Varietal: Chardonnay
Region: Chile
Cost: $9

Golden yellow in color with aromas of pineapple and papaya with hints of vanilla.  Pineapple, citrus, and a subtle acid on the palate.  Pairs well with roasted chicken and shellfish in a light cream sauce.

Recommendations: There was a distinct lack of white wine in my house recently, and so during a tasting at my local wine shop I picked up a couple of bottles of white to have around.  My wife doesn’t like Chardonnay with a heavy oak flavor, so when I saw the Terra Andina (of which I’ve had other varietals and enjoyed), I grabbed it.

Taking the advice of the tasting notes on the back of the bottle, and because we had both available in the house for an easy dinner, we paired the wine with a dinner of shrimp in a garlic alfredo sauce with some farfalle pasta.  The acid of the Terra Andina did a nice job of cutting through the cream sauce, and the citrus flavors, particularly pineapple, were a nice compliment to the taste of the shrimp.

While this is by no means a life altering Chardonnay, it’s a great one to keep around the house.  For the price, you’d be hard pressed to find a quality Chardonnay that will pair well with food and be enjoyable just by itself.  If you’re looking for a white wine on a budget, the Terra Andina Chardonnay is definitely one worth looking at.

So this past Wednesday I was fortunate enough to get to participate in a virtual blogger tasting of 8 Chilean Sauvignon Blancs.  Myself and several other bloggers were all sent tasting kits that included wine that we would taste on the 12th while interacting with the wine makers via webcam and chatroom.

Since they sent us 8 bottles of wine, I did the only wise thing, and invited several friends over to help me taste all the wines and to get their opinions on them as well.  If you’re in the Richmond area you can follow them on twitter at:  @ptmartinez ; @melrv ; @jkennett ; @akennett ; and @knownhuman.

All of the wines we tasted were the 2009 vintage and all were 100% Sauvignon Blanc.  Our first wine was the Veramonte Sauvignon Blanc from the Casablanca Valley (SRP $10.99).  It featured a good bit of citrus with a bit of an effervescent, tart finish, while remaining crisp.  Nice and light this would be a great deck wine and was the favorite of my wife’s friend Marisa (she’s not on Twitter or I’d share her login).

Next up was the Ventisquero Sauvignon Blanc, also from the Casablanca Valley (SRP $17.00).  With a bit of pepper on both the nose and the palate – there was debate if it was bell pepper or jalepeno – I found it more enjoyable than the first wine, only because I could see pairing it with food better.

Our third wine of the evening was the Undurraga T.H. Sauvignon Blanc from the Leyda Valley (SRP $15.99 – 16.99).  A combination of grapefruit and melon on the nose lead into apple flavors, with us debating the type (I settled on Granny Smith, others were saying Gala and Fuji).

Our forth wine was actually the least favorite of the entire group.  The Valdivieso Sauvignon Blanc from the Leyda Valley (SRP $21.99) had a smell that my friend Pedro best described as “new leather shoe” which wouldn’t have been bad in a robust red wine, but was fairly off-putting in a white, particularly a Sauvignon Blanc.  With a flavor that reminded us of sherry more than anything, we weren’t a huge fan of this one. (Author’s note:  I’ve been contacted about this wine as there was some bottle variation amongst the bloggers on this one.  We’re all being sent new bottles to review and I’ll write up a separate review of this wine to either confirm or refute my thoughts here after it arrives.)

The fifth wine of the night was the Santa Rita Medalla Real Sauvignon Blanc from the Leyda Valley (SRP $19.99).  Light in color the nose reminded me of celery more than anything, though others said they got tomato vine for the nose.  With a flavor of grapefruit rind it was a step up from the previous wine, but still not a favorite.

The sixth wine was the Cono Sur Sauvignon Blanc from the San Antonio Valley (SRP $13.00).  An organic wine, this one also featured what I called a celery nose, but it was much more subtle and quickly lead into a good citrus flavor that was refreshing.  This was the hands down favorite of the group and was quickly gone after the tasting was over.

Our seventh wine was the Haras de Pirque Sauvignon Blanc from the Maipo Valley (SRP $12.00).  It reminded me of the first wine we sampled, but not quite as enjoyable, with grapefruit and other citrus flavors.

Finally, our eighth wine of the night was the Casa Silva Cool Coast Sauvignon Blanc from the Colchagua Valley (SRP $22.99).  Crisp with a nose of bell pepper and grapefruit flavors and a hint of effervescence.  My only complaint with this wine was that we all agreed it was a bit overpriced.

I want to give a special thanks to Wines of Chile for including not just myself, but my friends, and other wine bloggers in this event.  I look forward to the next one, and if any of my readers have questions about any of these wines, feel free to ask me – I have packets of information on each one that I’m happy to share.

