Portland Wine Cellars Summer Series
Summer is fast approaching and for wine drinkers that means a change from autumn and winters heavy rich and full bodied wines to light, crisp and soft drinking wines. These wines will often show more light fruit characters and flavours in the reds, while the whites and roses will bring crispness and floral side that is perfect for summer. Over the summer we will showcase 6 countries, explaining some of the history, the regions and role they play in the wine as well as spotlighting our favourite summer wines from the country.
July - Chile
Chile is one of the most exciting wine-producing countries in the world, featuring over 30 official grape varieties. Stretching over 2,600 miles from north to south, Chile benefits from a remarkable range of climates and landscapes, producing everything from crisp Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay to rich Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah.
Central Valley
The Central Valley was first inhabited by diverse indigenous groups, notably the agricultural Araucanian Mapuche peoples, who were the first to farm the rich soils. The first signs of viticulture are seen around the 16th century when Spanish colonizers first brought vine cuttings from Europe to produce sacramental and table wine. Chile’s wine industry grew to be a renowned cheap export into the 17th and 18th centuries.
Chile gained independence from Spain in 1818 and by 1850's the first French varietal vines were starting to be planted in Chile due to rich landowning Chileans who had travelled to France and wanted to bring back what they had experienced. This ultimately was a stroke of good fortune because the phylloxera blight devastated European vines shortly after. As a result Chile has almost all of the pre phylloxera clones and some of the oldest vines in the world and Chile is the only wine country never to be hit by phylloxera.
Regional Wine Styles
- Red wines range from light and fruit driven with hints of plum and cherry, to dark big and powerful rich flavours of chocolate, vanilla and coffee.
- White wines are crisp fruit forward wines that have an acidic edge and mineral quality with an aromatic or dry flavour profile that can be either barrel aged that would give a buttery note to the wine or non barrel aged.
- Rose and sparkling wines are made from red grapes using short skin maceration. They offer a range of flavours from vibrant profile of red summer berries, refreshing acidity, and a smooth, balanced finish to darker spicy wines with bigger, heavier notes.
Our Favourite Wines From Central Valley
Senora Rosa Merlot
£9.75
Out of stock
Senora Rosa Sauvignon Blanc
£9.75
History:
Until the 1980s, the Casablanca Valley was primarily used for grazing livestock and growing wheat. Then a visionary winemaker named Pablo Morande noted the areas striking similarity to coastal California. Despite industry missgivings in 1982 he planted an experimental 20 hectare plot. It worked and soon the region was transformed in to Chiles premiere cool climate epicentre. Founded in 1992, Vina Casablanca quickly established itself as the winery of the valley, being one of the few to build its physical production facilities right in the heart of the appellation.
Tasting Notes:
Senora Rosa Merlot: This wine shows a bright raspberry red colour with strawberry and raspberry notes. The wine has a fruity, full bodied and well balanced palate with a nice smooth finish.
Senora Rosa Sauvignon Blanc: A bright appearance and floral and citrus aromas lead to a soft yet fruity palate with a soft clean finish.
Food Matches:
Senora Rosa Merlot: Ideal with red and white meats, cheeses and pasta dishes.
Senora Rosa Sauvignon Blanc: Ideal as an appetiser or served with seafood and white meats.
Tierra Del Rey Merlot
£8.95
History:
The Central Valley is set in between the majestic Andes Mountains and the mighty Pacific Ocean, making it an ideal location for growing grapes. The mountains protect the wine region by creating dry, hot climatic conditions and the cold ocean breezes keep the vines cool. This combination produces full flavoured wines whilst maintaining that all important acidity essential to make perfectly balanced wines.
Tasting Notes:
Deep ruby in colour, this Chilean Merlot encompasses aromas of rich black cherry and plum, displaying further complexity on the palate with hints of cedar and dark chocolate. Medium bodied and well balanced with a rich, pleasing finish.
Food Matches:
Best served at room temperature as an aperitif or an accompaniment to a rich Beef Bourguignon.
Valparaiso
The Valparaíso wine region is anchored by the Casablanca Valley. Situated just 50 miles north west of Santiago and next to the historic port city of Valparaíso, the region is renowned for cool climate, world class white wines. Its vineyards thrive thanks to cooling coastal breezes and morning fogs drawn in from the Pacific Ocean.
Regional Wine Styles
- Red wines are split between the styles of cool climate vineyards that produce light and medium bodied yet highly aromatic and fruity wines to the warmer inland vineyards that produce a heavier full bodied wine characterized by bold tannis, concentrated dark fruit and rich flavours such as cocoa.
- White wines are bright and distinct with acidic qualities. Can also a wide range of flavour profiles from zesty light fruit through to more mineral flavours and even oaky buttery notes with flavours such as vanilla appearing.
- Rose wines have notes of light fruit such as strawberry and floral undertones, while sparkling wines range from dry to sweet contrasted by flavours of citrus, light fruit such as green apple through to creamy and crisper wines.
Our Favourite Wine From Valparaiso
Caliterra Chardonnay
£13.70
History:
Founded in 1996, Vina Caliterra is a renowned Chilean winery born from a partnership between the Mondavi family and Vina Errazuriz. They created the partnership with the shared goal of creating high quality, ecologically friendly wines that capture the raw potential of Chile's unique terroir. Vineyards were first planted in 1997 and featured a mix of Bordeaux and Rhone varieties. The estate is naturally protected by Lake Rapel, the Pacific Ocean, and the Andes, providing a Mediterranean climate with cooling coastal breezes ideal for producing high end red varieties.
Tasting Notes:
A beautiful bright pale yellow colour, this wine is complex and elegant on the nose. Floral aromas of orange blossom and fruits such as pineapple and white peach are accompanied by elegant notes of white pepper, butter and soft mineral touches. The palate is balanced and mineral, with rich acidity and good persistence on the palate, its great freshness and liveliness make this wine ideal to accompany the day to day.
Food Matches:
Grilled and Roasted White Meats, Fish/Shellfish, Pizza/Pasta, Salads and Picnic, Mild Creamy Cheeses. Great with grilled cod.