Taste of Chile Vancouver

October 7, 2010

This afternoon I was invited to taste the Wines of Chile at W2 Storyeum in Gastown.

Chilean wines are quickly growing in the competitive Canadian market, and have already surpassed Canada’s own wine market in the past year. Over 300 wines were represented as part of a national tour being featured in Montreal and Toronto as well.

[Tasting a Sauvignon Blanc from Casas del Bosque]

A photo exhibit entitled Shaken, But Not Broken by English photographer Matt Wilson (now living in the Colchagua Valley) was mounted as an initiative for the Levantando Chile fund, set up by Wines of Chile and NESsT to support earthquake recovery efforts.

[Wines of Chile artwork]

There was a large room devoted to wines from A-Z. We were handed a guidebook at the entrance which was the only way to stay on track with the enormous selection on offer!

[Greydon Ludgate and Brianne Bury of International Cellars]

Tasty nibbles were on hand courtesy of Chef Ann Kirseböm, famous for her gourmet sauces.

[Cranberry and Red Onion Confit with Bleu Cheese on Gone Crackers]

[Chef Ann Kirseböm]

I was on a mission today to find the best Sauvignon Blanc of the bunch. I wound up tasting 20 from the dozens available. Here’s my personal top five:

1. Montgras Properties Amaral Sauvignon Blanc 2010 (Leyda Valley)
2. Quintay Sauvignon Blanc 2009 (Casablanca Valley)
3. Luis Felipe Edwards Sauvignon Blanc Family Selection 2010 (Leyda Valley)
4. Viña Hacienda Araucano Sauvignon Blanc 2010 (Central Valley)
5. Viña Casas del Bosque Sauvignon Blanc Casa Viva 2009 (Casablanca Valley)

In the end however I couldn’t resist capping off the event with a red. I fell in love with a 70 dollar bottle of Viu I Malbec 2008 from Viu Manent winery!

The event was open to the public in the evening from 7 – 9:30 pm.

Sovrn

Tagged in: Events, Gastown, Taste Chile 2010, Vancouver, W2 Storyeum, wine tasting

8 Comments

Comment by Andrea Ilabaca — October 8, 2010 @ 8:50 am

Hello! We are honoured to know that you enjoyed and preferred our Amaral Sauvignon Blanc 2010!! It is indeed a great wine! We hope you taste and enjoy all our wines which apart from Amaral include MontGras, Ninquen and Intriga… If you like reds… these will definitely exceed your expectations!

All the best,

Andrea Ilabaca
Marketing & PR Director
MontGras Properties
Comment by Karen G — October 8, 2010 @ 4:07 pm

Did you get a chance to try the Underraga TH (Terroir Hunter) Sauvignon Blanc? I was pouring that in the evening and it was really refreshing.
Comment by arianec — October 8, 2010 @ 4:43 pm

@Karen,

Why yes, I did! I sampled both the Terroir Hunter and the Central Valley varietals. Both tasty wines. Happy Thanksgiving 🙂
Pingback by Dish 'n' Dazzle Contest | ariane c design — May 30, 2011 @ 4:28 pm

[…] attended the Wines of Chile event last year and had a great time learning about various Chilean wines while meeting some great people in the […]
Comment by Matt — March 3, 2012 @ 6:22 am

Hi, I know this is like two years out of date, but you have linked the wrong Matt Wilson photographer to the exhibition ‘Shaken but not broken” image! My site is (www.mattwilson.cl) Have no idea who that other Matt Wilson is! 🙂
Comment by arianec — March 3, 2012 @ 10:33 am

Sorry about that! Fixed in post this morning. Just tasted several Chilean Syrahs last night. Chile is the focus country for this year’s Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival. Salut!
Comment by Matt — March 3, 2012 @ 2:43 pm

My wife is there. Andrea Leon from Lapostolle. Plus all the big posters around the room are mine. British Colombia is my fav new client! 🙂
Comment by arianec — March 3, 2012 @ 4:42 pm

Small world! Lapostolle’s Casa Chardonnay 2011 is mentioned in my international festival tasting post > http://arianecdesign.com/vpiwf-2012-intl-festival-tasting