First U.S.“Chile Challenge” an Overall Win for The South American Country
Wines of Chile recently hosted the first ever U.S. “Chile Challenge” in conjunction with Sommelier Journal, at Lafayette restaurant in downtown Manhattan. Nearly 30 members of the wine industry—beverage directors, sommeliers and wine media—were in attendance to sample and score Chilean wines against competitive offerings from other regions in a double blind format. A full report of the tasting results will be released in the July 15 issue of Sommelier Journal.
“Chile showed exceptionally well, and I think we were able to reach all of the notes we wanted to hit,” said Jake Pippin, Marketing Coordinator for Wines of Chile USA. “We were part of a conversation which included some of the benchmark wines of the world and we stood toe to toe with the world’s best, particularly with Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.”
The tasting was divided by four varieties: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon. Prior to the blind tasting, a panel of well-known sommeliers and restaurant beverage directors converged to taste, score and discuss the five wines in each category. Panelists included Mollie Battenhouse, Business Development Manager at VOS Selections; Michael Madrigale, Head Sommelier at Boulud Sud; Scott Carney, Dean of Wine Studies at The International Culinary Center; Matthew Conway, General Manager and Sommelier of Restaurant Marc Forgione; Peter Mastrogiovanni, Wine Director at EMM Group; and Davis Anderson from VOS Selections.
Each varietal grouping was comprised of two Chilean wines and three wines from other countries, both old and new world. Sauvignon Blancs included Seresin 2010 (New Zealand), Cakebread Cellars 2011 (California), Casa Marin Cipreses Vineyard 2012 (Chile), Sancerre “Croix de Roy” Lucien Crochet 2010 (Sancerre) and Casas del Bosque Pequenas Producciones 2012 (Chile). Chardonnays included Paul Hobbs 2010 (California), Marques de Casa Concha 2010 (Chile), Puligny-Montrachet, Dom. Leflaive 2010 (Burgundy), Ch. Montelena Chardonnay, Napa 2009 (California) and Sol de Sol 2009 (Chile). Pinot Noirs Included Domaine Jacques Prieur Gevrey Chambertin Premier Cru 2010 (Burgundy), Flowers 2010 (California), Clos des Fous Latuffa 2010 (Chile), Domaine Serene Evanstad Reserve 2008 (Oregon) and Cono Sur Ocio 2009 (Chile). Cabernet Sauvignons included Betz Pere de Famille 2009 (Washington), Los Vascos Le Dix 2010 (Chile), Pichon-Longueville-Baron, (Pauillac) 2009 (Bordeaux), Casa Real 2009 (Chile) and Caymus “Special Selection” Cabernet Sauvignon, 2010 (California).
“Although our expert panelists tended to recognize and reward the French representatives in each group, I thought the Chilean wines held their own in this company,” said Sommelier Journal Editor David Vogels. “Chilean wines were near the top in the Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon categories. It was certainly an interesting exercise for us.”
Wines of Chile is an organization committed to promoting the quality and image of Chilean wine throughout the world. It has offices in Santiago, London, and New York, as well as representatives in Canada, Ireland, and Denmark. WOC also works closely with ProChile to develop and offer promotional and educational programs in Asia, Latin America and Europe. Wines of Chile’s 89 member wineries belong to Vinos de Chile and represent 85% of Chile’s bottled wine exports.
