Hello All! We welcome you to come and travel with us this month to Argentina! Each month we travel to a different region to bring you different styles and tastes of wine. When you come to visit us, get your passport book, and after enjoying your flight get your passport stamped with each region.

Take a look below to see what Argentinian wines we are featuring for you!

For our White Flight we are featuring the following wines…

2022 Mil Piedras Viognier

Found in Argentina’s Valle de Uco, Benvenuto de la Serna’s single-estate vineyard is settled 1,100 meters into the foothills of the Andes Mountains. Their viognier is sourced from vines that sit 3500 feet above sea level with alluvial soil. This soil type allows the roots of the vines to reach incredibly deep into the ground and it still allows for great drainage. This Viognier is tank fermented, giving the wine it’s crispness, and the desert sun helps the grapes develop rich and flavorful fruit.

This Viognier offers beautiful fruit such as honeysuckle, ripe apricots, and sugar-coated orange peels. The palate is crisp with a clean, refreshing finish.

This wine would pair nicely with Indian food, such as chicken tikka masala.

Santa Julia “La Oveja” Torrontes

Jose Albrerto Zuccardi started Santa Julia Winery in 1990 as a tribute to his only daughter, Julia. The winery is family ran, and sustainability is what they take pride in. Santa Julia has maintained being the #1 organic wine grower in Argentina. They created “La Oveja” as a natural wine, meaning there is minimal intervention from man. They do not add any sulfites, and only use a natural yeast. Then they bottle the wine unfiltered. “La Oveja” is a white wine from 100% Torrontes varietal. The aromas are muscat, rose petals, peach, jasmine. It has a refreshing palate with bold acidity and a long citrusy finish.

Santa Julia “El Zorrito” Orange Chardonnay

“El Zorrito” is 100% Chardonnay. Just like “La Oveja”, “El Zorrito” is an all natural wine. The chardonnay grapes were hand picked during harvest, and also don’t have any added sulfites. During fermentation the grapes sat with the skins for 45 days, creating the beautiful orange color.

Santa Julia “La Mantis” Sparkling

We are proud to be able to learn about and educate on Santa Julia and their wines. Santa Julia is taking responsibility to give back to their community and is continuing to help create the highest level of quality through sustainable practices.

“La Mantis” sparkling is made from 100% Chardonnay. This wine ferments in tanks until a certain amount of sugar is obtained. After, it is bottled where it continues to naturally ferment in the bottle. This wine is unfiltered. The nose offers tropical white fruits and orange peel. The palate offers beautiful and refreshing acidity with a long balanced finish.

For our Red Wines we are featuring…..

Santa Julia Malbec

Santa Julia created “El Burro” Malbec as a reflection of their attempt at sustainable wines to preserve natural resources for their future generations. These wines were completely sourced from their Estate Finca Maipu. Finca Maipu has been certified organic since 2001.

We chose to add Santa Julia’s “El Burro” Malbec to our flight to educate our guests on Organic and Sustainable wines. Organic agriculture takes on more of an understanding of their climate and how to properly adapt rather than using chemicals to their soils. This wine is also a natural wine, meaning that they plant their grapes and let them grow without human intervention. They also refrain from adding sulfites. They use only native ingredients.

“El Burro” Malbec shows off with it’s deep violet color, complimented by cherries and plum on the nose.  This malbec has beautiful structure and a Jamy finish.

Zuccardi Malbec

The construction of Zuccardi Winery began in 2013 and was inaugurated in 2016 in Valle de Uco Mendoza. Zuccardi’s winery was designed to reflect the land around them. They built their winery with stones found from the land, and then filled in with cement. This shows off what they love about the climate and region. Zuccardi was also just awarded the #1 New World Winery in the world. The Malbec we are choosing to feature this month is from Zuccardi’s “Series A” collection. Zuccardi started the Series A collection, meaning Series Argentina, to really showcase what the region is all about. Because of how their vineyard is structured it makes it easier for them to hand pick each varietal at the perfect time, and making it easy to capture the varietally correctness of each wine. This malbec is hand picked during harvest. Because of the climates balance of cool and humidity, the grapes developed a perfect balance of sugar and acidity. This malbec gives notes of plum and white pepper.

