Tag: chile

Chinese (Lunar) New Year 2026 is the Year of the Fire Horse, starting on February 17, 2026 until February 5, 2027.  The Horse embodies enthusiasm, speed and fieriness, bringing a year focused on bold moves and exploration.  The Year of the Horse brings themes of freedom, action, and momentum, encouraging bold moves, new projects, travel, and social connection, fuelled by…

In my last article on the IVSA trade tasting of wine, beer, and spirits, I concentrated on sparkling wines, but at the end of the tasting, I did take some time to taste a few red wines, and I was pleasantly surprised by all of them, so I am listing them here for you. My Red Wine Picks Ceci Antico…

This 2025, Chile’s Viña Santa Carolina is celebrating a history of tradition, passion for wine, and a heritage that is still alive today, 150 years after its creation.  Throughout its 150 years of existence, Viña Santa Carolina has changed owners only once, when it was acquired by the Larrain family, almost 100 years after its creation.  To celebrate this historic…

Benjamin Mitarakis, Director of Trade Development for Viña Concha y Toro discussing Viña Don Melchor I was recently honoured with the opportunity to sample iconic Cabernet wines by Chile’s Viña Don Melchor with food pairings at Riley’s Fish & Steak in downtown Vancouver. It was a fantastic evening with Benjamin Mitarakis, Director of Trade Development for Viña Concha y Toro,…

When you buy wine in a BC Liquor store, you don’t think about how the wine was selected for the shelves.  Behind the scenes are many wine agencies that search for wines from around the world, to build their portfolio, and have some of their portfolio sold through BC Liquor stores with the remaining wines, usually specialty wines, sold in…

Australia, Argentina, and Chile each boast rich histories of winemaking that reflect their unique terroirs and cultural influences, as well as the origins of their signature grape varietals. Australia’s wine journey began with early European settlers in the 18th century, who quickly recognized the potential of its diverse landscapes, leading to the establishment of iconic regions like Barossa Valley and…

When I was in University many years ago, I purchased a bottle of Maison Louis Latour Chardonnay, that was on their entry-level scale.  That wine sparked my interest in French wine.  In some “New World” regions, Chardonnay has been more recently planted, while other locations have had Chardonnay vines for over 100 years.  Over time, through the wine trade’s many…

One of the newer winemaking families in Chile is the Toro family located in the Maipo and the San Antonio Valley.  They bought their first vineyard in 1998 and made their first wine in 2001 under the label Viña Chocalán. Chocalán is the indigenous word for the yellow blossoms from a shrub that blooms in the area. I received two…

The history of the Carmenère grape is a tale of rediscovery and revitalization, with its roots deeply intertwined with the viticultural landscapes of both France and Chile.  Carmenère faced near-extinction in France due to the phylloxera epidemic in the 19th century. Unbeknownst to many, some vines were transported to Chile before the devastation, where they thrived in the climate and…

This is a new wine to me.  I am usually quite familiar with the wines of Chile.  Cigar Box Pinot Noir comes from the cooler Casablanca Valley, made by the Sur Andino winery.  The Casablanca Valley is located 75 km northwest of Santiago, Chile and is approximately at 33 degrees south latitude, which if it was in the northern hemisphere…