Varietal: Carmenere
Region: Chile
Cost: $19.50

Deep purple in color with aromas of fresh raspberries, mulberries, cherry, herb, and roasted coffee beans.  Fruit, spice, and dark chocolate on the palate.  Pairs well with steak, chicken, veal, duck, lamb, lighter food, or by itself.

Recommendations: I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve been on a bit of Carmenere kick ever since I participated in a blogger tasting for Wines of Chile back in November that featured a lot of Carmenere, so I was rather happy when the International Wine of the Month Club sent me a bottle of Carmenere that I had yet to try.  It’s all about expanding horizons.

I picked up some notes of raspberry and cherry on the nose, and I certainly got some spice in the mouth, but I was surprised by how much more mellow this wine was than what I was expecting.  Carmenere I’ve had in the past had a distinct bell pepper finish that I found quite enjoyable, and while it started to come through a bit more towards the end of the bottle, after it’d had even more time to open up than I initially gave it, this Carmenere doesn’t feature that in your face flavor that I was expecting.

Now, just because the wine wasn’t what I was expecting, doesn’t mean it wasn’t good – the more subtle, medium-bodied flavors made this wine ideal for just sipping by itself without the need to pair it with something as I’ve felt compelled with other Carmenere.

If you’re new to Carmenere, or you’re not a big fan of the bell pepper flavor, this is probably the Carmenere for you.  It’s great by itself, and the subtle flavors will allow it to pair with a range of foods.  Definitely a good value buy and one I would certainly recommend for any fan of Chilean wines.

Varietal: Pinot Noir
Region: Chile
Cost: $10

Light to medium red in the glass with aromas of red berry, spice, and black cherry.  Light on the palate with flavors of berry that will pair well with turkey.

Recommendations: I had been hearing good things about Pinot Noir from Chile, and given my love of Pinot Noir in general, I picked up this bottle while restocking my wine cellar, recently opening it while relaxing at home with my wife and parents.

Light, garnet color in the glass gave me an idea of what to expect once I tasted it, and I wasn’t surprised.  Light on the palate with flavors of berry and a very subtle tanninc finish, the wine was a nice pairing for the cheese and crackers that we had out to munch on while relaxing after a light dinner out.

I would be interested to pair this wine with a turkey dinner, but I almost feel like it would be overwhelmed by a more robust meal.  That being said, it’s a good value for anybody looking for a Pinot Noir to keep around simply for sipping on, and its subtle flavors make it good for enjoying without food.

Worth checking out, but don’t fool yourself into believing that there aren’t better Pinot’s out there for about the same price that will be a bit more versatile.

Varietal: Carmenere (75% Carmenere; 15% Cabernet Sauvignon; 10% Syrah)
Region: Chile
Cost: $13

Deep red in color with gentle and silky tannins and rich flavors of ripe plum, blackberry, vanilla and spice.  Pair with pasta, grilled meats, spicy entrees, eggplant, or bell peppers.

Recommendations: I’ve been a fan of Root:1 wines for a while, regularly keeping their Sauvignon Blanc on hand.  While restocking our wine cellar after the rampant snow we’ve had here in Virginia, my wife and I found a bottle of Carmenere from Root:1 and were quick to grab it.

Paired with a dinner of baked herb chicken and garlic green beans, we were soon ignoring the meal to focus on the wine.  Beautifully dark red with aromas of berry and green bell peppers, the spice and bell pepper on the palate are amazing, and reminded me of the Viu Manent Carmenere that I enjoyed during the Wines of Chile Blogger tasting, though the flavors of bell pepper were much more mellow – which was not a bad thing.  

The best part of the wine was that the more it was allowed to open up, the better the flavors of bell pepper became, easily masking the high alcohol content (14%), something that I appreciated.  If you’ve never had Carmenere before I highly recommend that you try it, and the Root:1 is a great place to start.

Not only do I recommend this wine, but I expect to be picking up more of it very soon.

Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Chile
Cost: $10

Garnet color with flavors of cherry and bold tannins.  Pair this wine with red meat or a boldly flavored meal.

Recommendations: For a dinner alone, I swung by my local Fresh Market (which if you have one you should visit often) and picked up a steak and this bottle of wine, partially for the price, and partly because the card with the wine recommended it for steaks.

I opened up the wine while my steak cooked on the grill and let it breathe a bit, finally pouring some as my steak came off the grill.  Paired with the steak, the wine was excellent.  Bold tannins and some flavors of red fruit came through, and the high alcohol content (14%) was balanced well by the juiciness of the steak.

Unfortunately, my steak was soon gone and the rest of the wine was not.  Being a good husband, and because she threatened me, I left the second half of the bottle until my wife came home.  Once she arrived we poured out the rest of the wine and settled in to watch some TV.

