September 27 th, Worcester Chapter

Transcription

1 September 27 th, 2014 Worcester Chapter

2 Agenda Greeting wine/introductions Wine education/discussion Wine tasting with appetizers Exchange dollars for wine Test AWS announcements Mystery wine (thanks Jean!) Wine and friendly discussion

3 2013 Los Vascos Chardonnay Grape variety: 100% Chardonnay Vineyards: Colchagua Valley, Colchagua Andes, and Casablanca Valley Alcohol: 14% Harvest: March 11 th 15 th 2013 in the early morning Fermentation: stainless steel vats at controlled temperatures between 57º and 61º Production: 35,000 cases Tasting notes: ripe pineapple, fresh banana, stewed Asian pumpkin and white flowers. On the palate, it combines freshness and volume with a pleasantly balanced finish Ratings: 90 Points James Suckling

4 Overview Low costs, lack of vine pests and diseases US market only sees the wines from a few major producers Concha y Toro, San Pedro, Montes, Emiliana, Veramonte, Lapostolle and Santa Rita account for over 55% of the Chilean wine Concha y Toro, controls a third of the market Chile has no laws governing blends, like in Bordeaux, or traditions, like in Tuscany, they just have the creativity and innovation of the winemaker Appellation system, known as its Denomination of Origin (Denominación de Origen) or D.O. Chile s wine heritage is connected to Bordeaux Major grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Carménère thousands of acres of Moscatel grapes dedicated to the production of pisco

5 Wine Regions of Chile

6 Wine Regions of Chile (North)

7 Wine Regions of Chile (South)

8 Investments in Chile Lafite Rothschild (Los Vascos, Almaviva) William Févre (Févre) Bruno Pats (Aquitania) Robert Mondavi (Errazuriz) Quintessa (Veramonte, Neyen) Antinori (Albis) O. Fournier (O. Fournier)

9 Concha y Toro 1718 King Felipe V of Spain named Don José de Santiago Concha y Salvatierra Marqués de Casa Concha a title for his service as Governor of Chile Founded by Don Melchor de Santiago Concha y Toro in 1883 Don José de Santiago Concha y Salvatierra s descendant and the 7 th Marquis of the Casa Concha lineage Businessman, lawyer, Chilean politician and Marquis of Casa Concha by the Spanish Crown 1869 Minister of Finance nominated by Chilean President José Joaquín Pérez 1886 Elected to the Senate Brought grape varieties from the Bordeaux region in France: Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon blanc, Sémillon, Merlot, and Carmenère and hired a French winemaker Largest producer of wines from Latin America Exporting to 135 countries worldwide Owns 23,500 acres of vineyards The company has 3,162 employees and is headquartered in Santiago, Chile Also makes entry level wine Casillero del Diablo 1994 Concha y Toro became the first winery in the world to have its shares publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange

10 Marcelo Papa Spent five years at Kendall-Jackson 1998 joined Concha y Toro, mandate to reinvigorate Casillero del Diablo 1999 given responsibility of the Marqués de Casa Concha wines 1999 chief winemaker of Puente Alto wines 2005 Chile s Winemaker of the Year by the Chilean Wine Guide 2007 Chile s Winemaker of the Year by the Association of Food & Wine Writers of Chile While at first I might come across as a cool Chilean, at heart I am very passionate, in keeping with my entirely Italian heritage, and it s that Italian passion that drives everything I do. Passion plus perfectionism, the Chilean in me, are core to my philosophy on life.