Piatelli Vineyards

Piatelli Vineyards is located in Cafayate Valley, Salta. Cafayate is about 13 hours north of Mendoza, and is known more for their low humidity and mild weather. Piatelli’s grapes are grown at over 5890 feet elevation. They designed their beautiful labels to capture their many geological layers and their regionally distinct winemaking. We decided to bring in the Reserve Malbec and Tannat to help show the distinction between Mendoza and Cafayate Valley. The Reserve Malbec and Tannat blend offers a full body, with a bursting fruity bouquet. The color of this wine is a fierce scarlet. The nose shows red fruit and spice that mix with eucalyptus and notes of fig. The palate shows ripe and firm tannins, with balanced structure and acidity.

Bouza Tannat

Bouza Winery was born as a family dream to share their love of the countryside and it’s fruits. They are located in Montevideo, Uruguay. About a 7 hour flight from Mendoza. Bouza built their business on a solid foundation of the importance of family unity. They work hand in hand as a family to capture their personality and to reflect them in their wines. Bouza has five vineyards, and they only make their wines from their own vineyards to ensure quality. They take pride in taking the most special care of their vineyards through the entire process, and choose the plots that showcase their desired results. They then store all of their wines in a temperature controlled cellar.

Tannat is the most prominent grape in Uruguay and is considered their national grape. The tannat grape grown in Uruguay offers a softer and more elegant style. In Uruguay, these grapes tend to be lighter and lower in tannins compared to other regions. Decanter Magazine named Bouza’s tannat as a “Worldclass example of Tannat”. This wine is going to offer violet, sweet spices, cassis, and plum.

We hope you enjoy your experience tasting through our Argentina wine flight as much as we enjoyed selecting these wines for you!

Hello All! We welcome you to come travel with us this month to Mexico! Each month we travel to a different region to bring you different styles and tastes of wine. When you come to visit us, get your passport book, and after enjoying your flight get your passport stamped with each region.

Take a look below to see what Mexican red wines we are featuring for you!

Mejico Red Blend, Baja California – Mejico was produced by Cava Maciel. Cava Maciel was started by Jorge Eduardo Maciel, when he discovered his passion for wine after a trip to Italy. He then decided to start his wine journey by creating his own wines in his parent’s garage. Paoloni Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot Blend – Paoloni is a family owned boutique winery. They are located on the northern side of the valley. His winery is located on granite soil, which brings more minerality into the wines.

Paolo started his winery in 1988, and he lives on site where he takes pride in maintaining his vineyards. Paolo ferments this Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blend in stainless steel tanks for 3 weeks, and then transfers the into French Oak Vats and ages them for 18 months. Paolo also practices sustainable farming. This wine is a great addition to our Mexico flight because it shows varietal correctness.

Casa Madero “3V” – Casa Madero is located in Valle de Parras, a wine region in the mountains of Sierra Madre Oriental. Mexico is North America’s oldest wine producing country, producing grapes since 1521. Casa Madero was established in 1597 as Hacienda San Lorenzo, when the governor gave them an envelope sealed with permission to plant vines from King Felipe II of Spain. The estate switched ownership 13 times, but was purchased and renovated by Don Madero in 1893. Madero accomplished wonderful things in the time he owned the estate, such as founding a girl’s home.

When the Mexican Revolution began in 1910, the estate was owned by Don Madero’s grandson, Fransico Madero. He later became president of Mexico! In 1991, the Shiraz grape was planted in Casa Madero’s Estate. In 1997, Casa Madero celebrated their 400 years! They began implementing new technologies and by 1999 Casa Madero’s wines were presented in 27 countries. The 3V was first launched in 2007, exclusively for first class by Mexicana de Aviacion. In 2010 they were awarded an ISO Certification, as the first winery to have quality processes with national certifications. As you can see, Casa Madero has quite the history behind them.

In 2016, they renewed their label. That label is the one you see on the 2021 3V. The label is textured in honor of the walls of Hacienda San Lorenzo. The writing is the manuscripts extracted from the book of Las Mercedes. We thought Casa Madero’s 3V would be a special addition to our Mexico wine flight with all of their history and the quality of their wine.