Without the steak to help cut the alcohol and tannins, the wine was a bit overwhelming – especially the alcohol.  As anybody that’s visited this site knows, my true test of a wine is after the food is gone – sadly the 2008 Montes Cabernet Sauvignon doesn’t pass the test.

While I’m hard pressed to say don’t buy this considering the price point, I will say that if you’re going to buy it, be sure you’re pairing it with food that will help to counter the alcohol content, otherwise it’s just too much and is a waste of the wine.

Varietal: Carmenere
Region: Chile
Cost: $14

Deep ruby red in color with black cherry, plum, and sweet herbs.  Mocha, dates, dark chocolate, leather on the palate with rounded tannins.  Pair with lamb chops, green peppers.

Recommendations: About three weeks ago I participated in an online blogger tasting hosted by Wines of Chile.  They sent us eight bottles to sample during while giving us access to the representatives from each vineyard via webcams and a live chat forum.

My wife and I sampled all of the wines, and while there certainly wasn’t a single one we didn’t enjoy, the Viu Manent was far and away our favorite.  A lot of pepper on the nose, and by pepper I mean green pepper, where different, but enjoyable, and went well with the leather and rounded tannins on the palate, especially as the wine had time to open up.

While we didn’t really pair it with anything beyond something to much on (cheese and crackers), the thought of pairing this with lamb chops or stuffed green peppers is enticing enough to make me want to try my hand at making them.

Whether you’re already a fan of Carmenere or are just getting into it, I would highly recommend the Viu Manent, especially at this price point.   It’s a great wine with a great nose and lots of great flavors.

Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon (1997)
Region: Chile
Cost: $ 21

Dark coloring, more brown than red, with aromas of fresh berries, cassis, dark chocolate, and cigar box cedar.  Flavors of blackberry fruit, cassis, plum with hints of chocolate and roasted coffee.  Pair with chicken, veal, beef tenderloin, lamb, and stews.

Recommendations: Having read the description of this wine, I was intrigued, especially since it had been a while since I’d had the chance to enjoy a wine this old.  I did get hints of fresh fruit on the nose, but I also got tobacco and smoke, which isn’t a bad thing, along with a bit of pepper, which I also got on the finish of the wine.

Paired with a meal of home made chili, the smokiness of the wine was actually a great compliment, pairing well with the slow cooked meal.  The heartiness of the meal helped to mask some of the tobacco and smoke, while letting the fruit flavors shine through.

My only real complaint with this wine is that they used a real cork to seal it, and there was some sediment in the bottle.  That being said, it wasn’t a real problem until my wife and I got to the very end of the bottle, and would have been easy to fix had we decanted the wine instead of just letting it open up in our glasses.  If you’re looking for a more full-bodied Cabernet and don’t want something fruit forward, this is definitely what you’re looking for and is worth it for the price.

Special thanks to the International Wine of the Month Club for providing the wine.

Whites

Presto Prosecco - Brighten up your summer brunch with the fruity effervescence of this popular Italian Sparkler. Crisp, clean and refreshing with flavors of tropical fruit, it’s content on its own, in mimosas or as a cheerful contrast to hollandaise-topped egg dishes, stone- and tree-fruit salads, light fish or the rich and buttery Fromager D’Affinois.

Rudolf Müller “Bunny” Riesling - Floral, fruity and flirtatious with crisp peach, pear and light acidity, this drier-style Riesling is a splendid apéritif and the perfect match with lighter seafood and salads, Asian spiced cuisine or firmer cheeses such as Hirtenkase Aged.

Biokult Grüner Veltliner - Austria’s “Gru-Vee” White is a groovy delight with a light zesty flavor and hints of cracked pepper and prairie grass. Clean acidity and a soft seductive finish make this an enchanting apéritif or versatile sidekick for spicy dishes, grilled seafood, burgers, pizza or Whole Foods Market® organic fresh goat cheese.  Made with Organically Grown Grapes.

Vinum Chenin Blanc / Viognier - A marvelous medley of pear, melon and grapefruit, just one glass is like a bouquet of blooming summer citrus. A supple texture and snappy finish make this absolutely yummy with brunch, shellfish, sun-dried tomatoes, or thin-crust pizzettas made with fresh Cana de Cabra or Whole Foods Market® organic fresh goat cheese.

V-solo Verdejo - With its zesty acidity and fruity disposition this vivacious Spanish sipper is a welcome guest to any occasion. Floral aromas and hints of gooseberry, lime and citrus will dazzle the palate. Plays well alone or with others—especially seafood, shellfish or nutty, slightly sharp Robusto cheese.

Manifesto! Sauvignon Blanc - The ideal sip for a sunny picnic, this frisky White coats your palate with ripe lemon, gooseberry, grapefruit and orange peel. A smooth texture and food-friendly acidity makes it a harmonious companion for grilled foods, seafood or oysters.

