we’d return totry the Cabernet Sauvignon.  Glad we did.


Works really well with pork chops, pasta or braised meats.


This one is nicely balanced for acidity and is medium bodied with a nice smooth finish

.
There’ll be another visit to try others from this Colchagua Valley collective.

Leaping Lizards and Blasted Rocks

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Frank even put on is Class winning Chilean Marathon T Shirt to celebrate the two wines that son Kevin had brought back from Chile for our sipping pleasure.


Joan crafted a wonderful lunch in the gardens of Towler-henge.


Poor Kevin only got a glass as he was late getting home from his physio treatment.  And unfortunately, the Goddess of Wine couldn’t  join us.  So that left Frank and I to take up the torch and drink their share.

Down to what’s really important:  Two Carmeneres from Kevin’s favourite vineyards discovered during his years in Chile.  


B and Frank tended to prefer the slightly peppery 2017 Alto Tierruca Grand Reserve to the Casas del Bosque Reserve.  I liked the longer finish of the year younger Casa del Bosque.  I suspect that the vines of the Alto Tierruca are older and from a higher elevation than the Casa del Bosque. Don’t get me wrong – both were very enjoyable and we’re trying to figure out how we can get a steady supply here and on the Goddess’ approved list.

Casa del Bosque grows cool climate varietals.  In 2013 and 2014, the prestigious International Wine & Spirits Competition (IWSC) chose the winery as the “Chilean Wine Producer of the Year”.

The pricing would be mid-teens in Chile, where wines tend to be a lot less expensive than here.

You have been laying around all day ..

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not doing anything, so here’s your chance to really redeem yourself. [I’m taking to the wine, not poking at you]


First time in months, there have been mussels in the store, so they got scooped up.

Quick sauté of onion, leek, garlic and red pepper — in butter of course. Half a cup of home made veggie stock brought to a simmer, and in go the mussels.


Yes, there’s Olive bread to go with it … 


Salada is spinach, orange and date.


Now .. are you up for this? (talkin to the wine again)


You sorta did.  Mellow intro and Nice peppery finish.  But.  The Wine Goddess will have many other adventures for us to consider before I’d come back to you again for awhile.

The Andes meet a Middle East Street Market

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BC Liquor Code: 179937


$16.99 Montes Limited Edition  Pinot Noir


Chile’s Aconcagua Valley on the coast is ideal to grow Pinot.


At first sniff, I went and added more lemon juice to the Tzatziki.
At first sample, more cumin and a touch of tarragon went into the kefta mix.


This has been the toughest to evaluate.  It has left me confused – [hold thy tongue!]

It’s not Aussie Style Pinot and definitely not BC Style.  Just Different.


On its own, I can’t recommend it for just sipping.  It was light and enjoyable but doesn’t make it into the outstanding bracket.


By the time it got to be with food, it seemed to wake up and went quite well with dinner, and I did snitch a little extra.

The Tree House pairing tonight was Middle East Street Market style food.  Build your own. Lamb kebabs (baked), thin pita, with tzatziki and veggies and tabouli made with fresh local ingredients.


‘ert was cloved apricots over ice cream

This is the end of the FIRST mystery Case. There will be another!


Know anyone name Gloria?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvgd-xjR9LQ


If I turn it up loud enough, maybe she’ll come aknockin’ and bring some wine

Old Vines. Hand Harvested

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Pinot is a relatively easy grape to pick – as opposed to the smaller Gewurtztraminer. I know. I’ve picked both at Symphony Vineyard.


Code: 234901

$13.99 – a saving of $2 off the regular price.


Had a quick sample before prepping dinner to decide on how I was going to do the tenderloin.  Decided on grilled rings.


Chile does lovely Pinot Noirs and this is no exception. Casablanca Valley is where this one hails from.  Fabulous value for the money.


This pinot is light in colour – almost a pale purple.  I opened the bottle about an hour and a half before starting dinner – had a sip then.  Flavours expanded considerably by the time we sat down to eat.


Don’t walk by this one because of the goofy label.  

grilled red onion and mushrooms with the pork tendeloin; mashed yam, and pea pods.