Eighty-six wines from 30 vineyards were presented to an audience of 24 prominent representatives from various areas of the Irish media and wine trade.

View of wines

Journalist and wine blogger Kevin Ecoc, who published a very enthusiastic account of the event, noted, “what impressed me is that regardless of its ability to churn out fruity inexpensive numbers the country continues to push forward with ever increasing ranges of high quality wines. They have widened their quality varietal offerings and are now putting some fine blends together. They now have an offering for the future. When Ireland begins to trade up again it will find a treasure trove of exciting wines waiting for them on the far side of the Andes.”

The successful Irish Press Tasting showcased Chile’s wine regions and styles, focusing on mid-priced wines in the categories of white, rosé, red, and sparkling.

The overall objective of the event was to introduce Chilean wine to the Irish audience at the beginning of the Christmas trading season, taking advantage of the opportunity for additional publicity and exposure to boost Chile’s profile in Ireland.

Tasting room at Radisson Blu Royal Hotel

As a “silent tasting,” each attendee enjoyed a pleasant and personal tasting experience.

Event organizer and wine journalist Jean Smullen – Wines of Chile’s representative in Ireland – writes, “The format of a “silent tasting” was well received by those attending. I noted that the press seemed to be tasting on a themed basis. [For example], John Wilson [of The Irish Times] indicated that he wished to focus on regions.

“The layout by region was helpful for this as the wines were presented by region, which emphasized the regionality of the grape varieties and highlighted the various styles. [Point-of-sale] material including maps and leaflets were also available to those attending.”

Maps and leaflets

Irish journalists in attendance included:

• Liam Campbell of Irish Independent and Easyfood
• Aoife Carrigy of Irish Mail on Sunday
• Tomas Clancy of Sunday Business Post
• Maureen O’Hara of Irish Daily Star
• Ernie Whalley of Sunday Times (Irish Edition)
• Leslie Williams of The Examiner
• John Wilson of The Irish Times
• Caroline Byrne of Irish Gardening Magazine
• Corinna Hardgrave of Irish Tatler Magazine
• Paul O’Doherty of The Advertiser (regional newspaper for Mayo, Mullingar and Athlone)
• John Brophy of Drinks Industry Ireland
• Kevin Ecock of Checkout Magazine
• Rob Gilmore & Shane McNally from Empty Glass wine blog

Tomas Clancy – Sunday Business Post

Paul O’Doherty tasting

Sommeliers and on-trade customers, as well as independent off-trade buyers were also present, including:

• Kevin Towey of the Towey Group
• Rene Vignolles of L’Ecrivain
• Thomy Suffe of Pearl Brasseries
• Julie Dupony, Irish representative at the 2013 World Sommelier Competition
• Margaret Breski of La Cave Wine Bar
• David Cope of Cope of Castledermot (Londis)
• Julie Dupony of Laurance Caubet Wine Importer
• Máirín Uí Mhurchú of Dromcain Guest House
• Guiseppe Peruzzi of Kapriol Catering

Chilean Ambassador H.E. Leonel Searle and Commercial Consul Cristian Oschilewski Lucares rounded out the high-profile guest list.

Additional media publicity about the tasting has been very positive so far, and Smullen anticipates ongoing reviews and media reactions for up to six months into the future, ensuring that Wines of Chile’s cogent message is disseminated to a broad European audience.

H.E. Leonel Searle, Chilean Ambassador to Ireland and Jean Smullen

The following Chilean wineries participated in the Ireland Press Tasting:

Aresti; Aviary (Casas del Toqui & Alto Los Romeros); Botalcura; Vina Carmen; Vina Casablanca; Casa Marin; Casa Silva; Chocalan; Concha y Toro; Cono Sur; Cousino Macul; De Martino; Emiliana; Errazuriz; Estampa; Vina Leyda; Loma Larga; Luis Felipe Edwards (Auroritas & Marea); Vina Maipo; Mont Gras; Nativa Eco Wines; Odfjell; San Pedro (Castillo del Molina); Santa Carolina; Santa Rita; Miguel Torres (Santa Digna); Undurraga; and Viu Manent.

Claudio Cilveti, Wines of Chile Managing Director, speaking in Brussels (photo by Álvaro Arriagada)

The Chilean Wine Tour 2012migrated to Brussels, Belgium on September 6 for a full-day seminar and wine tasting event.

The seminar, called “Premium Chilean wine: the ‘B’ sides,” was hosted at the city’s Colonial Palace, led by an expert panel, including Wines of Chile’s Managing Director Claudio Cilveti.

In addition to Cilveti, workshop panelists in Belgium included winemaker Patrick Valette; Koen Batsleer of Chileboutique; ProChile Benelux Director Christophe Desplas; and Vino Pres Director Baudouin Havaux.