L.A. Cetto Petite Sirah – L.A. Cetto is located in Valle de Guadalupe. L.A. Cetto is currently one of the largest wine producers in Baja California. Angelo Cetto came from Italy in 1928 as an immigrant to pursue his wine knowledge and dream to begin his own winery in Baja California. The terroir was tough for Angelo at first, so he started by releasing sherry and port. Angelo was blessed with America declaring the prohibition, so Americans would cross the border to Valle de Guadalupe, where they were allowed to drink. This helped Angelo as he had just begun to make wine, he had a market coming right to him. In the coming years, it was easy for Angelo to increase his production and quality of wine.

Sierra Blanca by LA Cetto – This is an 100% Sauvignon Blanc. Sauvignon Blanc originated in Loire Valley, France. This Sauvignon Blanc was harvested from Las Bellotas, Guadelupe Valley. It is aged in French Oak barrels for 75 days with lees. The palate of this sauvignon blanc is unctuous and offers great acidity. There are notes of herbaceousness and citrus. This wine pairs well with goat cheese, ceviche’s, and pasta with seafoods.

Paoloni Chardonnay – Paoloni uses fresh water from the surrounding mountains to water their vineyards. Paoloni sources all of his grapes from his own estate, which is south facing on the side of a mountain. Paoloni is located just 8 miles from the Pacific Ocean. Paoloni uses his name for exporting his wines, but his Estate is called “Villa Montefiori”. In 1998, he began to plant Sangiovese, Montepulciano, Nebbiolo, Brunello, aglianico, and chardonnay that was brought over from Italy and France. This chardonnay was fermented in stainless steel, with natural yeast on lees. It aged 6 months in stainless steel.

Casa Madero Chardonnay – Casa Madero owns and operates the oldest vineyards and winery in the entire American Continent. 73 years after Hernan Cortez conquered the Aztecs, Don Lorenzo Garcia explored the north of Mexico, and in the midst of a desert, came across a veritable oasis with water springs and abundance of native vines, from whose grapes the first American wine was ever produced. The place was called “Santa Maria de las Parras”, or Holy Mary of the vines, as Parras is Spanish for vines.

On the 19th of August 1597, Don Lorenzo García took formal possession of a land grant issued to him by Philip II King of Spain, with the express purpose of establishing a vineyard to produce wine and brandy, thus asserting his claim and peaceful use of the land he had settled earlier, thus giving formal birth to the Hacienda de San Lorenzo, which today is Casa Madero. This beautiful Chardonnay has light straw yellow with golden flashes. Fruity character that evokes guava, mango, star fruit, peach, apple, pineapple and pear, as well as white flowers, chamomile and hints of honey. Intense, fruity and floral on the palate. Refreshing and with good persistence on the finish.

LA Cetto Chardonnay – In 1928, Don Angelo Cetto initiated the most important wine tradition in the country. With great faith, and confidence in the soil of Baja California, he gave himself the task of starting his own wine revolution in the region. In 1963 Cetto’s Wine, under the leadership of Don Luis Augustin Cetto spearheaded a rapid modernization and vast transformation of oenology. Being the wine pioneer in the Valle de Guadalupe, Cetto concentrated on the introduction of a variety of fine grapes and in exploring the diverse terrains and climates of the region. He crowned his wine-making process by founding L.A Cetto Winery in 1975. His great purpose to give Mexico the best Baja California has to offer.

Currently, Luis Alberto is the third generation of this wine crafting tradition. He is completely dedicated to the tradition that his grandfather started. He shares the vision of Don Luis and in a short time has expanded to 27 international markets such as, France, Spain, Germany, United States, Canada to name a few. LA Cetto’s wines have received more than 150 awards from some of the most prestigious wine competitions in the world. Three generations with a tradition of wine crafting excellence. Pale yellow with greenish hues, excellent brilliance with aromas of citrus and tropical fruits, including orange and mango. On the palate it is slightly mellowing, persistent and balanced with fruity notes.

Decanter will take you wine tasting around the world without ever having to leave Sedona. Decanter, situated in the Village of Oak Creek Collective, has quickly become a favorite among both visitors and locals alike; perhaps because no other tasting room in the Verde Valley showcases a new wine region to explore every month. Having recently opened in August of 2019, Decanter has already exhibited wine flights from locations like South Africa and Uruguay. This regional wine tasting approach is the vision of owner and wine enthusiast Ken Ewing, who looks forward to exploring a different New World wine region with his customers every month of the year.

