Homeward Bound

Right, let's try again! I wrote a piece, reviewed it and then managed to delete it before I published it - doh!

So, tomorrow I begin a rather long, convoluted journey home and it will be with mixed emotions. It's a been an exhausting but thoroughly enjoyable visit to Chile and Argentina with many memorable moments along the way. However, the prospect of being in one place for more than a night and the opportunity to unpack all those clothes that, once again, I haven't used is looking very attractive!

Today was another photo opportunity with me appearing on a horse once again. Until last week, my first 36 years have been rather lacking in the horse department but I'm making up for it now with mucho gusto. Last week it was at Botalcura, then on Friday I was greeted at Undurraga in Maipo by a horse drawn cart ready to take me on a tour of the vineyards. Then, today, in temperatures more akin to a Scottish mid-winter, I left the fantastic Estancia de Pablo atop another sedate mare called Pajo. With less of an appetite than last weeks victim, we made a happy pair, trotting along beside babbling brooks filled with rainbow trout whilst freezing various outer extremities off! Back at the Estancia, we were greeted with hot Mate ( a type of infused herb hot drink), coffee and incredibly moreish sobepillas. It's a great place and one that would be lovely to go back to in better weather.

On the work front, Zuccardi has been innovating as usual and this Autumn will see the release of a great new range with some exciting new styles for Argentina. One has to amire the passion and commitment that Zuccardi inspires and the levels of help and hospitality are a lesson to us all....

So, what of this visit? What will it mean to Alliance?

Well......I'm not going to tell you just yet. A little distance and 15 hours on a plane home will hopefully bring about a brief moment of clarity. What is for sure though is that we haven't seen the best of South America just yet. I've seen some world class wines, some superb value wines and some sleeping giants who's dozing days are over. There are some great opportunities for those wineries wishing to accept the challenge of making exciting, characterful wines with a clear sense of place and whilst the economic situation for some in Chile is currently challenging, there are plenty that are eager to have a go.

As a company that has a superb Spanish portfolio, it is tempting to extend that to all hispanic wines.....watch this space for future developments...

Adios amigos

Hasta Luega

All wined out?

One week into the trip and we've got the blog working. Better late than never eh?

Having only visited Chile once before, this trip was always going to be an adventure and it has certainly been that. I've seen hundreds of wines in many of the most prominent Chilean wine regions and I think I finally "get" Chile!

I initially thought that picking up a car and getting myself around would be the best bet but in the end, I left myself at the mercy of my poor planning and have relied to friendly Chilean winery owners to ferry me about - it's worked out pretty well really and those car journies have let me find out a little more about the people behind the wine. It's firmly emphasised what a small industry we all work in......and that most Chilean drivers are frustrated rally participants.

Highlights so far?

The visit to Botalcura, though obviously very hard work most of the time (?), was made memorable by my first time on a horse. Though my docile mare was more interested in stuffing her face with lush grass than galloping, it was a great experience seeing Botalcura's massive new olive plantation from the back of a horse......

Most extraordinary wine so far has to be from top San Antonio producer Matetic. Their EQ Syrah and the yet to be launched super premium Syrah were both world class. Wines such as these are setting the tone for a Chile that more confidently plants the right varieties in the right regions.

Most entertaining story so far was from a certain Maipo producer who regailed the story of his sister's wedding where only a minute before the vows, the priest marrying them decided to step off this mortal coil. It seems a little unsympathetic to laugh but it was told in the best of humour!

Tomorrow I have another major Maipo producer to visit and the it's off to Mendoza to meet those nice folk at Zuccardi......