Rapel Valley,
Chile- based Anakena winery was a star winner at the
fifth Wines of Chile Awards held in Santiago, with
its single vineyard Viognier and Pinot Noir getting
top honours.
Anakena wines are imported by High
Spirits in India. They were initially brought
into India by Rhine and Raavi who have now discontinued
wine imports. Says Sanjeev Gupta, partner of High
Spirits, 'I was always very happy about the quality
and price of Anakena
and when I knew Rhine and Raavi had decided to abandon
the product, I immediately took up the exclusive distributorship.'
'I am sure my customers who put
their confidence in me, would be very pleased that
the winery we are dealing with, produces quality value-for-money
wines,' he added with a smile.
Felipe Ibáñez, President
of Anakena says he is very happy too. 'Wines of Chile
Awards have a special significance for Chilean wines.
By recognising two of our wines as the top wines in
their category, the judges have recognised the full
expression extracted from our vines growing on the
Andean soil.' 'I am also happy with the efforts of
High Spirits in bring this terroir to the lovely people
of India,' he added.
The award ceremony took place last
Thursday at a gala dinner, an impressive event, held
in a lovely setting in an old, grand house in Santiago,
with a great band, a Chilean TV and movie star hosting,
and lots of dancing.
No gold medals were awarded to Cabernet
Sauvignon wines from the renowned Cabernet region
of Maipo Valley. There were no gold medals for white
varietals from the cool clime Casablanca Valley either.
Chardonnay and Merlot were also not found worthy of
the top honours, but Carmenère received top
medals.
Nine experts from UK judged the
annual competition, which is very significant for
the UK market
Speaking at a seminar during the
awards, Joanna Simon, wine correspondent for the Sunday
Times of UK, urged Chilean winemakers to try and reduce
the high alcohol levels in their wines and restrict
the use of oak and make lighter, zestier tasting wines.
Incidentally, Chilean wine exports
have reached record levels both in value and volume.
The value of wine exported has surpassed US$1.1b,
an increase of 30% over 2006. The average price fetched
for Chilean wine is up over 5 percent, an indication
of a higher demand for premium wines. Bulk wine exports
also went up by 38%. Chile has temporarily benefitted
from the Australian drought continuing for the second
year.
Trophy Winners
Sauvignon Blanc : Alta Tierra Sauvignon
Blanc 2007
Other White : Anakena, Roots of the
Andes Single Vineyard Viognier 2007
Pinot Noir : Anakena, ONA Pinot Noir
2007
Carmenere : Arboleda, Carmenere 2006
Syrah: Mayu, Syrah Reserva 2006
Cabernet Sauvignon : Tabontinaja, Gillmore Hacedor
de Mundos, Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2005
Best Value White ; Alta Tierra Sauvignon Blanc 2007
Best Value Red : Luis Felipe Edwards, Reserva Cabernet
Sauvignon 2006
Best in Show : La Rosa, Ossa Sixth Generation, Red
Blend 2004
<DelWine has frequently
voiced our concern in the increasing levels of alcohol,
especially in Spain and New World wines from Australia,
UK and Chile. Not only does high alcohol make wines
less suitable for food, it also reduces the safe quantity
of wine one can drink and enjoy without causing any
harm or impair driving capability
Similarly, there has been a
tendency to over-oak the wines in order to make them
more powerful and tannic- especially the whites like
Chardonnay.
Although this process is being
followed, supposedly so they can score high with the
Maha-guru Robert Parker, it is not a good sign. Fortunately,
the trends are changing and even in UK and USA more
and more people are insisting on lower alcohol and
less oaking as evinced by Ms. Simmons in her seminar.
DelWine fully supports her stand.
We hope our Indian producers
will keep this in mind too- editor>
|
