The day starts off with the Icon Wines tasting, which will be hosted by BBC presenter and Decanter magazine columnist Peter Richards, Chilean terroir expert Pedro Parra and Brazilian wine consultant Carlos Cabral.

“This tasting will be held for the first time in Brazil, and we will demonstrate that Chile produces high-level wines like other world-renowned labels,” explains Wines of Chile Managing Director Claudio Cilveti. “The wine market for our icon wines is growing in Brazil, representing 7.4% of our exports in this segment.”

Attendees of the Icon Wine tasting will experience some of Chile’s most exquisite wines, including:

Altair 2006, Aristos Duque 2008, Cipreses Vineyard 2011, Don Melchor 2008, Carmín de Peumo 2008, Seña 2007, Don Maximiano Founder´s Reserve 2007, Clos de Apalta 2009, Montes Folly 2007, Montes M 2009, and Casa Real 2007.

“I’m certainly extremely excited to taste these wines,” Richards says, “and to witness yet another milestone in the compelling story of fine Chilean wine.”

The Icon Tasting, which begins at 12:00 pm and ends at 2:00 pm, will be followed by an elegant lunch prepared by renowned chef Emmanuel Bassoleil.

After the lunch, Wines of Chile will hold its 2nd annual Grand Tasting from 4 pm until 8 pm. 41 Chilean wineries and approximately 200 labels will be represented, with special tables dedicated to “Emblematic reds” and “Discovering the whites of Chile.”

The Grand Tasting in Sao Paolo will provide an opportunity for aficionados, professionals, and business leaders in all sectors of Brazil’s wine industry to converge and communicate on topics related to Chilean wine.

This year’s Grand Tasting in Brazil is especially pertinent, considering the safeguards proposed by the Brazilian government, which would restrict import of Chilean wine into Brazil, depriving an expanding market of Chile’s premium terroirs.

“Increasingly, Brazilian consumers experience and enjoy the labels of our distinct and unique terroirs,” notes Cilveti.

Intended to boost Brazil’s wine industry, the safeguard would limit wine imports to Brazil from any country (with the exception of Israel) that is not a member of the Mercosur trade consortium. Mercosur represents an agreement between Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay facilitating trade between member countries.

In the 4 months since the safeguard was proposed by Brazil’s government, Wines of Chile has been implementing media campaigns and lobbying relevant political and industry officials in opposition of this measure, which – if successful – would be detrimental to Chilean wineries and would deprive Brazilian consumers of Chile’s amazing terroirs.

During a hearing held several weeks ago at Chile’s Department of Trade (Decom), Wines of Chile presented a strong argument against the safeguard, for consideration by the Brazilian ambassador and other international trade officials and politicians.

Wines of Chile urged Brazil to abandon the safeguard, arguing that it is supported by a small portion – only 5% – of Brazil’s wine industry. Furthermore, the precise nature and viticultural implications of the safeguard are still unclear.

Said Wines of Chile legal representative Federico Mekis, “Failing to define this fairly can produce a result that looks biased, and we would continue to discuss it until the World Trade Organization is receptive to us.”

Responding to Brazil’s allegation that the safeguard is necessary because of a sudden, unforeseen growth in Chile’s Brazilian market, Director General of International Economic Relations Álvaro Jana noted that this new opposition to the gradual increase in Chilean wine imports is not logical, since the particular commercial circumstances being targeted were previously accepted and facilitated by Brazil, indicating that the situation was not unexpected.

Brazil is Chile’s fourth largest wine market, having received 5.5% of Chilean wine exports last year, with a total profit of USD $4.481 million. Considering this potential economic impact, Chilean wineries eagerly anticipate a final verdict on the safeguard, which is expected to be delivered in September.

“I grew up in the video arcade my mother owned,” explains Dexheimer. “And my grandmother owned a golf course, with pizza and go-carts, which gave me good tools to be a people person and do different things in the entertainment industry.”

Later, working in restaurants, Dexheimer quickly found that knowledge of wine engaged his guests and enticed them to tip well for his expertise. He climbed the industry ladder quickly, working in (and later managing) wine cellars, bars and restaurants from Nantucket to New York, and ravenously reading wine literature to learn the trade.

