Casablanca Sauvignon Blanc, organic reds, Cabernet Sauvignons and Carmeneres stole the show at the first Annual Wines of Chile Awards held in Santiago last week.
Over 400 wines were entered by wineries from all over Chile. The top trophy went to Coyam 2001 – a Merlot, Carmenère and Cabernet blend, from the fully organic vineyard owned by Viñedos Organicos Emiliana.
Twenty-three gold medals, 37 silvers, and 141 bronzes were awarded. The results were diverse, encompassing many different regions and styles, although red blends took nearly a third of all gold medals – 7 golds were awarded from just 39 red blend entries.
Michael Cox, UK director of Wines of Chile, said, ‘the results have thrown up some interesting surprises, not least with two trophies going to wines from the Limarí Valley in the far north. The atmosphere was fantastic, and the Chileans are justifiably proud of their new-found confidence to perform on the world’s wine stage.’
Judging took place on 15 and 16 December. Judges were Tim Atkin MW, Steve Daniel, Sarah Jane Evans, Robert Joseph, Jancis Robinson MW, Anthony Rose, Patricio Tapia, one of Chile’s leading wine journalists, Chilean winemaker and organic specialist Alvaro Espinoza and sommelier Hector Vegara.
Full results:
Viñedos Orgánicos Emiliana, Coyam 2001: Best of Show
Concha y Toro Marqués de Casa Concha, Cabernet sauvignon 2001: Best Value Red
Viña Ventisquero, Yali Sauvignon Blanc Reserve 2003: Best Value White
Viña Chocalan, Cabernet sauvignon 2003: Cabernet Sauvignon Trophy
Viña Casa Silva, Doña Dominga Reserva Carménère 2002: Carmenère Trophy
Viña Altair, Tabalí Reserve Chardonay 2003: Chardonnay Trophy
Viña Echeverria, Late Harvest Special Selection Sauvignon blanc 2001: Late Harvest Trophy
Viña La Rosa, Don Reca Limited Release, Merlot 2002: Merlot Trophy
Viña Cono Sur, 20 Barrels Pinot Noir 2001: Pinot Noir Trophy
Viñedos Orgánicos Emiliana, Coyam 2001: Red Blend Trophy
Viña Ventisquero, Yali Sauvignon blanc Reserve 2003: Sauvignon Blanc Trophy
Viña Altair, Tabalí Reserve Shiraz 2002 : Syrah/Shiraz Trophy
Written by Adam Lechmere
