guest review by Hrayr Berberoglu, January 30, 2005
Chile’s vineyards have been producing fine fruit for centuries, but in the last two decades, viticultural research in conjunction with substantial amounts of capital improved quality immeasurably.
Well-established large wineries make and market superb wines that can compete with the best anywhere.
Recent developments indicate that all are now making concerted efforts to increase their world market share, and they stand a very good chance in succeeding simply because their prices are more than competitive. Labour costs are low, land is inexpensive, and vineyard maintenance requires fewer hours than those on steep slopes, as is the case in many European regions. Weather patterns remain constant year after year. Variances are small enough to be barely noticeable.
So successful have been the likes of Concha y Toro, Vina Cousino-Macul, Vina Santa Rita, Vina Santa Carolina, and Errazuriz that European wineries felt compelled to invest in the Chilean viticulture. Casa Lapostolle, Baron de Rothschild, Caliterra and Torres are only some of the famous investors.
Recently the Chilean trade commissioner in Toronto staged a blind tasting of her country’s wines.
The results were revealing to say the least. Label bias was excluded, and as a result, tasters (mostly wine writers) recorded their impressions without prejudice.