Ken, an avid wine and travel lover, sees his regional tasting method as a way for his customers to “travel locally” and explore the world of wine quite literally. The exploration of New World and unusual wine regions keeps the experience at Decanter fresh. Ken has expressed a desire to bring awareness to wines that perhaps his customers haven’t tried before; he doesn’t want to serve the “same old wines you have already tried”. Ken’s experience working with Kendall-Jackson made him see that the new world wine market has the ability for exponential growth and he himself has an everlasting passion for wine.

Of course there is always room for growth. Ken is looking forward to expanding Decanter by adding a beautiful patio area and growing their food menu in the upcoming months. Decanter has a special place in Ken’s heart because he sees it as a legacy to grow and leave to his son. When asked how much he wanted to grow and expand in the future, Trevor Ewing, Ken’s son, laughingly said “the Starbucks of wine”. Though he was joking we can all agree that no one would be sorry to see a Decanter on every block!

Perhaps the warm comfortable atmosphere of Decanter can be attributed to the friendly work environment that Ken fosters, saying “I don’t want my employees to work for me, but with me.” Perhaps it’s due to the enjoyment of so many new wines in a fun and not “stuffy” atmosphere. Perhaps the unique atmosphere of Decanter can be attributed to the fact that you can feel Ken and his staff’s passion for the exploration of wine and its many lesser-known regions. After all, where else than Decanter can you taste around the world without ever having to leave Sedona!

Hello All! We welcome you to come travel with us this month to Chile! Each month we travel to a different region to bring you different styles and tastes of wine. When you come to visit us, get your passport book, and after enjoying your flight get your passport stamped with each region.

Take a look below to see what Chilean wines we are featuring for you!

For our White Flight we are featuring the following wines…

Los Vascos 2018 Sauvignon Blanc
Los Vascos wines blend Lafite tradition with the unique terroir of Chile to create elegant wines that bring exceptional to the everyday. The region is Casablanca Valley, Chile-Produced by Domaines Barons de Rosthchild (Lafite). The Grapes are 100% Sauvignon Blanc, cool climate grown. This wine is fresh and juicy with an abundance of white peaches, pineapple, lychees, and pears with herb tints. The palate is fresh and develops with a balanced, persistent acidity. This wine is to be enjoyed on its own, or with salads, white meats and seafood dishes.

Casas Del Bosque 2021 Sauvignon Blanc
This single vineyard Sauvignon Blanc is grown on sandy loam soils, directly around their family cellar in Casablanca. Covered by morning fog and cooled by Pacific Ocean breezes, this is one of the coolest sites for this grape in their valley and worldwide. A sustainable approach to winemaking allows us to craft a bright, crisp wine with wonderful minerality and length. Enjoy this full body, acidic, flavorful finish wine on its own or with any seafood dish.

Calcu Gran Reserva Rosé Malbec 2020
Calcu means “magician” in the indigenous Chilean language-Mapuche. Calcu Gran Reserva is the result of an exceptional terroir. Located in Marchigue-Colchagua Valley, just 29 kilometers from the Pacific Ocean, its vineyards have granitic soils with a high clay content and low fertility. These conditions deliver a fantastic natural concentration, structure and elegance to its wines. Very pale and elegant pink in color, on the nose it is a very expressive Rose with notes of tropical fruits, such as mango and fresh strawberries on a delicate floral background. On the palate you’ll enjoy fresh and juicy wine, with a great balance between power and elegance, with a crisp, clean and dry finish. The grapes are 90% Malbec and 10% Petit Verdot. This you will enjoy on its own and with meaty, oily fish dishes.

Estelado Brut~Rosé 2018
The PAÍS grape varietal was the first to arrive in Chile in the 16th century. Grown by a large number of small farmers, this varietal “PAÍS” has long been forgotten and undervalued until it was recently rediscovered for making top quality wines. Each bottle of sparkling “PAIS” consumed helps to create demand and, as a result, better conditions for the wine~growers of Chile! This beautiful sparkling wine gives you a light taste of berries and cream. Enjoy a glass on its own, with meaty, oily fish, or a light berry dessert.

