Wines For The Holidays

Chile, where the sliver of land stretches from antarctic circle in the south, the south pacific ocean to the West, the Andean Mountains to her East and deserts to the north. As far as secrets go, Chile has managed to hide her jewels in plain sight. When it comes to her land's Cabernet, she has managed a flavor that is enticing on the pallet combined with a character that is unmistakeable. It is an exercise in redefining the Bordeaux! We all know what I wil be serving this wine for christmas

Chilean vintage is not something that most novices can claim affinity. Only the true connoisseur, unafraid of dissenting opinion will venture a true cometary. The taste, it turns out is a function of two factors. Geography, off course, is the major factor, and second is the economics of the region, and its people.

The unparallelled terrain and Geo location sets the stage for a climate like no other. The soil is perfect as a result. The valleys measure the rain perfectly. The sun arrives at the right time of the process. And last, but not least by any measure, the people - who have toiled the soil with as much affection as raising a new born.

All of Chile is enamored by Chilean Wine, and so they should be as this little gem of a secret has been guarded so well until now. And now the word has started to spread, and the rest of the world is catching on. Some of the most sophisticated investors have also caught wind of this and have started to take this industry seriously. With nature, the toil of the heart and the wisdom of the smart money, the Chilean wine industry has started to bear fruit - no pun intended.

A little known secret beyond the Andes, is a medium bodied grape that has been the source of bold reds. The reds comparable to Bordeaux. This is the Carmenre. It has had its challenges gaining root here in Chile but it has against all odds. Carmenere is an ancient variety that owes its DNA to the earliest French Bordeaux. The trick to cultivating this ancient ambrosia is elevated heat during the ripening process. This results in a color so deep and a flavor that is so complex, it has seasoned connoisseurs attempting to define its tapestry.

This complex lineage is thought to have traced back to the Grand Vidure or possibly Biturica and may very possibly have preceded even Bordeaux as the name of that city.