Itata Valley is a wine region in the Southern end of Chile's Long, thin wine producing zone. This historical, cool-Climate region is dominated by Plantings of Carignan, Muscat of Alexandria and Pais (AKA Mission, aimed more at domestic consumption), although producers are beginning to plant more modern grape varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Itata's boundaries cover an area measuring roughly 100 kilometers (60 miles) from North to south and only a little less from east to west, although given the small quantity of land under Vine, the density of vineyards is low. The area is defined by the convergence of the Itata and Ñuble rivers, and vineyards are mostly found clustered around the towns of Chillán, Quillón and Coelemu.
The Pacific Ocean, with its cooling Humboldt current Lies to the west, and the more well-known Bío Bío Valley wine region is just south of the area. The major port city of Concepción is just 65km (40 miles) south-west of the bulk of Itata's vineyards.
The first vines are said to have arrived in the Itata Valley the 1550s, potentially making the region one of the first to be planted with vines in Chile. By the 20th Century, the region was associated with the production of bulk wine, which is evidenced by the large amounts of Pais and Muscat of Alexandria vines still planted here.
The region became unfashionable in the 1980s as Chilean producers started to put quality before quantity. It is only in the last ten years that interest in the Itata Valley has picked up as bodegas have begun to look carefully at the Terroir of the region and plant their vineyards accordingly. (© Proprietary Content, Wine-Searcher. )
The high-altitude Coastal Range, which brings moderated weather conditions to many vineyards further north, peters out as it reaches the port city of Concepcion, leaving Itata relatively exposed.
Cinsaut noir is a grape variety that originated in France (Provence). It produces a variety of grape specially used for wine making. It is rare to find this grape to eat on our tables. This variety of grape is characterized by large bunches and large grapes. Cinsaut noir can be found in several vineyards: South-West, Cognac, Bordeaux, Provence & Corsica, Rhône valley, Languedoc & Roussillon, Loire valley, Savoie & Bugey, Beaujolais, Armagnac.
wines from the region of Itata Valley go well with generally quite well with dishes of beef, lamb or game (deer, venison) such as recipes of quick and easy monkfish tail, mouse of lamb with honey and thyme or duck confit parmentier.
On the nose in the region of Itata Valley often reveals types of flavors of pear, earth or tree fruit and sometimes also flavors of non oak, oak or red fruit. In the mouth in the region of Itata Valley is a powerful.
The ‘Freedom Blend’blend uses a combination of indigenous grape varieties from Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova to symbolise and celebrate freedom in those countries. Purcari is located just 15 miles from the Ukrainian border. It has turned its luxury suites, tasting rooms and conferences rooms into emergency accommodation, housing more than 5,000 people that have fled war-torn Ukraine in the wake of the Russian invasion. The award-winning winery – which claimed best-in-show, platinum an ...
A ‘very promising’ vintage is expected, said the regional wine council (CIVB), as the Bordeaux 2022 harvest gets underway for reds. It’s still too early to judge fully and yields will be lower in some cases following heat, drought and also hailstorms during the growing season, yet the CIVB cited ‘attractive but small berries’ and healthy vineyard conditions during the crucial flowering period and for harvest. Europe has seen early starts to wine harvests in 2022 and the C ...
Six spirits trends to watch in 2022 Agave spirits Looking to premiumise your collection? Tequila has plenty of high-end brands to choose from: perfect for enthusiasts to explore. Gone are the days when tequila was seen as a shot drink or only used in Margaritas. Now, drinks makers are showing just how versatile agave spirits can be in a range of cocktails. Agave expert Deano Moncrieffe of Hacha bar in east London has just opened a new specialist bar in south London, bringing tequila to the masse ...
