After tasting more than 1,000 samples for our recent two-part Chile report, one of our takeaways was how well syrah and carignan showed, almost stealing the limelight cast on this South American wine hub, which is known for its great value and very high average quality bottles.
While carmenere is still one of the most signature and commercially important red grapes from Chile, its status is being challenged by the other ambitious contenders in the mid-price range, be they syrah, carignan or even Mediterranean blends that mix the unique, Chile-style freshness into rich and appetizingly spicy wines.
The Mediterranean aspect of Chile includes an array of varietal wines and their blends. Putting the spicy yet diverse syrah and the mouth-watering carignan aside, producers like P.S. Garcia, Lapostolle, Viña Koyle, Clos de Luz, Maturana and Lagar de Codegua have shown commitment in their varietal grenache – and in a few cases, in mourvedre and marselan, too.
The Itata Valley’s lighter, fresh and fruity cinsault also demands attention. De Martino, Montes, Carmen, Garage and Torres have delivered very impressive varietal cinsault through different winemaking techniques, showing perfumed cherry and bramble fruit as they punctuate freshness, drinkability and the tactile allure of the grape.
The adoption of the GSM blend in Chile underlines the switch in the country from varietal wines to a much broader spectrum of blending options – either based on Mediterranean grapes or adorned by them. For example, we found a few GCMs (carignan in the place of syrah) quite interesting.
