Let's talk little, let's talk wine
Description of the Santa Rita Winery
Domaine Santa Rita is deeply rooted in Chile's wine landscape, famous for its meticulous and innovative approach to viticulture. The estate is particularly renowned for its excellence in producing wines that faithfully express the Chilean terroir. By focusing on key grape varieties such as Carmenere, Santa Rita succeeds in producing wines that combine aromatic richness, complexity and elegance, demonstrating Chile's unique character.
Description of the Cuvée Santa Rita Pewen Carmenere
Cuvée Santa Rita Pewen Carmenere represents an exceptional expression of this iconic grape variety, reflecting the estate's expertise and passion for wine. Coming from meticulously chosen vineyards, this cuvée embodies the quintessence of Carmenere, with particular attention paid to the quality and expression of the fruit. Pewen, which means "sacred tree" in the indigenous language, symbolizes the deep connection between Chile's wine, terroir and traditions. This vintage offers a unique taste experience, marked by remarkable depth and sophistication.
Aromas of the Cuvée
Pewen Carmenere is distinguished by a rich and complex bouquet, where aromas of black fruits such as blackcurrant and blackberry dominate, enriched by spicy notes, herbaceous touches and a slight woodiness. These aromas are complemented by nuances of chocolate and coffee, resulting from careful aging which adds complexity without masking the fruit.
Characteristics of the Cuvée
- Grape variety: Carmenere
- Profile: An elegant and structured wine, with ripe tannins and balanced acidity, which contribute to a velvety and harmonious tasting. The Pewen Carmenere vintage is characterized by a long and tasty finish, reflecting the excellence of Chilean Carmenere.
- Aging Potential: Although compelling in its youth for its intensity and finesse, this Carmenere also has aging potential, promising to evolve and reveal additional dimensions of complexity with time.
Pairings with this Cuvée
Santa Rita Pewen Carmenere is perfect to accompany robust and flavorful dishes, such as grilled red meats, spicy stews or dishes based on grilled vegetables. Its rich and complex profile makes it an ideal partner for elaborate meals and special occasions.
Where are we traveling?
Vallée Centrale
La vallée centrale (El Valle Central) du Chili est l'une des plus importantes régions viticoles d'Amérique du Sud en termes de volume mais également en termes de distance. Elle s'étend de la vallée de Maipo (juste au sud de Santiago) à l'extrémité sud de la vallée de Maule. Cette distance de près de 400 km couvre plusieurs types de climat et on trouve dans cette vaste région une grande variété de styles et de qualités de vin, provenant de nombreux terroirs différents.
Vallée de Colchagua
Situé dans la vallée centrale, au centre du Chili, la vallée de Colchagua est particulièrement réputée pour ses cépages rouges. La vallée de Colchagua, un mot qui signifie "lieu des petits lacs", était la limite sud de l'empire inca et devint plus tard le lieu choisi par les familles de l'oligarchie chilienne pour construire de grandes demeures, dont certaines sont encore debout. Colchagua est l'une des vallées transversales de la Vallée Centrale du Chili, dont les terres sont baignées par les eaux du fleuve Tinguiririca, et réputé pour l'excellente qualité du sol. Elle possède un microclimat parfait pour la culture de raisins tels que le Cabernet Sauvignon, qui représente une part importante de l'ensemble des vignobles de la vallée, ainsi que le célèbre cépage perdu d'Europe, le Carmenere, qui produit des vins uniques au monde. Parmi les vins rouges de la région, la Syrah se distingue également.
The little history of the country
Chile
It was Hernán Cortés who ordered, upon the conquest of Mexico, the cultivation of vines in 1524. It gradually extended from Mexico southwards to reach Chile in 1555. During the first 3 centuries of colonization, there was no Cultivated in Chile as país, a black grape variety without character and very productive. It was not until the middle of the 19th century that noble varieties were introduced: mainly cabernet sauvignon, merlot, syrah, sauvignon blanc and chardonnay. Twenty years later, winemaking was modernized under the leadership of wealthy owners and French experts who were forced into unemployment by phylloxera in Europe. Chile stretches 4,300 kilometers from north to south. It is wedged between the Pacific Ocean to the west, the Andes Mountains to the east, the Atacama Desert to the north, the Patagonian plains and glaciers to the south. These natural barriers prevented phylloxera from entering the country. Although the country is only 160 kilometers wide, it has ideal conditions for growing warm, intermediate and cool grape varieties, so much so that it is often described as a paradise for growing grapes. With nearly 300 properties producing bottled wines, Chile fluctuates between 6th and 8th place in the world.