South America has emerged as a vibrant and dynamic wine-producing region, captivating wine
enthusiasts with its diverse and high-quality offerings. The continent’s innovative winemaking
techniques, unique terroir and a commitment to quality have positioned countries like Chile,
Argentina and Uruguay as top choices for wine lovers around the globe. At our monthly wine club
in April, we explored some of these regions and their wines. We tried many wines during the
evening but here are a few examples you may want to look at yourself as something a little different.
Chile’s wine industry is renowned for its exceptional diversity and consistency. One of
Chile’s standout varietals is Carmenère, a grape originally from Bordeaux that has found its true
home in Chilean soil. Known for its deep colour, smooth tannins, and distinctive flavours of red
fruits and spices, Carmenère has become a symbol of Chilean winemaking excellence. We tried a De
Martino Legardo, which was lovely and smooth, showing typical Carmenère characteristics. If you
have never tried this grape variety before then it is definitely something to explore.
Argentina is synonymous with Malbec, a grape that has flourished in the high-altitude vineyards
of the Andes. The Mendoza region, in particular, is celebrated for producing Malbecs. However,
Argentia is much more than just Malbec and we tried Buenas Vidas, specially selected Cabernet
Franc for our first red of the evening. A nice change to a Malbec and one that is perfect for
drinking now: try it with your pizza this Summer!
While smaller in scale compared to its neighbours, Uruguay’s wine industry is making waves with its
distinctive and high-quality offerings. The country’s flagship grape, Tannat, is celebrated for
its bold tannins, deep colour, and complex flavours of dark berries and spices. We tried the Pisano
family selection grand reserva Tannat. If you are looking for a bold wine and want to try something
a little different then please give this one a go!
Interestingly, all the wines we tried promoted the “sustainable” nature of how their wines were
made. This made us question what this actually meant. Broadly, this looks at wine producing
methods that are environmentally friendly, socially responsible and economically viable, ensuring
vineyards can thrive for generations to come. Farmers embrace techniques such as water
conservation, using renewable energy and ethical labour practices to produce their wine.
If you have never tried wines from South America, then please do give them a try as an emerging
continent that has plenty to explore. You can find out what wines we tried and details of how to join
us on 21st May at 8pm in the village hall by logging on to out website, when we will be looking at wines
for the Summer. Hope to see you there!