For our Red Flight we are featuring the following wines…

Montes Alpha Carmenére 2018
Montes Alpha wines have been crafted using grapes selected from their vineyards in the Colchagua Valley, which are irrigated under their Sustainable Dry Farming regime. Developed by Aurelio Montes and his team after of research and investigation, this viticultural practice now allows them to determine the exact level of irrigation required by vines after the winter rains, resulting in a 65% decrease in their water footprint and in wines with enhanced fruitiness and aromatic expression. Intense purplish red with potent fruit aromas marked by red and black fruits such as blueberries, plums, and tart plums complemented by notes of fresh black and red pepper, candied fruits, and spices. 12 months in French Oak barrels lend complexity and toasted aromas that pair very well with the fruity characteristics of the Carmenére. This intense and fruity palate has a lactic note as well as excellent soft, round tannins that pair perfectly with ripe black fruits, mocha, and chocolate. A bold, long pleasing, velvety finish that you will enjoy with beef or venison.

Maquis Cabernet Franc 2018
This wine is made from Cabernet Franc grapes grown between the Chimbarongo Creek and the Tinguiririca River on the Maquis Estate in central Colchagua Valley. The two-meter-deep alluvial soil with 35% clay content is ideal for producing Cabernet Franc grapes that are full and rich yet display balance and elegance. This is a big, bold and structured wine, that pairs beef and venison.

Casas Del Bosque Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Casas Del Bosque is a family-owned boutique winery in Rapel Valley, whose renowned quality of wines, especially for their excellent Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine is a classic example of this varietal, one which has received numerous accolades both in Chile and abroad. Made from fruit sourced from vineyards in the Maipo Valley, a terroir which consistently delivers an elegant and balanced style of Cabernet Sauvignon, which is bold and structured, pairing well with beef and venison.

Penalolen Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Maipo Valley is one of Chile’s most important wine producing regions located just south of the capital, Santiago, on the edge of the foothills of the Andes, With this wine you will enjoy candied black currants, raspberries, plums and blackberries with elegant notes if sweet chocolate, mocha and coffee. Aromas of dried herbs, flowers and a mineral touch enhance the complexity. In the mouth, a structure of velvety tannins is balanced by a voluptuous texture, with a long bright finish of fruit, spicy chocolate and tobacco. This also pairs well with beef and venison, as well as alone.

Chilean Wine History
Chilean wine has a long history for a New World wine region, as it was the 16th century when the Spanish conquistadors brought Vitis vinifera vines with them as they colonized the region. In the mid-19th century, French wine varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carmenère and Franc were introduced. In the early 1980s, a renaissance began with the introduction of stainless steel fermentation tanks and the use of oak barrels for aging. Wine exports grew very quickly as quality wine production increased. The number of wineries grew from 12 in 1995 to over 70 in 2005.

A large number of French people immigrated to Chile during the late 20th century, bringing more viticultural knowledge to the country. Chile is now the fifth largest exporter of wines in the world, and the seventh largest producer.The climate has been described as midway between that of California and France. The most common grapes are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Carmenère. So far Chile has remained free of the phylloxera louse, which means that the country’s grapevines do not need to be grafted with phylloxera-resistant rootstocks.

Since December 1994, the Chilean wine-producing regions have been officially defined as follows, to help identify the different features of wines produced in different parts of Chile’s variable geography. The Chilean ministry of agriculture redefined in a decree of May 2018 the zonal winegrowing structure.

Atacama Region
Named after the Atacama Region administrative territory, this region is divided into two valleys, Copiapó and Huasco, both of which are coterminous with the provinces of the same names. The region is known primarily for its Pisco[8] and table grapes, but in the 1950s wine began to be produced on a small scale around Copiapó. Examples of wine from these valleys include “Vino Copiapino” (literally, “Copiapó’s Wine”) by Viña Fajardo and Pajarete wine, a varietal from Spain that is now produced successfully in the Huasco Valley.

Coquimbo Region
The Coquimbo Region contains three wine-producing sub regions: Elqui, Limarí and Choapa, all are coterminous with the provinces of the same name.

The Elqui Valley is located 530 km (330 mi) north of Santiago, at the southern end of the Atacama Desert in the Coquimbo Region. It is known for producing table grapes and other fruits, as well as Pisco, Chile’s most popular liquor. But it is also notable for being the most commercially viable wine-producing region of northern Chile.

