The Aconcagua Valley is a wine-producing region of Chile, located 100 kilometres (60 miles) North of the capital, Santiago. It was Long thought that this hot, Dry valley was not suitable for growing wine grapes but the quality of the region's modern-day Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot has robustly reversed this opinion.
The Aconcagua Valley is found on the east side of the Aconcagua region, one of Chile's four main producing regions. It takes its name from the eponymous river flowing through it, which in turn is named after the 6,960 meter-high (2,284ft) Mt.
Aconcagua at its eastern end. This is the highest mountain in the Americas and directly contributes to the terroirs found in the valley below.
Measuring around 100km (60 miles) in Length, the valley runs between the slopes of the Andes in the east and the Pacific Ocean in the west. Many wine-growing areas are closely linked to the river and follow its course as it brings fresh meltwater (and mineral-laden silt) down from the Andean peaks provides Vineyard">Vineyard irrigation.
Vineyard altitude in Aconcagua varies from 1,000 meters (3300ft) above sea level in the east to 50m (160ft) in the lower-lying regions in the west.
The soils of the Aconcagua Valley towards the Andean peaks are predominately rocky, providing competition for root systems - a characteristic that is desirable for vigourous varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon. Stones on the surface of the soil prevent sunlight from evaporating moisture – a valued commodity in the hot Climate.
The altitude also creates a distinctive climatic characteristic: as the Warm, dry land of the region heats up during the afternoon, the hot air in the east rises rapidly upwards, sucking in cooler air from the Pacific Ocean to the west.
Pinot Gris is a grey grape variety mutated from Pinot Noir. It has its origins in Burgundy, where it is called pinot-beurot in reference to the colour of the grey robes worn by the monks of the region. Established in Alsace since the 17th century, pinot gris was called tokay until 2007. It is made up of bunches of small berries that vary in colour from pink to blue-grey. It is particularly well suited to the continental climate because it is resistant to the cold in winter and to spring frosts. This variety also likes dry limestone soils with plenty of sunshine in the summer. Pinot Gris is well suited to late harvesting or to the selection of noble grapes, depending on the year and the concentration of sugars in the berries. Pinot Gris wines are distinguished by their aromatic complexity of white fruits, mushrooms, honey, vanilla, cinnamon, etc., and their great finesse. In the Loire Valley, pinot gris is used in the Coteaux-d'Ancenis appellations. It gives dry or sweet wines with pear and peach aromas.
The dark days began when I learned from a visiting Canadian friend about the death of one of the kindest, most gentle and most skilful Pinot winemakers I’ve known, Paul Pender of Tawse Winery. He died in a senseless and tragic act of violence on the evening of 3 February, outside his Lake Erie cottage. A stranger, subsequently charged with his murder, had (it seems) knocked on his door, asking for help. Paul’s sudden, untimely loss has left his family, and the broader Canadian wine community, di ...
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Inside the Decanter magazine DWWA 2022 supplement: INTRODUCTION Welcome And how to read the results in the DWWA 2022 awards supplement A welcome return for our DWWA global judges Co-Chair Andrew Jefford reflects on a year back at full strength in the DWWA judging panels DWWA by numbers A handy graphic breakdown of where in the world the top DWWA medals went this year The judging process Discover how our judging panels conduct the tastings and decide the medal-winning wines Meet the experts Intro ...