Patrick Valette, winemaker (photo by Álvaro Arriagada)

Koen Batsleer of Chileboutique (left) and Baudouin Havaux, Vino Pres Director (right) (photo by Álvaro Arriagada)

Christophe Desplas, Director of ProChile Benelux (photo by Álvaro Arriagada)

A delicious buffet lunch followed the seminar in the Palace’s Hall Winter Garden.

Fabulous food in Brussels (photo by Álvaro Arriagada)

The event continued with a professional tasting of Chilean wines.

Chilean wine tasting (photo by Álvaro Arriagada)

ProChile brings a taste of Chile to Belgium (photo by Álvaro Arriagada)

At the day’s conclusion, a ceremony was held in the presence of Chile’s Ambassador Appelgren, recognizing the first Chilean wine importer, Paul de Clerck.

First Chilean wine importer Paul de Clerck accepting honor at ceremony (photo by Álvaro Arriagada)

Left to right: Mrs. and Mr. De Clerck, Ambassador Applegren, and Claudio Cilveti (photo by Álvaro Arriagada)

Tasting and socializing in Brussels Colonial Palace (photo by Álvaro Arriagada)

Wines of Chile European Manager Álvaro Arriagada and Claudio Cilveti in Brussels

Event participants tasting Chile’s diversity (photo by Álvaro Arriagada)

A Wines of Chile Grand Tasting and Master Class were presented in Stockholm, Sweden on September 11.

Wines of Chile Managing Director Claudio Cilveti introduced a seminar and tasting along with Jane Nisbet Huseby of BrandAbout SA, highlighting Chile’s variety and diversity. Speakers included Cesar Morales, Emiliana’s chief winemaker; Christian Wylie, Santa Carolina’s Commercial Director; and Special Guest Speaker Andreas Larsson, 2007’s Best Sommelier in the World.

Jane Nisbet Huseby of BrandAbout SA (photo by Álvaro Arriagada)

Andreas Larsson, 2007 Best Sommelier of the World, tasting Chilean wine in Stockholm (photo by Álvaro Arriagada)

Chile’s terroir diversity was expressed in a tasting focusing on different wine valleys, introducing high-quality Chilean wines to the Swedish industry and enhancing international familiarity with Chile’s viticulture.

After the introduction to Chile by Cilveti and Huseby, Morales spoke on the topic of sustainability, while Wylie covered the concept of denomination. Larsson discussed “Chile: main varieties and expressions” in a lecture and tasting, followed by an exploration of Chilean premium wines.

Claudio Cilveti, Wines of Chile Managing Director (photo by Álvaro Arriagada)

Experiencing Chilean terroirs in Stockholm (photo by Álvaro Arriagada)

The event was an opportunity for interaction between members of Sweden’s wine trade and the international community, as well as journalists, sommeliers, and other wine professionals, exposing Chilean wine to a wide and diverse audience.

Wide exposure for Chilean wines (photo by Álvaro Arriagada)

Participating wineries included: Maquis, Anakena, Montes, Millaman, Terramater, Pérez Cruz, Quintay, Tabalí, Santa Carolina, Morandé, Concha y Toro, Miguel Torres, Emiliana, and Viña Maipo.

Lovely Stockholm, Sweden (photo by Álvaro Arriagada)

Claudio Cilveti, Managing Director of Wines of Chile, speaking in Amsterdam (photo by Álvaro Arriagada)

The second round in the European segment of the ongoing Chilean Wine Tour 2012began in Amsterdam, Netherlands on September 3, where Wines of Chile’s Managing Director Claudio Cilveti was a panelist in the “Premium Chilean Wine: The ‘B’ sides” workshop.

Chilean Wine Tour 2012 provides networking opportunity in Amsterdam (photo by Álvaro Arriagada)

As a collaboration between ProChile, Wines of Chile and Melman Communications, the workshop provided an opportunity for fruitful dialogue between European and Chilean wine industry professionals.

Other members of the workshop panel included Peter van Houtert, Commercial Director of import company Verbunt; wine journalist Cees van Casteren; and ProChile Benelux Director Christophe Desplas.

Desplas provided an introduction to the Chilean wine market in Netherlands.

Christophe Desplas, Directo rof ProChile Benelux (photo by Álvaro Arriagada)

Cilveti’s presentation discussed innovative initiatives taking place in Chile, such as production of nontraditional grape varieties, terroir developments, and sustainability.

Claudio Cilveti (photo by Álvaro Arriagada)

Van Houtert spoke from an importer’s perspective about issues and challenges related to establishing a market for premium wines in the Netherlands.

Peter van Houtert, Commercial Director of Verbunt (photo by Álvaro Arriagada)

Van Casteren followed by presenting eleven exquisite premium wines for tasting.