The region’s vineyards extend from the Pacific Ocean in the west to the Andes Mountains in the east, rising to an altitude of 2,000 m.a.s.l. (6,500 feet). Wine production began in the Elqui Valley in the 1990s when Chilean wine producers began to look at potential viticulture sites outside the Chilean Central Valley. Since then, 286 hectares (710 acres) of vines have been planted, mostly along the River Elqui valley, where grape growers have access to high-quality water for irrigation. The region is characterized by a sunny, desert-like climate, less than 70 mm (2.8 in) of annual rainfall, dry rocky terrain, steep valleys and temperate hills cooled by strong winds from the Pacific Ocean and the Andes Mountains, producing excellent results for varietals like Syrah.

The Limarí Valley is located roughly 470 km (290 mi) north of Santiago, in the Coquimbo region.Vines were first planted here in the mid-16th century and have seen a recent resurgence, due to new technologies and winemakers seeking new terroirs. The area is best known for producing Sauvignon and Chardonnay, first planted during the 1990s, and also successfully produces Syrah and Pinot noir, with a climate similar to Marlborough in New Zealand. The Pacific Ocean has a strong influence on the coast of the region with the cooling Camanchaca, a fog that enters the valley from the west each morning and retreats as the sun rises over the Andes from the east. With less than 4 inches of rainfall per year, drip irrigation is used to water the vines that grow in the mineral-rich soil. The combination creates fresh wines with a distinct mineral edge.

The Choapa Valley lies around 400 km (250 mi) north of Santiago, in the southern part of the Coquimbo Region. Like the Atacama, this region is primarily known for Pisco and table grapes. It lies within the narrowest part of Chile, where the Andes meet the Coastal Range and consists of two sectors, Illapel and Salamanca. There are no wineries in either of these sectors, but vines planted on the rocky, foothill soils produce small quantities of high quality Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes with high acidity and low pH, which is increasing wine producers’ interest in the area. Only one brand of wine, De Martino Syrah, currently holds the DO of “Choapa Valley”.

Aconcagua Region
Main article: Aconcagua (wine region)The administrative region of Valparaíso contains two wine-producing subregions, the Aconcagua and Casablanca valleys. The Aconcagua Valley is coterminous with the province of San Felipe de Aconcagua Province while the Casablanca Valley is coterminous with the commune of that name. The Panquehue commune is also gradually developing a reputation for high quality wine production.

In the Aconcagua Valley, snow melt from Aconcagua and the surrounding mountains is used to irrigate the vines.

The small 1,098 hectare winegrowing area is well known for its red wines, which have earned international acclaim, with Vina Errázuriz’s “Seña” placing ahead of both Château Lafite and Château Margaux in blind tasting held in Berlin in 2004, a milestone for the Chilean wine industry. Although the valley is primarily known for the red grapes grown in its interior, white grapes are also now being grown in new coastal plantations.

The Casablanca Valley takes its name from the commune where it is located, and stretches roughly 30 km (19 mi) east-west from eastern border of the Valparaíso province in the Valparaíso region.Vines were first planted here in the mid-1980s during the revitalization of the Chilean wine industry and the area quickly became known for its white wines, most notably Sauvignon blanc and Chardonnay, as well as Pinot noir, which thrives in its cooler climate. Although the valley is located at 33°S, much closer to the Equator than any European vineyard, viticulture here is possible because of the cooling influence of the Pacific Ocean, in the shape of cool morning fog and greater cloud cover than is found elsewhere in the north of Chile. Free-draining clay and sandy soils, whilst good for viticulture, encourage nematodes, so grafting onto nematode-resistant rootstocks is common.

San Antonio Valley is a small wine region known for producing Pinot noir, Sauvignon blanc and Chardonnay.

It is located very close to the sea around the city of San Antonio, Chile, south of the Casablanca Valley and only 55 miles (89 km) west of Santiago. As in other Chilean wine regions, like the Casablanca Valley, San Antonio is highly influenced by the cooling effect of the Pacific Ocean which makes wine production possible in this area. Soils are in the valley are granitic, poor and well drained with a topsoil of clay, providing a good substrate for vines. Rains are concentrated mainly in the winter season and the vineyards require drip irrigation for the rest of the year, using water from the Maipo river. The San Antonio Valley is seen as an up-and-coming wine region and the wine industry is expected to continue growing in the future.

