Central Valley Chile, Curico Valley Harvest 2014

For our Spring 2014 Chilean winemaking we are featuring Curico Valley Grapes. Below, you will find a list of our featured varietals.  Each has characteristics that can lend suitably to your crafting a stand-alone varietal wine or creating your own special blend. The possibilities are endless when one contemplates the combinations of grapes. Whether your winemaking interest lies in crafting a Bordeaux style wine… or making a more exotic blend hint of Meritage or Opus One, the winemaking options using grapes imported from Chile are endless  and only limited by your palate and imagination.

Remember, it is in the ‘grape’ that the mystery and joys of Chilean wine can be found!

If you have never made Chilean wines, there are quite a few Chilean grape varietals to select from:

Red Grape Varieties:

Cabernet Sauvignon tops our list of red Chilean wine grapes. The wine made from this grape is typically full bodied, dark in color, high in tannin levels, and has a dry mouth feel. Sensory descriptors include blackcurrants, chocolate, and tobacco.

Carmenere is a grape that produces a medium bodied wine that is bright red in color, lower in tannins for a softer mouth feel. Sensory descriptors include red fruits, berries, and spices. 

Malbec holds high prominence among red wine grapes grown in Chile. As a stand-alone wine, Malbec is a medium bodied, deep, rich and dark purple in color, with smooth tannin levels. Malbec can be blended with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon to create the very popular Bordeaux-style wines. Sensory descriptors include violets and plums, tart red fruits and earthy minerality.

Merlot is a lush, blue colored grape. Merlot wines have a characteristic intense and vibrant red fruit flavors, soft tannins, and are medium bodied. Sensory descriptors include black cherry, blueberry and plum.    

Pinot Noir gets its name from the French words for ‘pine’ that describes the pine-coned cluster of grapes… and ‘black’ for the grape color. It produces a smooth, light-to-medium bodied wine. Sensory descriptors include raspberry, cherry, strawberry, and clove. 

Syrah (Shiraz) is a dark skinned grape primarily used to make a full bodied, tannic, distinctive varietal wine. It is also used in blends typified in the Bordeaux style wines. Sensory descriptors include blackberries, plums, black pepper, tobacco, and espresso.

White Grape Varieties:

Chardonnay is a green skinned grape that produces a white wine that many describe as fresh and delicate. Sensory descriptors include melon, apple, pineapple, pears, lemon and if oaked can hint of vanilla.

Sauvignon Blanc is a green skinned grape that originated from the Bordeaux region of France. Sauvignon Blanc is a pale colored medium bodied wine with intense flavor. Sensory descriptors include tropical fruits, pineapple, lemon, citric fruits.

Pinot Gris is a white wine grape that is believed to be a mutant clone of Pinot Noir. The cluster of grapes resembles a pine cone…described by the French word for pine or ‘pinot’.  ‘Gris’ means gray in French which describes the grayish-blue color of the grapes. It generally is light bodied, can be fruity. Sensory descriptors include pear, apple, melon, and mango.

Viognier is a white wine grape. Typically, the wine is dry but rich in texture. Sensory descriptors include peach, apricots, and pear.

If you are looking for a unique and special wine to enjoy yourself, share with friends or gift for that special occasion… consider Chilean winemaking!

Chilean Winemaking Sessions: May 1st through June 15th 2014

Call us now at 732-851-6800 to select your wine, reserve your grapes, and schedule your winemaking experience!

Please note “Time is of the essence”: Grapes need to be ordered as soon as possible, sessions are filling up quickly so reservations are required, and the window for Spring Chilean Winemaking is limited.

Get in on the fun and experience of winemaking!