11 Enrique Tirado 1993 joined Concha y Toro 1997 made chief winemaker of super premium and ultra premium labels 1997 joint venture with Château Mouton Rothschild to create Almaviva 1999 sole winemaker of Don Melchor 2002 conducted the first study of soil and terroir in Chile Don Melchor 2001 and 2003 vintages both received 4 th place in Wine Spectator s Top 100 Wines of the World His aim with Don Melchor is to show an expression of the vineyard, not an international style

12 Left Glass Right Glass 2006 Concha y Toro Marques de Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 Concha y Toro Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon

13 2006 Concha y Toro Marques de Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon Grape variety: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon Vineyard: single-vineyard: Puente Alto in the Maipo Valley Vine age: years Soil: alluvial, stony, poor in nutrients and highly permeable Climate: semiarid Mediterranean, and influenced by the Andes coolest part of the Maipo Valley Harvest: hand selected. 3 rd week of April 1 st week of May Aging: 18 months in French oak barrels, 40% new Food pairing: red meats, cheeses, and hearty pasta dishes Tasting notes: cherry, chocolate, black tar, smoke, smooth, almost silky texture with a long finish. Concentrated and full bodied Ratings: W&S: 91, WS: 90, WE: 90

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15 2004 Concha y Toro Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon Grape varieties: 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc Vineyard: 7 parcels at 2,100 feet 3 rd terrace on the north bank of the Maipo River in the Puente Alto Soil: alluvial, stony, poor in nutrients and highly permeable Climate: semi-arid Mediterranean, and influenced by the Andes coolest part of the Maipo Valley Production: Only 21 vintages. Only made in great years Harvest: hand picked between mid-april and the beginning of May. Only healthy, ripe, intact grapes are selected Aging: 16 months in French oak barrels, 66% new. Barrels from Allier, Tronçais and Nevers. Another year in the bottle before release. Food pairing: hearty dishes, especially lamb and steak Tasting notes: Red fruit, prunes, spices and cassis mingle with hints of chocolate, tobacco and cedar. Red fruits are also prominent on the palate. Striking tannin ripeness adds to the wine s concentration and body, and also contributes its elegance and harmony. Ratings: WS: 93, WA: 94

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18 History 1548 vitis vinifera planted in the north of Chile in the wake of the Spanish conquistadors by Spanish missionaries First grapes were the País varietal Maipo Valley Major earthquake destroyed Peru s growing industry Exporting to Peru, challenging imported wines from Spain 19 th century rapid expansion takes place in Chilean wines, at the initiative of a handful of pioneers who were inspired by the French model 1850 first French grapes planted in Colchagua País remained Chile's primarily wine grape until the 6 Bordeaux varietals were planted During the phylloxera epidemic in Europe, Chile s production increased dramatically. Vineyards went from 22,000 acres in 1870 to 100,000 acres in first exports of wines to Europe 1930s 1970s extremely restrictive laws no new vines could be planted no new technology could be introduced into the country 1980s flooding replaced with use of drip irrigation systems and Rauli barrels are replaced with stainless steel fermentation tanks and French Oak barrels. 1990s more investment into the wine industry by French, Italian, Spanish and American winemakers

19 Viña Los Vascos 1750 Miguel Echeñique from Basque plants vineyards in Colchagua 1981 The estate took the name Los Vascos Los Vascos means The Basques 1988 Domaines Barons de Rothschild-Lafite took over the Los Vascos estate Micro-climate: intense sun, adequate water, semi-arid soils, and little risk of frost. 425 ft. above sea level and 25 miles from the Pacific Ocean 1,600 acres in the central Colchagua Valley, at the foot of Mount Cañeten. One of the country s largest single vineyards

20 Left Glass Right Glass 2011 Los Vascos Grande Réserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 Los Vascos Le Dix de Los Vascos Cabernet Sauvignon

21 2011 Los Vascos Grande Réserve Cabernet Sauvignon Grape varieties: 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Carménère, 10% Syrah, 5% Malbec Appellation: Colchagua Aging: 12 months in 50% new barrels Harvest: harvested by hand into small crates, initial sorting before fermentation Production: 80,000 cases Tasting notes: mint infused nuances of black cherry, blackberry, cedar, chocolate and earthy graphite notes. Fullbodied and terrifically concentrated, the core of fruit has more in common with a fine Bordeaux from a top estate - all framed beautifully with gripping ripe tannins and a fresh vein of acidity Ratings: W&S: 90, JS: 90

