The WINES FROM CHILE have EVOLVED into WORLD CLASS WINES...by Philip S. Kampe

There is a 'NEW WORLD' of 'OLD WORLD' flavors and nuances in the numerous 'Wines From Chile' I recently tasted at the TEdwards (Tom Byrnes) Open House tasting in NYC.

Jorge Perez, a wine searcher, for TEdwards in South America, has created a portfolio of wines from Chile that rival all other importers/distributors in America.

Jorge Perez may be the new Becky Wasserman or Kermit Lynch.

His talent is obvious....and his wine legacy begins.

Jorge explained the vastness of size that Chile represents. There are over 250,000 acres of vineyards that stretch from the Pacific Ocean through the Andes Mountains to the Atacama Desert, producing wines that benefit from sunny days, cool nights and a variety of soils.
This Mediterranean climate, plus top-notch winemakers produce some of the world's greatest wines, still at affordable prices. The result is greater diversity and a large selection, of both reds and whites.

AMAYNA

These magnificent wines are the project of visionary Antonio Garces Silva, a pioneer of the San Antonio Valley, which is a sub-appellation of the Leyda valley. Rolling hills and a clay/granite blend make up the terroir for winemaker Jose Ponce Sanhueza.

2008 Amayna Sauvignon Blanc Leyda Valley at $18 in your wine shop captures the essence of the grape. The wine was crisp, mineral and herbaceous with hints of straw and hay.

2007 Amayna Pinot Noir Leyda Valley at $24 was my favorite wine at the tasting. This Burgindian style Pinot Noir was velvety, with hints of cherry, smoke, strawberry and vanilla. (Put this wine in your cellar for the next 5-10 years.)

CARTAGENA

Cartagena vineyards are located only 2.5 miles from the Pacific Ocean. Conceived in 2000 by winemaker Maria Luz Marin (owner of Casa Marin), the vineyard has been described as the most daring and innovative vineyard in Chile. Surrounded by steep coastal mountains in the extreme western San Antonio region, the unique microclimate produces pure and structured wines with integrity.

2008 Cartagena Gewurztraminer San Antonio Valley at $16 rivals wines from Alsace. The crisp, intense, lychee, spicy wine is a must for spicy food or as an elegant wine for the summer.

2006 Cartagena Pinot Noir San Antoinio Valley at $23 a bottle is a treasure of a Pinot Noir. The wine is very earthy and fruity with hints of smoke from the oak.

ANITYAL

Alvaro Espinoza has only an acre where he grows his Cabernet and blends it with Syrah and Carmenere from his late father's vineyard. Located in the Maipo Valley, Alvaro makes only 400 cases of wine a year.

2007 Antiyal Alto de Maipo Valley, is his biodynamic blend. At $45 a bottle, this plummy, smoky, herbacious wine is made to honor 'the ancient traditions and cosmic vision of the people of the earth'.

DOMUS AUREA

We had the opportunity to have a Vertical Tasting of Domus Aurea Cabernet Sauvignon's from 2007 to 2003. These wines from the Maipo Valley are world class Grand Crus and are considered some of Chile's finest wines.

CASA JULIA

Pablo Morande, Casa Julia's winemaker, planted his first vines in 1982. He is considered to have brought Chile's wines to the rest of the world. He is a pioneer who is regarded as 'Chile's finest. Twice, he has been voted, ' Winemaker of the Year.

2007 Casa Julia Carmenere and 2007 Casa Julia Caberenet Reserve at $14 a bottle are great wines to purchase to start your journey into the wines from Chile.

Other wines of interest from Chile include the wines from NUYEN, ECHEVERRIA, and VINA
AQUITANIA.

TEdward Wines are distributed throughout America. You can read or watch videos about their wines at http://www.tedwardwines.com/ . They can be reached at (212) 233-1504.

Another Chilean wine resource is http://www.winesofchile.org/ . Wines of Chile is located at 221 Centre Street in NYC. Their phone number is: (212) 219-9360.

Attached to their office is 'Puro Chile', a New York based, private, wine and gourmet shop carrying products only from Chile. They can be reached at (212) 925-7876 or at http://www.puro-chile.com/

WINES OF CHILE are the FUTURE of SOUTH AMERICA...
Watch out, Argentina!!!!!!!!!

PHILIP S. KAMPE