One of the highlights of the Vancouver International Wine Festival 2023 was the International Festival Tasting Room where 147 wineries from around the world were pouring their wines for you to try. Plus, there was a winery principal for you to talk to about their wines. This year the theme region for the Festival was South America, so we had many wines from Argentina and Chile, plus lesser amounts of wines from Uruguay, Brasil, and Bolivia. I spent most of my time tasting wines from South America and a little time visiting the rest of the world wineries. Sorry BC, but I did not visit any of your tables as I see you at other events throughout the year. Below are my top wine selections from the International Festival Tasting Room. Enjoy!
My Wine Tasting Notes
Southern Hemisphere Wines
Hacienda Araucano Humo Blanco Sauvignon Blanc 2022, Chile – Stony, orange and citrus nose. Dry, fruit with medium acidity. Citrus and ripe stone fruit flavours. A touch of vegetal on the finish. Tasty. 
Veramonte Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2020, Chile – Pronounced aromas of green fruits and green beans. Dry, medium-plus body, round and smooth mouthfeel. Green beans on the palate plus a touch of honey and stone fruit. Medium-plus body.
Bodegas Salentein Reserve Chardonnay 2020, Argentina – A light lemon green colour. A light toasty nose which continues to the palate. Off-dry, soft with medium acidity. Apples and bruised apples on the palate along with light pepperiness. Elegant.
Escorihuela Gascon 1884 Estate Grown Malbec 2021, Argentina – Deep garnet with a hint of ruby colour. Light chocolate and ripe black cherry nose. Medium plus body, soft, round velvet texture. Medium acidity and tannins. Oak, red cherries and ripe black fruit. Sweet fruit on the finish.
Luigi Bosca Pinot Noir 2021, Argentina – A light garnet colour. Light smoky and red fruit aromas. Dry, light body and tannins. Ripe sweet cherry flavour.
Pascual Toso Alta Malbec 2020, Argentina – Very deep garnet and ruby colour. Medium-intensity ripe red fruit and cedar aromas. Medium-plus body, round and smooth mouthfeel. Medium acidity. Cedar, red berry fruit and a touch of sweet spices on the palate.
Concha y Toro Marques de Casa Concha Carmenere 2021, Chile – A medium-intensity garnet and ruby mixed colour. Quite aromatic with dark fruit, chocolate, and capsicum aromas. Medium-plus body, soft and round mouthfeel. Capsicum and black fruit flavours. Medium acidity and tannins. A touch of pepperiness on the finish.
Vina Errazuriz Max Reserva Carmenere 2021, Chile – Medium intensity translucent garnet colour. Light capsicum, toast and red fruit aromas. Dry, medium-plus body. More capsicum on the palate along with red fruits and cherries. Medium acidity and tannins. Tasty.
Vina Errazuriz Don Maximiano Founder’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, Chile – Medium garnet colour. Light intensity dark fruit and oak aromas. Medium body, dry, lean, with a light mouthfeel. Blackberries and a touch of oak flavours. Medium tannins.
Catena Zapata Nicolas Catena Zapata 2019, Argentina – A deep dull translucent garnet colour. Medium intensity ripe berry nose. Medium plus body, with a roundish mouthfeel. Sweet berries and light peppery flavour. Medium acidity and lighter tannins.
Marques de Casa Concha y Toro Cabernet Sauvignon 2020, Chile – Medium intensity dull garnet colour. Lighter intensity dusty red and black fruit nose. Medium-plus body, round and smooth mouthfeel. Medium acidity. Red fruit, candied red cherries, sweet spices and pepperiness on the palate.
Santa Rita Medalla Real Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, Chile – Medium translucent garnet colour. A light berry fruit nose. A light mouthfeel. Raspberries and other berries flavour. Bright fruit flavours. Medium -plus acidity and medium tannins.
Bodega Garzon Single Vineyard Petit Verdot 2020, Uruguay – Deeper garnet colour. Medium-minus aromas of dark fruit and cocoa. Medium body with a smooth mouthfeel. Lower acidity and fine tannins. Soft flavours of McIntosh apples and dark fruit. – 
I selected Malbecs from Argentina, Carmenere and Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile most often as my favourite wines from the Southern Hemisphere. Sauvignon Blanc was the most selected white varietal, coming from Chile. I think most of the Sauvignon Blanc wines I tried that I enjoyed were from the cool-climate Leyda Valley in Chile.
The Rest of the World
Nicholas Feuillatte Reserve Exclusive Brut, France – This Champagne has a nice bready aroma. Medium body and body. Citrus plus crisp and bruised apple flavours. –
Bottega Gold NV, Italy – This prosecco has a water-white colour. Medium stone fruit nose. Medium sweetness and body. Lingering creamy bubble. Citrus and stone fruit flavours. Medium-plus length.
Wente Vineyards Morning Fog Chardonnay 2021, California – Medium lemon colour. Rich ripe tropical fruit aromas. Dry, medium-plus body, round and smooth mouthfeel. Tropical fruit along with a touch of nutmeg flavours.
Willamette Valley Vineyards Dijon Clone Chardonnay 2021, Oregon – Nice aromas of citrus and stone fruits. Light body with a lightly round mouthfeel. Medium acidity. Green melon and a little buttery. Medium length.
Piper Heidsieck Brut NV, France – This Champagne has a light citrus, apple and bready nose. Fuller body with medium-sized bubble. Dry with medium plus acidity. |Bready, toast and citrus flavours. Very tasty.
I checked my tasting notes, and it looks like I only tried white and sparkling wines from the rest of the world. If you tasted an excellent red wine, not from South America, please leave a comment below. Cheers.
