Wines: Eight strains you may not have tasted but it’s time to check out

Romano is a strain of French origin — known there as César Noir — which, by chance, in the late 1990s, was found in Chile in very small quantities. It’s still a rarity for domestic consumers, but luckily this El Pacto novel is a great way to approach it.

It is a Cauquenes wine, 100% Roman and quite complex in aromas: there are red and black fruits, as well as a little menthol. On the palate it is deep, with some bitter chocolate and lingering acidity. A great wine, which should be served around 15 degrees. Ideal for a good selection of hot sausages.

Peter Richards, one of the most familiar British wine critics on the national wine scene, always says: “don’t tear up the Semillon vines anymore”. It is estimated that currently, and with luck, there are only about 700 hectares of semillón in Chile. Very little for one of the main strains of our white wines until the mid-eighties. If you want to know — or remember — semillón, you can get a bottle of it made by Morandé, which is at a very good price. With this intense yellow and its acid touches, it seems to call for clams al matico. And be careful: serve at around 18 degrees.

Grenache or Garnacha: one of the most planted vines in the world and which, here in Chile, is gradually gaining followers. They are very juicy reds, full of red fruits and very pleasant to drink. So it is for example grenache from the PS García vineyard, made with grapes from the Itata Valley, which is very good to accompany a rack of grilled pork and even mussels with claws. At what temperature is it served? Hopefully no more than 18 degrees.

Also known as monastrell, it is widely grown in Europe and California. In these regions, yes, it always seems to be a novelty, although fortunately good exhibitors can already be found. Like this one, for example, from the Lagar de Codegua vineyard: with very good acidity and pleasant on the palate, it has herbaceous notes and others more fruity.

The truth is that it is a very versatile wine when it comes to food. He defends himself against a provoleta but he also does it with a marinated lever. Serve at around 15 degrees.

They say there is no better wine for lamb than a Syrah. Of course: maybe for a curry of this meat, with lots of seasoning, a cold beer would be better; however, if the lamb was cooked on the grill, this strain will fit you like a glove.

For example, a bottle of Syrah from the Siegel vineyard, in the Colchagua Valley: it has a very good value for money and a softness in the mouth that helps to reduce the power of the meat and the fat of the lamb. A luxury of wine and for very few lucas, which must be served at no more than 17 degrees.

A popular grape in Germany and parts of France is Gewürztraminer, which some Chilean vineyards have been concerned with producing for several decades now. This is the case of AltaCima, from the Lontué valley, which with its Gewürztraminer 4090 Reserva, delivers a very fresh and fruity white wine, but with a slightly acidic touch. Ideal for a shrimp pad thai. Remember to serve it at 16 degrees maximum.

This variety was known for years in Chile as “cargadora”, due to the abundance of clusters it usually delivers. Originally from the south of France, he found his habitat here in the Itata valley. It is precisely from there, more precisely from the Guarilihue sector, that this Cinsault 100% from the Martino vineyard comes from. A light, pure fruit wine that literally lives like grape juice. Pleasant to the palate and smell, infallible for a smoked sierra or steamed mussels. If it is served around 17 degrees, it is much better.

Carignan is another variety that has seen an increase in consumption in recent years, mainly due to the work that several wineries have carried out in the search for old vines of this variety, which are mainly in the central-southern area of ​​the region. country. .

A clear example of all this is the Crazy Rows series from the Bisquertt vineyard. This Carignan from Maule is very fruity and light, ideal to drink on a hot afternoon by the pool. Hopefully no more than 14 degrees.

*Prices for products in this item are updated as of January 17, 2023. Values ​​and availability may change.