Have a Chilean at the Table
You can never go wrong with a Chilean at the table, especially because it pairs so deliciously with food. In Chile they make a little sparkling wine and a fair amount of white wine, but above all, a whole lot of red wine. And oh boy, that’s exactly what you want at the table! I’ll recommend two of my favorites.
Chile has been producing wine since 1548, when the first monk introduced old European grapevines for making sacramental wine. Yet it wasn’t until 1980 that Chilean wines became somewhat known here. By now, things have really taken off, and Chile is one of the most important wine-producing countries in South America.
Ripe and meaty
Most Chilean wines are made from a single grape variety, often clearly stated on the label. 75% of the grapes grown are red, led by the internationally renowned cabernet sauvignon. Colchagua Valley, south of the Chilean capital Santiago, is sometimes compared to Napa Valley in California, because just like there, the most beautiful ripe and meaty red wines come from here. Often made from cabernet sauvignon, but also from carmenère, the originally French grape that established itself in Chile as a source of national pride. You’ll also find merlot and syrah. They benefit from intense sunlight but don’t overheat thanks to the proximity of the ocean. As a result, they become beautifully ripe without losing their freshness.
Delicious blend
MontGras Quatro is the first Chilean wine in which all four grapes (cabernet sauvignon, syrah, carmenère and malbec) have been blended together. All the wonderful things Chile has to offer in red wine, in one bottle! Looking for the ultimate Christmas wine? This just might be it. The beautiful label is designed each year by a new, young artist. The contents are anything but contrived: Quatro is intensely fruity and wonderfully spicy.
And the same goes for MontGras Antu Carmenère. Because of the wines’ spiciness, they work particularly well with spicy dishes. Think spiced pork, Indian cuisine, lamb curry or vegetarian curry, Thai food (fish cakes!). Or how about ribs from the winter barbecue, grilled green asparagus and courgette. All irresistible! And if the fireplace is glowing, the Antu may be even more delicious served slightly chilled.
No arm and a leg
I can hear you thinking, ‘yes, that sounds delicious, but it’ll probably cost an arm and a leg too.’ But ha, that’s another great thing about Chilean wine: the price-to-quality ratio is fantastic. MontGras Antu Carmenère (2015) costs 16.95 euros and is available at de Bijenkorf. MontGras Quatro (2018) costs just under ten euros. Thank me later!
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