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23 2009 Los Vascos Le Dix de Los Vascos Cabernet Sauvignon Grape varieties: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Carménère, 5% Syrah Appellation: Colchagua, El Fraile vineyard plot Vine age: 80 years Harvest: grapes rigorously selected on a table Production: only produced in extraordinary vintage years Fermentation: individual plots are kept separate and blended after fermentation. Only the best are selected for the cuvée Aging: 18 months in 100% new French oak barrels. Barrels come from the cooperage in Pauillac Tasting notes: cassis, cherry-vanilla, pipe tobacco and licorice, complemented by a smoky overtone. Lush, penetrating dark fruit flavors are given spine by juicy acidity and pick up spiciness with air. Ripe but lively cabernet, finishing with excellent thrust and lingering tobacco and vanilla notes Ratings: IWC: 91

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26 Carménère Originally from Bordeaux, widely cultivated in the Médoc and Graves Difficulty ripening in Bordeaux Vulnerable to oidium powdery mildew Vulnerable to coulure (poor fruit set) Not replanted in Bordeaux after the phylloxera epidemic For many years Carménère was thought be Merlot and many vineyards had mixed plantings The true identity was discovered in 1994 at Montpellier s school of Enology Distantly related to Merlot Ripens 2 3 weeks after Merlot Carménère is now Chile s signature varietal Taste: medium body, aromas of cherries, strawberries, mulberries, raspberries, smoky, spicy, dark chocolate, tobacco, leather, and earthy notes. Tannins are gentler and softer than those in Cabernet Sauvignon Other confusion: some Sauvignon Blanc was in fact Sauvignonasse Carménère is also grown in Italy's Eastern Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia regions where it has DOC status

27 Left Glass Right Glass 2008 Neyen Espíritu de Apalta 2005 Concha y Toro Terrunyo Block 27

28 2008 Neyen Espíritu de Apalta Grape varieties: Carménère 80%, Cabernet Sauvignon 20% Appellation: Colchagua Valley, Apalta, Santa Cruz Vine age: years Soil: Granitic Harvest: By hand Aging: 14 months in French oak, 70% new Tasting notes: Red berry fruits, plum, and subtle notes of cassis opening to a nice floral bouquet. Elegant and concentrated entry, with nice oak and tobacco notes followed by soft, structured tannins. Good balance and a persistent finish Ratings: WS: 91, WA: 93

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31 2005 Concha y Toro Terrunyo Block 27 Grape varieties: 85% Carménère, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Merlot Appellation: Cachapoal Valley, Peumo Vineyard, Block 27 Soil: Deep clay-loam Climate: Sub-humid Mediterranean, warm days and cold nights. Cachapoal River has a cooling effect Aging: 19 months in French oak barrels, (New 70% and 1 year old use 30%), followed by an additional 6 months in the bottle Food pairing: Dishes with exuberant spice, fresh herbs or slight peppery sauces. All kinds of grilled meats with spicy or sweet-and-sour dressings Tasting notes: dark, deep red. Hints of berries, chocolate, cigar box, pepper, and mineral notes. Tasty and full-bodied. An elegant, powerful wine with flavors of black cherry, woodland berries, hints of chocolate and a long lingering finish Ratings: WS: 93

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33 Terroir A lack of the phylloxera vine louse: isolated conditions act as a natural barrier regarding pest and diseases A winter-only rainfall pattern Climate in Chile falls somewhere in between that of California and Bordeaux Soil and melt water rich in minerals Many microclimates, in general: Coastal, cooled by Humboldt current Central Valley, protected, between two mountain ranges, is hot Andes, cool nights and drying winds