Wine journalist Cees van Casteren (photo by Álvaro Arriagada)

The following premium wines were tasted by participants:

Eclat, Valdivieso, Carignan / Mourvedre / Syrah 2008
Specialties Wild Spirit, Santa Carolina, Mouvedre 2010
Montes Alpha Syrah, Montes, Syrah / Cabernet Sauvignon/Viognier 2009
Outer Limits CGM, Montes, Carignan /Grenache /Mouvèdre 2010
Chaski , Pérez Cruz, Petit Verdot/Carmenère 2009
Reserva Especial, J. Bouchon , Malbec 2008
Trisquel, Aresti, Sauvignon Blanc 2011
TH, Undurraga, Chardonnay 2009
Marqués Casa de Concha, Concha y Toro, Pinot Noir 2011
Single Vineyard, Errázuriz, Syrah 2009
La Capitana Reserva, La Rosa, Carmenère/ Cabernet Sauvignon /Cabernet Franc 2011

Chilean wines tasted in Amsterdam (photo by Álvaro Arriagada)

Twenty-six Chilean wineries participated in the successful event: Amayna, Anakena, Aresti, Bisquertt, J.Bouchon, Concha y Toro, El Principal, Emiliana, Errazuriz, Estampa, La Fortuna, La Junta, La Rosa, Maola Wines, Millaman, Montes, Perez Cruz, Quintay, Santa Carolina, Tarapacá, Undurraga, Valdivieso, ventisquero, Veramonte, Vinos del Sur /Rucahue, Viñedos Errazuriz Ovalle

Savoring Chilean wine (photo by Álvaro Arriagada)

Wine writer Christian Callec later described the successful Amsterdam workshop and tasting as “a warm and open minded gathering of wine importers, retailers, sommeliers, wine & food writers and of course Chilean winery ambassadors, oenologists and export managers.”

Christian Callec (left) with Jaime Lamoliatte of Viña J Bouchon (center) (photo by Álvaro Arriagada)

This successful gathering also provided an opportunity for conversation between Wines of Chile and Jacqueline Snoeker, Senior European Sourcing Manager of Ahold supermarket chain in Europe. Snoeker provided positive and valuable feedback regarding Chilean wines, along with her perspective on the Dutch wine market.

Claudio Cilveti with Jacqueline Snoeker, Senior European Sourcing Manager of Ahold Europe (photo by Álvaro Arriagada)

Wines of Chile investigates Russian market in Moscow (photo by Álvaro Arriagada)

Rounding out a busy week of travel and presentations to promote Chilean wine, Wines of Chile’s Managing Director Claudio Cilveti and European Manager Álvaro Arriagada journeyed to the Embassy of Chile in the Russian Federation in Moscow on September 7.

St. Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow (photo by Álvaro Arriagada)

Amid Moscow’s iconic charm and classic beauty, Cilveti and Arriagada conducted key meetings with ProChile Trade Commission Director Sebastian Pillado, and with Pablo Barahona of the embassy’s Agricultural Attache.

Alexander Garden Park (photo by Álvaro Arriagada)

Cilveti, Arriagada, Pillado and Barahona discussed the potential of Russia’s wine market and possibilities for future collaboration.

Claudio Cilveti and Sebastian Pillado, Director of Trade Commission in Russian Federation (photo by Álvaro Arriagada)

With 142 million inhabitants and a moderate Gross Domestic Product of 17,000 USD per capita, Wines of Chile is investigating and planning activities for 2013 that would facilitate promotion and sale of Chilean wine in Russia.

Russia’s market is promising (photo by Álvaro Arriagada)

The future looks bright for Chilean wine in Russia (photo by Álvaro Arriagada)

Très Bonne Anné is Central Pennsylvania’s premier social event. All events sell out every year. The Vintner’s Tasting traditionally hosts in excess of 300 guests and was the largest formal Tasting that Michael Mondavi, of Folio Fine Wine Partners, has ever hosted. Total proceeds donated to Whitaker Center each year exceed $375,000. I met with the organization on May 2^nd and all the materials from the prior years’ events, tasting books, auction guides, etc are extremely well done. Although the wine and auction needs are significant, especially for the Focus Wineries, I think the resulting advertising and promotion will make this very worthwhile for all the wines of Chile

Très Bonne Anné is Central Pennsylvania’s premier social event. All events sell out every year. The Vintner’s Tasting traditionally hosts in excess of 300 guests and was the largest formal Tasting that Michael Mondavi, of Folio Fine Wine Partners, has ever hosted. Total proceeds donated to Whitaker Center each year exceed $375,000. I met with the organization on May 2^nd and all the materials from the prior years’ events, tasting books, auction guides, etc are extremely well done. Although the wine and auction needs are significant, especially for the Focus Wineries, I think the resulting advertising and promotion will make this very worthwhile for all the wines of Chile