“The wine community is awesome!” he insists.

Working with such an awesome community inspired Dexheimer to pursue certification as a Master Sommelier, which required dedicated study and completion of a rigorous testing program.

“I took the [first level] exam in 2001,” recalls Dexheimer. “It was very different back then. It is still very difficult [today], but there was a smaller community [in 2001], and no online stuff.”

The greater challenge began with the advanced portion of the program. In 2003, Dexheimer passed the advanced exam after being given 25 minutes to taste six wines blindfolded and accurately identify the grape blends, regions of origin, climate conditions, quality levels, and vintages. This was followed by a service exam testing practical skills like decanting and food pairing, and a theory exam.

“It was pretty darn tough!” Dexheimer declares.

The final hurdle to becoming a Master was even more difficult, but Dexheimer passed the last test in 2007, earning the honor of becoming the 79th Master Sommelier in the United States.

Dexheimer is now involved in numerous professional activities, including his role as Wines of Chile Educator.  He delivers frequent seminars and travels to speaking and teaching engagements worldwide as an industry expert and a connoisseur of Chilean wine.

“There are infinite possibilities for [wine in] Chile,” Dexheimer urges, noting Chile’s “vast places to plant, with ongoing discovery of new places, and the fact that some vineyards aren’t even making wine yet.”

Dexheimer’s work as an educator supports Wines of Chile’s goal to promote third-tier wines in the 15-30 dollar range. “Those are the best wines now, varietal and New World styles,” he says. “Those wines are exciting!”

“People are really wowed once they taste Chile’s wines, so it’s important to get people tasting the wines,” continues Dexheimer.”They are blown away by one or two in every tasting.”

To ensure that Chile’s reputation for quality continues to spread with unrelenting momentum, Dexheimer is “hitting almost every part of the industry,” including forging professional relations with prominent wine makers, instructing terroir classes in six different US cities, forming a recent partnership with the Guild of Sommeliers, showcasing Chile’s “serious Pinot Noirs” and other promising varieties, and organizing Wines of Chile’s Blogger Tasting, held online with 50 bloggers and eight wine makers, including an online chat, twitter feed, and recipes for food pairing.

In his remaining time, Dexheimer also owns his own consultancy business, Juiceman Consulting.

Needless to say, he is a busy (but satisfied) Master Sommelier. However, Dexheimer still manages to relax and savor Chilean wine at his home.

“I like sushi with Sauvignon Blancs, tuna or hamachi” he says, “and Pinot Noir with burgers and lighter food. Sometimes I cook an amazing bolognaise with Carmenere, of course pairing it with the Carmenere.”

Dexheimer advises wine and food lovers that steakhouses in United States are “doing a great job of putting Chilean wines on lists; Cabernets, Carmeneres, Syrahs and blends go really well.” He also recommends “seafood with Sauvignon Blancs and Chardonnays from the coast with ceviches and seafood platters. And Latin food is great with Chilean wines.”

In the midst of such an exciting and mouthwatering career, Dexheimer is especially glad for opportunities to travel and make connections. “[The wine industry] is a great network of people from all walks of life, all different backgrounds and interests,” he says. “Getting into a room with chefs and sommeliers, you never know what books, music, films will be discussed, where they’ve traveled, what they went to school for.”

“This is an infinite learning experience,” he muses. “The more you know, the less you know, and the less you know you know. The journey never stops!”

Fred Dexheimer, Master Sommelier and Wines of Chile Educator (photo by Matt Wilson)

Viña Undurraga's wine cellar. (Photo by jdlasica/Flickr)

Viña Undurraga closed out its trip to ExpoVinis São Paulo, Brazil, on a high note when their wine T.H. (Terroir Hunter) from acclaimed enologist Rafael Urrejola was chosen as the best white wine from the New World.

