Writes: Max Hartmann (Chile)
@chilewines
The summer season ends in Chile. Moment in which the wine regions begin one of the most beloved traditional festivals in the country, the Harvest Festival. Various activities converge there such as grape treading, Chilean masses, tastings and tastings. As well as local crafts and gastronomy.
It is here where the vineyards have the opportunity to open to the public. Enthusiastic wineries to teach tourists their winemaking techniques, vineyards and excellent wines. Due to geography and climate, the northern part of the country is the first to harvest the grapes, kicking off this festival in the first days of March.
The Colchagua Valley
Around those same dates, the Colchagua Valley, which in its original voice "Colchahuala" means Valley where the Huala (a sacred bird by the Mapuche people) nests, begins its festival. Being this one of the most emblematic in the country.
The main square of Santa Cruz becomes the meeting place for all those who want to live a great experience around wine and in a family atmosphere.
The Viu Manent vineyard, one of the most recognized in the area, stands out for its dedicated production. As well as the traditional activities that take place inside the vineyard: visitors take a ride in a horse-drawn carriage. Leading them through the vineyards, so that they learn about the process carried out by the grape pickers. Key pieces in this great tradition of the Chilean countryside.
The Casablanca Valley
Then the visitor is received in the gardens with an exquisite aperitif: oysters accompanied by a fresh and exquisite Viognier from their secret line.
The Casablanca Valley - located 50 km from Santiago de Chile on the way to the coast - recognized for its excellent quality in white wines. It is also standing out for its cold-weather reds. During this year's celebration it was possible to taste the new red varietal wines that have developed very well in this valley. Between the coastal mountain range and the Pacific Ocean, in one of the narrowest areas of this long Chile. In which the maritime is noted in a very unique way.
The large number of attendees who come to enjoy the typical activities that take place during the party as a family are recurrent. It is common to see many tourists who come especially to learn about the culture and enjoy the benefits of the diversity of Chilean wine. Capable of surprising the most demanding palates.
Not only wine is enjoyed in these places, as there is no shortage of roast lamb on the stick, which takes between 5 to 7 hours to cook. Which invites a great meeting and long conversations around the cooking of this and what better than to accompany it with a drink! . This time we were able to savor a good rib and roast potatoes paired with a delicious Syrah. It took a pause to discover all the sensations caused by the mixture of flavors and aromas.
The rich production of the Maule Valley
In our tour of the harvests of the country we arrived in the Maule Region. This region produces more than half of the country's exports. It rises as the main exponent in the production of wines and acquires every year more prominence in the tourist environment.
Casa Donoso, the emblematic Vineyard of the Maule Valley, has for years produced high quality wines with elegant textures. The attributes of its potential grapes produced in the best terroirs in the region stand out. From March to the end of April they are in the middle of the harvest process.
The producers have recognized that the year was colder and that from the beginning of the harvest there was a slight delay in the ripening of the grapes. This factor did not affect the production of the wines given that the climate in which the grapes grow is dry, preserving their quality.
This perfect combination allowed Carménère to be paired with a cut of smooth pork loin with spices, tomatoes and grilled avocado. All this accompanied by delicate quail eggs.
We cannot stop inviting them to come to Chile. Get to know the wonderful world of wine in person.
They will be amazed!
