Lively Chilean Red Wine: 2017 Ventisquero Grey Glacier Single Block Carménère

This wine is made with grapes grown in one particular block of the coastal vineyards of Chile’s Maipo Valley, and this winery tells us this vineyard is drip-irrigated from its own deep wells.

The wine has fairly intense aromas which emphasize nice dark-red, even purple fruit. There are earthy, leather and even cocoa notes both in the aroma and on the palate. Fine-grained tannins seem to influence the nose as well as the mouthfeel. Lively on the palate, this is a flavorful wine to drink now.

Pair with: meats, hearty cheeses

SUSTAINABILITY STATEMENT: ““Certified Sustainable Wine of Chile” status.Until 2012, this certification only looked at the green area of our work (the vineyards) and Viña Ventisquero was the only winery to have achieved certification for 100% of its vineyards. Now this certification also looks at the red area (the winery buildings) and the orange area (corporate social responsibility).”

WHO: Viña Ventisquero

WHAT: carménère

WHERE: Block #5, La Trinidad Vineyard, Maipo Valley, Chile

HOW MUCH: $20 (media sample)