Bonterra Rosé - This melodious blend of Sangiovese, Zinfandel and Grenache is full of ripe summer berries. Unexpected richness, a touch of spice and juicy acidity makes this a wonderful accompaniment for al fresco anything! A singular chilled sensation or perfect match for grilled foods, salmon or Spanish Cana de Cabra goat cheese.  Made with Organically Grown Grapes.

Reds

Escudo Rojo - Enhance warm weather fare with some Chilean flare! This compelling mélange of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenère, exudes rich spice, toast and black cherry aromas and is smooth on the palate. Captivating with grilled meats, barbecue or hamburgers.

Pirovano il Rosso di Enzo - For a long, hot and lusty summer, add a juicy Italian to your menu. This evocative Red is highly attracted to grilled food, pizza, burgers and medium-aged cheeses such as Taleggio and Kilaree Irish Cheddar.

Rutherford Hill Merlot - Dark cherries, luscious chocolate and a silky finish make this “king of Merlots” ideal for summer romance. Balanced with hints of vanilla, cinnamon and tobacco, this seductive Red is alluring one-on-one or with hearty meats such as grilled steak, burgers or mature Seaside Cheddar.

Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet - An outstanding value, this commemorative release is the life of any patio party, backyard bash or beachfront fête! Succulent ripe blueberry, dark cherry and black currant coupled with chocolate and olive flavors presents a beguiling complexity and sleek finish. Superb with beef, lamb and chicken or rich GranQueso cheese.

Castello di Gabbiano Chianti - This classic Red giant unfolds into a lush bouquet of ripe red fruits. Made in the Tuscan tradition, it is a dry, well-balanced and full-bodied Sangiovese that adores hot and hearty summer cuisine including grilled beef, barbecue or pizza.

In addition to this selection of wines, Whole Foods market has selected several cheeses that are perfect for pairing with these wines while sitting on a porch, deck, patio, or dinner table.

Aged Hirtenkase -  This versatile and full-flavored hard cheese is made from the milk of cows that graze on rich Alpine grasses. Aged for one year, it fuses the best of Swiss and Parmesan style cheeses. Grate a hunk into risotto or over salads and soup and surrender your taste buds.

Fromager D’Affinois - Hello creamy goodness! From the French Rhône-Alpes, this soft-ripened cousin to Brie is luscious, buttery and just waiting to be taken advantage of. Savor solo or with ripe berries and other summer fruits.

GranQueso - From farm-fresh cow’s milk, this Wisconsin original is lovingly cured for six to nine months and hand-rubbed with delectable spices. Deep and complex with a balanced sweet finish, it’s the star of any cheeseboard, and coveted companion to salads, soups, pastas and sandwiches.

Robusto - A Dutch cheese with an Italian spirit, Robusto is softer, yet reminiscent of, aged, nutty Parmesan. Friendly and versatile, cube it into salads, melt it on pasta or roasted vegetables, or just savor a slice on its own.

Seaside Cheddar - This rugged mature cheddar’s unusual sweet taste and crunchy texture comes from cows that graze on southern England’s coastal grasses. Crystallized calcium gives it a crunch. Tantalizing by itself or on burgers, grilled chicken pasta or a rambunctious grilled cheese and grilled beef sandwich.

Visit your local Whole Foods Market to check out their summer wine and cheese selection.  It’s a great way to enjoy wine the entire summer.

Terra Andina Sauvignon Blanc

Varietal:  Sauvignon Blanc
Region:  Chile
Cost:  $9.99

 Pale straw colors and a crip nose match flavors of citrus fruit, most notably grapefruit, perfectly.  Also featuring lime, nectarine, and hints of peach flavoring.  A very light white wine.

Recommendation:  I first came across Terra Andina Sauvignon Blanc while at the Seafire Grill in Richmond, Virginia (which is where I live).  I instanly fell in love with the crisp flavors, especially the prevelance of grapefruit, which I don’t enjoy by itself.  Searching for the wine at my local shops turned up nothing until this past week when I stopped into Private Stock Cigar & Wine.  There it was, the wine I had been searching for for the better part of 2 years.  Purchased and taken home, it didn’t take long until my wife and I enjoyed it on our deck.

While I normally try to pair wine with food, we’re getting into the time of year where I like to just sit out on my deck and enjoy a glass of white wine.  The Sauvignon Blanc from Terra Andina is perfect for that.  Light and crisp, it’s still full of flavors and not at all sweet.  The citrus fruit flavors are the perfect for enjoying on a hot summer day, or for pairing with any number of meals from pork, to chicken, and even seafood.  For the price, this is easily one of my favorite whites, and if you happen to find a bottle of it, I would highly recommend grabbing it, especially as the temperature continues to rise.