ExpoVinis is one of the world’s most recognized international wine fairs, and in many ways it sets the standard and serves as a guide for executives seeking the best wines to sell throughout Brazil. Over 200 wineries participated, hailing from 25 countries across Latin America, Europe, Oceania and Africa. From the countless varietals, judges chose the Top 10 wines of the fair, one for each of the following categories: Rosé, National Red Wine, New World Red Wine, Old World Red Wine, Sparkling National Wine, Imported Sparkling Wine, New World White Wine, Old World White Wine, National White Wine, and Sweet and Fortified.  It was in this competition that Viña Undurraga’s wine T.H. was honored with the Best Wine Award for white wine from the New World.

T.H. Sauvignon Blanc from Lo Abarca Valley

The honored wine is a very fresh, aromatic and intense Sauvignon Blanc from Lo Abarca Valley, 2011 harvest, influenced by the vineyard’s proximity to the Pacific Ocean. It boasts mature citrus aromas including limes and tangerines, which mix with hints of fennel, honey, a subtle earthy tone and a faint scent of gunpowder. The result is a broad and structured wine on the palate, with a sharp acidity and notes of salt, stone, and an underlying minerality, responsible for its enduring taste and character.

For Rafael Urrejola, the vineyard’s enologist responsible for the T.H. line of wines, it’s a great honor: “We were very hopeful going into this expo. The competition was very tough, as there were tremendous wines coming from Brazil, Argentina, South Africa and New Zealand. To be chosen as the best white wine is a great honor and an achievement not only for our team at Viña Undurraga, but for Chilean wine in general.”

The international team of judges responsible for choosing the Top 10 included Luis Lopes, the Portuguese founder and director of Wine Magazine, and Andrés Rosberg, president of the Argentine Association of Sommeliers. Brazilian judges included Jorge Carrara (of the Prazeres da Mesa magazine  and Basilico website), José María Santana (Sabor magazine), Gustavo Andrade de Paulo (SP-ABS), and José Luis Borges Alvim (ABS-SP), among others.

In addition to the more than 200 wines being poured, ProChile also offered a selection of Chile’s fine olive oils and two educational tables that put the spotlight on Carmenere and Sauvignon Blanc.

Brazilian opinion leaders and members of the press were invited to a special seminar that included a presentation by Chilean terroir specialist Pedro Parra (for further information see this article by Alvaro Cézar Galvao in Divino Guía: “Pedro Parra, o Dr Terroir, encanta enófilos em palestra no primeiro seminário Terroirs do Chile“).

The second part of the seminar was a 10-wine guided tasting:

William Fèvre Grande Cuvée Chardonnay 2010

Clos des Fous Clos des Fous Chardonnay 2010
Undurraga T.H. Pinot Noir Leyda Pinot Noir 2009 (Leyda)
Clos des Fous de Traiguén Pinot Noir 2010
Santa Carolina Specialties Carignan 2008 (Cauquenes)
Ventisquero Pangea Syrah 2007 Colchagua
Luis Felipe Edwards LFE 900 Malbec 2009
De Martino Limavida Old Bush Blend Malbec Carmenere 2006
El Principal 2006
Altaïr 2002

Participating wineries:

Altaïr Vineyards, Amayna (Garcés Silva), Bisquertt, Bodegas Volcanes de Chile, Bodegas y Viñedos de Aguirre, Casa Rivas, Casa Silva, Casas del Toqui, Chocalán, Concha y Toro, Cono Sur, Cousiño Macul, Dalbosco, De Martino, El Principal, Falernia, Geo Wines, Haras de Pirque, Lapostolle, Luis Felipe Edwards, Miguel Torres, Misiones de Rengo, Morandé, Odfjell Vineyards, Requingua, San Pedro, Santa Carolina, Santa Ema, Santa Helena, Santa Rita, Tamaya, Tarapacá, Terramater, Undurraga, Valdivieso, Viña Maipo, Viña Maquis, Viña Ventisquero, Vistamar, and William Fèvre Chile.

This year’s judges are:

Brazil: Jorge Lucki

Canada: Shari Mogk-Edwards and François Primeau

China: Jeannie Cho Lee

Korea: Kyoungja (Corinne) Eom

Japan: Tomoko Ebisawa

Sweden: Andreas Larsson

United Kingdom: Steven Spurrier and Oz Clarke

United States: Josh Reynolds, Josh Greene, and Michael Schachner

and from Chile: Héctor Vergara

For more information see:

About the Judges