Chile

…in two rather different styles Villalobos Viñedo Silvestre Carignan 2012, Colchagua, Chile (~£18 Les Caves de Pyrene) I like the floral daintiness here, with a whiff of hops alongside the slightly smoky blackcurrant flavours, but there’s also something a little confected – do they still make Cola Spangles? – plus […]

Two Chilean Carignans

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Trentham Estate Pinot Noir 2014, Murray Darling, Australia (£10.99 Booths) It’s an OK glass of wine, with slightly jammy raspberry flavours and a touch of mint, but apart from the pale colour, I’d never have had it as Pinot Noir. C(+) Escarpment ‘The Edge’ Pinot Noir 2014, Martinborough, New Zealand […]

Pinot Noir from Australia, New Zealand & Chile

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Miguel Torres Santa Digna Estelado Rosé Sparkling NV, Secano Interior*, Chile (£14.49 Cambridge Wines, Telford Wines, The Wine Store, Windermere Wine Stores, Roberts & Speight) Crisp, gentle style, with plenty of fresh strawberry flavour and a lightly dusty, even sandy edge to the finish. (B+) Miguel Torres Reserva de Pueblo […]

Talking Pais with Miguel Torres Jr

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De Martino Viejas Tinajas Muscat 2013, Itata Valley, Chile (£13-£14 Les Caves de Pyrene, Whole Foods Market, Winemakers Club, Exel Wines, Bijou Bottles) It’s the heady, heavy grapiness you notice first, along with an exotic Gewürz-like rose petal and lychee character. Then a clay-like terracotta roof tile earthiness makes its […]

Aromatic White Wines from Chile

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Let’s see if we can understand why the Chileans mistook Carmenère for Merlot for so long… Montes Alpha Merlot 2012, Colchagua Valley, Chile (£12.99 Philglas & Swiggot, D.Byrne) Typical Chilean imprint of blackcurrant pastilles, also note sof rosehip and mulberry, but while the fruit is generally quite juicy, there’s also […]

Merlot and Carmenère – can you tell the difference?

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