Over twenty grape varieties are grown in Chile, mainly a mixture of Spanish and French varieties, but many wineries are increasing experimentation in higher numbers. For most of Chile’s history, Pais was the most widely planted grape only recently getting passed by Cabernet Sauvignon. Other red wine varieties include Merlot, Carménère, Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Cabernet franc, Pinot noir, Syrah, Sangiovese, Barbera, Malbec, and Carignan. White wine varieties include Chardonnay, Sauvignon blanc, Sauvignon vert, Sémillon, Riesling, Viognier, Torontel, Pedro Ximénez, Gewürztraminer and Muscat of Alexandria.

Chilean winemakers have been developing a distinct style for their Cabernet Sauvignon, producing an easy drinking wine with soft tannins and flavors of mint, black currant, olives and smoke. The country’s Chardonnays are less distinctive, following more the stereotypical New World style. While sparkling wines have been made since 1879, they have not yet established a significant place in Chile’s wine portfolio. In recent years, the Pais grape variety has been creatively employed on its own or in blends, to make modern wines that have received favorable reviews.

Merlot and Sauvignon blanc
In the late 20th century as Chilean wines became more popular, wine tasters around the world began to doubt the authenticity of wines labeled Merlot and Sauvignon blanc. The wines lack many of the characteristics and typicity of those grapes. Ampelographers began to study the vines and found that what was considered Merlot was actually the ancient Bordeaux wine grape Carménère that was thought to be extinct. The Sauvignon blanc vines were found to actually be Sauvignonasse, also known as Sauvignon vert, or a mutated Sauvignon blanc/Sémillon cross. In response to these discoveries several Chilean wineries began to import true Merlot and Sauvignon blanc cuttings to where most bottles labeled Merlot and Sauvignon blanc from vintages in the 21st century are more likely to be those varieties.

Hello All! We welcome you to come travel with us this month to South Africa! Each month we travel to a different region to bring you different styles and tastes of wine. When you come to visit us, get your passport book, and after enjoying your flight get your passport stamped with each region. Take a look below to learn which South African wines we are featuring for you!
For our White Flight we are featuring the following wines….

Fleur Du Cap, Chenin Blanc, 2021
This wine is brilliantly clear. The nose is fresh with intense aromas of citrus, apples and a stone fruit with a touch of oak spice, carried through to the palate. The time spend on the lees adds to the creaminess and roundness of the wine. It has a lingering crispy finish.
This wine works wonders with seafood such as shellfish, crayfish, oysters and mussels. It is a good choice with Thai and light chicken dishes as well as a mild bobotie. Serve chilled, but not ice cold.

The Western Cape’s diverse palette of wine growing regions allow Fleur Du Cap the perfect canvas to make wines that express the essence of a varietal. A masterful selection of fruit combined with the creativity of our winemakers, result in wines that express our vision, “freedom of expression.”

Excelsior, Sauvignon Blanc, 2021
An enticing bouquet of passion fruit, lime and ripe fig leads to complex flavors of citrus, herbs and gooseberry on the palate. A bracing acidity and long fruity finish balance out this invigorating, vibrant Sauvignon Blanc.Simply try on its own, or with fresh fish, oysters, or Asian style chicken.
The De Wets of Excelsior have a proud winemaking tradition dating back to 1967. The calcareous soils of the Robertson area were once used to raise champion thoroughbred horses, but now these soils are used to produce fine wines.

Mulderbosch, Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé, 2021
With its burnished copper hues it radiates charm, and the promise of a deliciously refreshing drop of wine. Fresh strawberries and a subtle chalky note define the nose. The palate is framed by beautifully balanced, succulent fruit flavours and a fine, mineral finish. palate has an effortless poise about it. Sweet-fruited Cabernet Sauvignon flavours and early-picked natural acidity make for an intense palate that refreshes with each sip.
Mulderbosch is widely considered one of South Africa’s iconic wineries and has established a reputation for excellence since 1989. They are tireless in their pursuit of making wines of the highest quality to honor their proud heritage and to be enjoyed by all!