34 Casa Lapostolle 1827 Jean-Baptiste Lapostolle founds a distillery in a small village near Paris 1880 Curaçao Marnier a blend of Cognac and orange 1919 Louis Alexandre Marnier-Lapostolle purchases Château de Sancerre 1994 founded by 5 th generation Alexandra Marnier Lapostolle Alexandra still has her hands in the distillery which is the 5 th largest buyer of Cognac Area: 904 acres in three different vineyards: Casablanca Valley (150 acres), Cachapoal Valley (287 acres), Colchagua Valley (467 acres) Production: 200,000 cases Varietals: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carménère, and Syrah Distribution: in 60+ countries around the world Vineyards are Organic and Biodynamic and Carbon Neutral Oldest blocks planted in 1920, have vines that were brought from France at the end of the 19 th century

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36 Left Glass Right Glass 2011 Lapostolle Cuvée Alexandre Carménère 2006 Lapostolle Clos Apalta

37 2011 Lapostolle Cuvée Alexandre Carménère Grape varieties: 85% Carménère, 15% Syrah Appellation: Colchagua Valley, Apalta Vineyard Harvest: hand harvesting and strict fruit selection Fermentation: gentle extraction methods; judicious use of oak to preserve the fruit.; no clarification; very light filtration Food pairing: marinated duck breast and well seasoned angus steak Tasting notes: ripe black fruit aromas, spicy notes such as black pepper and bitter chocolate. Well integrated oak. Balanced and elegant. Velvety texture. Medium tannins structure with a round mid palate and a long finish Ratings: WS: 88

38 2006 Lapostolle Clos Apalta Grape varieties: 43% Carménère, 30% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot Appellation: Colchagua Valley, premium sites in the Apalta Vineyard Harvest: hand harvesting and hand de-stemmed Production: produced and bottled by gravity Aging: aged for 21 months in 100 % new French oak barrels; Unfined and unfiltered Food pairing: game, lamb, and entrecôte fillet. Also good with rich cocoa chocolate desserts Tasting notes: ripe aromas of black fruit, wild berries combined with rich mocha, vanilla and delicate touches of sage and white sweet spices, concentrated and velvety tannins towards a juicy mid palate and a long lasting finish. Alive in the mid palate with good acidity and soft, elegant yet concentrated structure. Very long finish full of more fruit flavors Ratings: WS: vintage #1 wine in the world by Wine Spectator in a blind tasting of 20,000+ wines 2000 and 2001 vintages were #3 and #2 Wine Enthusiast New World Winery of the Year in 2008

39 Exchange Dollars for Wine Cost per person: 19 people: $19 18 people: $20 17 people: $21 16 people: $22

40 Test 1. What was the first grape varietal planted in Chile? 2. What are the 6 Bordeaux varietals that were brought to chile? 3. Name 3 aromas of Chilean Carménère wine. 4. What is the oldest/best known wine region in Chile? 5. Besides Chile and France, where else is Carménère grown? 6. The most arid wine regions of Chile are in the North, True or False? 7. What is the largest wine producer in Chile? 8. Lapostolle makes another beverage called what? 9. What is the País grape varietal used for today? 10. Why has Phylloxera not taken hold in Chile?

41 AWS Announcements Next month topic and location TBD In the works: Contessa Meola Holiday BYOB dinner event planning Fèlsina wine dinner at VIA Italian Table Tue., Oct. 7 th at 7:00 $70 per person, tax/tip inclusive Wine dinner at The People s Kitchen Jerry special events coordinator Tue., Oct. 21 st at 7:00 California wine dinner series at Ceres Bistro Wed., Oct. 22 nd at 6:00 Napa Valley $80 per person, tax/tip inclusive

42 Mystery Wine The challenge: what is this wine? Old world/new world? Old world terroir, minerally, earthy New world varietal, wine maker influence, fruit, oak Age? Color What varietal/blend? Aroma/bouquet Taste/texture What region/country? Cold climate/warm climate? Acidity?