Attendees were briefed on key themes regarding Chilean wine, including information about the European, Canadian, Brazilian, Asian and United States markets, along with summaries of Wines of Chile’s priorities and goals for 2013 and beyond.

The event kicked off with an introductory address by Wines of Chile President René Araneda. Managing Director Claudio Cilveti provided a further overview of the organization’s mission and a general status update on Chile’s wine industry.

Michael Cox (UK), Alvaro Arriagada (EU), Anastasia Jones (Asia), Alessandra Battocchio (Brazil), Vivian Alaluf (Canada), Alana Dickson (Western Canada) and Lori Tieszen (US) each elaborated on the status of their particular markets, while Benoit Allaire (Quebec) and Ted Kalaboukis (Toronto) spoke via teleconference. Finally, Mauricio Biancheri discussed Puro Wine.

Throughout the conference, Wines of Chile presented a cohesive strategy for 2013, including building social media and wine tourism, and continuing to nurture innovative methods of reaching out to international consumers in the on- and off-trades.

Convention of Wines of Chile in Santiago

Michael Schachner, left, at Casino Monticello. (Photo by Rick Helm)

Michael Schachner makes it a point to know Chile well – the sommelier and contributing editor of Wine Enthusiast magazine says his 15 visits to the Andean nation have enhanced his understanding of all the elements involved in the final product.

On his most recent trip, Schachner conducted a seminar and wine tasting at Casino Monticello south of Santiago, with more than 100 Chilean wine industry representatives in attendance. The June 5 event received special support from Innova-CORFO, which promotes innovation and economic progress in Chile.

Schachner’s presentation focused on the complexities of the U.S. wine market, highlighting both the opportunities and challenges for Chile’s exporters.

Chilean wine in the world’s biggest market

Schachner explained that while Chilean wine continues to enjoy a positive image in the U.S. market, competition remains fierce, especially from the strong domestic industry in the United States.

The United States is the leading consumer of wine worldwide, but domestic sales account for 77 percent of consumption.  Furthermore, U.S. consumers generally prefer white and sparkling wines, while Chile’s wine exports are predominantly red varieties. Chile’s wine exports have also faced a headwind in recent years as a result of an unfavorably strong exchange rate versus the U.S. dollar.

Schachner believes that although some of these factors will continue to present a challenge to Chile’s wine exporters, the Andean nation is still in a solid position to succeed in the U.S. market by delivering high-quality products at affordable prices.

To demonstrate this concept first-hand, Schachner conducted a tasting just outside Santiago, selecting 12 labels that have sold particularly well in the United States in recent months.

Wine tasting with a leading sommelier

100 Chilean wine industry representatives sample wines, June 5. (Photo by Rick Helm)

Schachner chose wines from each of the following varieties: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon. Each category included three wines – one from Chile, and two foreign labels.

The first Chilean wine, Casas del Bosque 2011 Gran Reserva, was praised by Schachner as being “one of the few 90-point Sauvignon Blancs from South America,” with a “pungent” bouquet and “nice ocean influences” as a result of the beneficial influence of the proximity of the Casablanca Valley to the Pacific.

Next, he declared Concha y Toro’s 2010 Marqués de Casa Concha to be a “well-balanced” Chardonnay, with clarity and well-integrated oak.

With the Veramonte 2010 Ritual, Schachner enthused that it is “one of the best Pinot Noirs in Chile,” complimenting the vintners for “a very nice job.”

According to Schachner, the last Chilean wine to be sampled, Santa Carolina 2009 Reserva de Familia,  was excellent, and clearly superior to a competitor wine from the United States in the Cabernet Sauvignon tasting,  possessing a “more aromatic character than the Chateau Ste. Michelle (2009).”

The wines will be judged in the “Pure Carmenere,” “Carmenere Blend,” and “Experiemental Carmenere.”

The competition coincides with the 8th Latin American Conference on Viticulture and Enology, which will take place the same week, also in the Catholic University’s Centro de Extensión in Santiago de Chile.

More information is available at www.carmenerealmundo.cl or by contacting the DICTUC Centro de Aromas (562-354-7250) / aromas@dictuc.cl.

