Wines of Chile’s objectives and strategy in Asia were discussed, illustrating focus markets and investigating possible methods of collaboration to complement future promotional efforts in Asia for each particular market.

Commercial officials appreciated the participation of Wines of Chile in the meeting, as it facilitated better communication between the organizations.

Area Manager Álvaro Arriagada captured the following lovely photos of Bangkok, an exciting and memorable city:

Bangkok skyline (photo by Álvaro Arriagada)

Prayer in Thailand (photo by Álvaro Arriagada)

Temple at night (photo by Álvaro Arriagada)

Busy Bangkok street (photo by Álvaro Arriagada)

Icon Wine tasting at Hotel Unique in Brazil, August 8

Eleven Chilean icon wines provided a memorable experience for a select group of guests at Hotel Unique in Brazil on August 8. Icon Wines tasters enjoyed the opportunity to tour the terroirs of the finest wines of Chile.

The ultra-premium labels were presented by Peter Richards, wine columnist for the BBC and one of the youngest Masters of Wine in the world, and Chilean Pedro Parra, Latin America’s only PhD in terroirs. Brazilian wine consultant Carlos Cabral completed the trio of experts.

Top Brazilian sommeliers and journalists tasted the following acclaimed icons: Altaïr 2006, Viña Altaïr; Aristos Duque 2008, Aristos; Cipreses Vineyard 2011, Casa Marín; Don Melchor 2008, Concha y Toro; Carmín de Peumo 2007, Concha y Toro; Don Maximiano Founder’s Reserve 2007, Errázuriz; Clos de Apalta 2009, Lapostolle; Montes Folly 2007, Viña Montes; Montes M 2009, Viña Montes; Casa Real 2007, Santa Rita; and Seña 2007, Seña.

Icon Wines presenters Pedro Parra, Peter Richards and Carlos Cabral

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

Click here to download “King of the Curries” (pdf ) in the Nov/Dec 2011 issue of Imbibe magazine.

Click here for more on the Made for Curry campaign.

“Chilean Fine Wine Style,” in Jorea JoongAng Daily.

X certainly marks the spot when it comes to wines from Chile and Argentina, and Decanter Magazine assigned winewriters Stephen Spurrier, Peter Richards MW, and Marina Gayam MW the task of seeking out the treasure and revealing it all in a recent feature story.

Click here to download “Decanter: El Dorado” (pdf), Decanter, Aug 2011.

Gotta love her for getting it! There’s a whole lot going on in our neck of the woods!

You tell ‘em Susy!
“Wine Review: Chilean red wine… Think you know Chilean reds? Think again“

in The Telegraph, Oct 9, 2011.

Our favorite beverage gets two articles in this extensive edition, click here to read: “Top Marks for a Highly Palatable Paradise” and “Wines of Chile Represent a World of Choice.”

Better yet, take a look at the entire issue:

CHILE: Latin America’s great success story

or download the full report in pdf format.

Viña San Pedro is one of the five finalists for the New World Winery Award, and Alvaro Espinoza stands among the top five Winemakers of the world.

San Pedro is no newcomer to this arena. It won the same award last year, and mother-company Viña San Pedro-Tarapacá was nominated for the award the year before that.

Winemaker Alvaro Espinoza, consultant to the Emiliana and Pérez Cruz wineries, owner of Viña Antiyal, and partner in Geo Wines, is especially known for his work in the areas of organic and biodynamic viticulture.

The final winners will be announced in the magazine’s December 15th issue and awards will be presented in January 2012.

Other past winners from Chile include Viña Casa Lapostolle, the New World Winery of 2008, and the Colchagua Valley as the 2005 Wine Region of the Year.