Wines of Chile 2008 Sommelier Summit August 11, 2008 Wines of Chile recently hosted eight top US sommeliers and wine buyers from fine dining establishments and high volume retail stores for a trade trip to visit Chilean wineries and growing regions. The event took place from August 1st – 10th and included a series of winery visits, educational seminars, paired tastings, and the opportunity to ski in the Andes Mountains.
The enthusiastic group consisted of Fernando Beteta (NoMI Restaurant); Vincent Billiard (Ritz-Carlton Battery Park); Heather Branch (Eighty One); Troy Cain (Paris Commune); Patrick Cappiello (Veritas); Jamie Futscher (Sunset Corners Fine Wines & Spirits); Amanda Page (Best Cellars); and Eduardo Porto Carreiro (GRACE Restaurant and BLD) began their journey by going to the Casablanca and San Antonio regions to taste cool climate wines, such as Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir.	(Above) Jamie Futscher and Fernanda Beteta participate in the cool climate seminar at Viña Casas del Bosque.
The next stop was a visit to the Maipo Valley to taste Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Blends. The group then moved south to the Colchagua Valley for a seminar on Chile’s organic wines as well as an introduction to Chilean Syrah and information on the native Mapuche indigenous culture. Returning north toward Santiago, the group stopped in Alto Cachapoal learn about Carmenere, the country’s unique varietal and to taste a range of Chile’s icon wines.	(Above) Fernando Beteta, Michel Bouiey (WoC), Amanda Page, and Eduardo Porto Carreiro Cellar Tasting.
(Above) Jamie Fustcher, Troy Cain, and Amanda page at the Valle Nevado Ski Resort, high in the Andes.	The week-long trip concluded with a tasting from the southernmost wine regions of Bío-Bío and Malleco, before the group went off to explore Santiago. A general analysis of the trip gave the group the opportunity to share their impressions on Chile as a country and Chilean wine in general. This was the first visit for many of the participants, and they were impressed by the sense of modernity and efficiency they experienced and grateful for the opportunity to experience the sense of geography first-hand.
Fernando Beteta, Jamie Futscher, Vincent Billiard, and Eduardo Porto Carreiero talking with Viña Garcés Silva winemaker Francisco José Ponce. Leyda Valley.	General comments included repeated mentions of “incredible meals, amazing skiing, and the passion of the winemakers.” Some members of the group were already long-time fans of Chilean, while others confessed a less-than-enthusiastic opinion before arriving. That’s all changed now, however. All expressed being very impressed with what they saw, experienced, discovered, and tasted here, although not all for the same reasons or about the same wines.
One thing they all agreed on however was that Chile has an impressive diversity of varietals and styles at a very attractive price points. Most expressed their excitement about the cool climate wines from Elqui, Limarí, Leyda, and Bio Bio, particularly in the whites, although crisp Pinot Noirs and spicy Syrahs also merited rave reviews. This group was already familiar with Cabernets from Maipo, and the trip confirmed their impressions, but few knew that Alto Cachapoal also produces exciting	Troy Cain and Patrick Cappiello walking the vineyards in the San Antonio Valley.
top-of-the-line red wines. Other pleasant surprises included impressive Malbecs, highly aromatic Rieslings and some amazing Viogniers—suggesting that this is a varietal to watch in the future. In closing, all expressed their satisfaction with the experience of discovering Chile at ground level. -----EXTRA------ Planetavino.com wine writer Eduardo Brethauer spent a day trailing the group through the Colchagua Valley. To see his account of the experience (in Spanish), click here: http://www.planetavino.com/reportajes/detalle.asp?id=340