Los invitados descubrirán los aromas, la composición química y los secretos de la elaboración de los vinos ganadores de Trophies en el 8º Annual Wines of Chile Awards.

Además de una degustación de los vinos ganadores, el enólogo Gerard Casaubon, Gerente del Centro de Aromas y Sabores de la Universidad Católica presentará el análisis químico sensorial de cada uno.

Cuando: Jueves 7 de julio, de las 9:00 a 14:00 horas
Donde: Centro de Convenciones Monticelo, Salón Maipo, Grand Casino (Km 57, Ruta 5 Sur)

Cupos limitados y solo por invitación.
Contacto: Grand Cru: eventos@grandcru.cl / 2-334-0236.

The judges will arrive from around the world on January 7 and spend three days in San Pedro de Atacama prior to the judging process, which will take place January 10-12.

The ever-popular seminar will be held during the morning of January 13, and the winners will be announced that evening in a Gala dinner.

For more information on the judges and their program, see: 8th AWoCA Coming Soon!

Venue and time TBA

Download flyer for more information.

Lugar: SOFOFA – Av. Andrés Bello 2777, piso 2, Las Condes

Programa:

10:00-10:10 Palabras de bienvenida: Rene Merino / Presidente Vinos de Chile

10:10-10:30 Presentación Marcas Sectoriales: Patricia Noda / Directora Ejecutiva Comité Marcas Sectoriales

10:30-10:50 Introducción Programa de Posicionamiento de Chile como Destino Privilegiado para el Enoturismo en Mercado Americano: Juan Somavía  / Managing Director WoC

10:50-11:30 Presentación Resultados Encuesta a Viajeros Frecuentes de la Zona Noreste de EE.UU.: Ernest Paicopolos – Opinion Dynamics

11:30-12:00 Café

12:00-12:40 Estrategia de Posicionamiento y Actividades Programa de Posicionamiento de Chile como Destino Privilegiado para el Enoturismo en el Mercado Americano: Juan Somavía / Managing Director WoC

RSVP: Tel. 2180600 x.202, email: cpacheco (a) winesofchile.org

ProChile, Wines of Chile and Turismo Chile

LANZAMIENTO DEL PROGRAMA DE SUSTENTABILIDAD DE
LA INDUSTRIA DEL VINO CHILENA

Cómo enfrentar la sustentabilidad en el marco de un programa integral y progresivo

4 de Agosto de 2010, Hotel Ritz-Carlton Santiago, salón Grand Ballroom
Horario: 08:15 a 13:15

Los Consorcios del Vino Vinnova S.A  y Tecnovid S.A y Vinos de Chile A.G., tienen el agrado de invitarle al:

INVITADOS:

Félix de Vicente
Director de ProChile

Claudia Alejandra Ulloa Tesser
Centro Ciencias Ambientales EULA-Chile, Universidad de Concepción

Yerko Moreno
CTVV, Universidad de Talca

Dante Pesce
Director Ejecutivo, Vincular, PUCV

Bárbara Délano
Gerente de Asuntos Corporativos Vincular PUCV

CONTENIDOS:

-    Los conceptos y alcances de la sustentabilidad
-    Programa de Sustentabilidad en la industria vitivinícola chilena
-    El Código Nacional de Sustentabilidad
-    La red de estaciones meteorológicas para los valles vitivinícolas de Chile
-    Guía de Responsabilidad Social de Vinos de Chile
-    Reportes GRI

PARTICIPANTES:

Gerentes Generales, Gerentes de Producción, Gerentes de Marketing y Comercialización, Gerente de Operaciones, Enólogos, Product Managers, Viticultores, ejecutivos y profesionales de la industria vitivinícola.

COSTO:

El seminario será liberado de costo.

Las inscripciones se realizarán hasta el 29 de Julio de 2010

Información e inscripciones en seminarios@vinnova.cl o al teléfono 2-218-0600 anexo 216

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

9:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Hotel Radisson Royal

For more information and reservations, contact: rgrellet(a)hkcaptiva.cl

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