Graham Beck Brut, NV, Methode Cap Classique
Affectionately dubbed the “President’s Choice”, the Brut NV was served at Nelson Mandela’s inauguration ceremony.
NV — Non-Vintage. Meaning the bottle of sparkling wine is a blend of juice from more than one vintage year.
This delightful sparkling wine exudes light yeasty aromas, limey fresh fruit on the nose, and rich creamy complexity on the palate. This Brut NV is intended to cleanse the palate, stimulate the taste buds and entice you to progress to the ‘next level’ in your tasting journey as you savour the nuances and complexities of the other bubblies in our portfolio. When introduced to the Brut NV your love affair with Graham Beck begins – this versatile and engaging bubbly will soon become an absolute staple in your repertoire. Always ensure you have a bottle or several stashed in the refrigerator!Perfect with seafood or light meats.

You’ll be in good company indeed when savouring this iconic Graham Beck bubbly.In the pursuit of the perfect bubble, their passion and pride shine through in every meticulous step to craft Méthode Cap Classique sparkling wines which define elegance and complexity. The Brut NV strikes the perfect balance between creamy nuances and fresh finesse which is a firm favorite of international icons and everyday wine lovers alike.
For our Red Flight we are featuring the following wines….

The Pepper Pot, David Finlayson, 2019
Made from grown grapes in the Stellenbosch and Paarl regions, this wine is created to show the fresh, fruity and spice driven flavors of these Rhone varietals. The color is youthful and purple/red. The nose is one of crushed black pepper, dark mulberry and mixed berry coulis. Made from grapes grown in the Stellenbosch and Paarl regions from multiple vineyards, ranging from close to the Indian Ocean to the mountains of Paarl. Pure, clean dark red berry flavours flow onto a smooth palate with sufficient structure to warrant enjoyment with food such as Gourmet Pizza with Carpaccio and rocket salad.

Braai Pinotage, 2020
The earliest archaeological evidence of barbecue (Braai) is found in South Africa. On September 24th of each year the country celebrates Heritage Day, which in 2007 was renamed Braai4Heritage as a testament to its cultural importance in South Africa. The essence of braai is captured in this Pinotage, South Africa’s only native grape that is a hybrid between Pinot Noir and Cinsault, a perfect pairing for meat cooked over a wood flame. Brimming with juicy dark fruit and a bright, balanced acidity.Braai is a noun, a verb, a way of life. Unlike barbecues, which are mainly reserved for the warmer months in many parts of the world, South Africans braai all year round in any type of weather!“Braai” can refer to the grill, the meal, the act of cooking said meal or an event in which everyone gathers around the fire. A proper braai only uses wood as the fuel source, which allows the smoke to envelope meat, fish and veggies alike. Braaing takes time, providing the opportunity for everyone to gather around the fire and enjoy each other’s company as the food slowly cooks to perfection (alongside some great wine of course!).They are passionate about braaiing, which prompted our mission to not only share the concept here at home in the US, but also to craft a wine that captures its essence. We wanted the perfect wines to pour at our own braais!

This South African grape pairs wonderfully with BBQ and meats like lamb, game and pork chops. It is also a surprisingly good pairing with curry.
Cabernet Sauvignon, David Finlayson, 2019
Produced from four outstanding clones of Cabernet Sauvignon planted on different sites in the Stellenbosch area. Made to exude absolute purity of varietal character and as such display true Cabernet Sauvignon cassis and black current flavors. The wine has a fresh, minty herbaceousness backed by mocha/vanilla oak. Firm structured tannins and a long finish on the palate show good ageing potential.
Intense aromas of ripe plums and blackberries with hints of pinewood and wet soil. Medium-bodied with juicy fruit, soft tannins and a savory finish.
David Finlayson’s robust Cabernet Sauvignon provides the ideal companion to many dishes, including Ossobuco, Braised Venison served with caramelized onions, and dry aged beef, preferably in the form of a Rib-Eye, Porterhouse, or Tomahawk steak, topped with Portabella mushrooms and a rich, herb-infused sauce. Ground Turkey and Lentil Chili makes a delicious accompaniment, too, as do fine ripe cheeses such as Comté and Gouda. Bon Appétit!

Glenelly Cabernet Sauvignon, 2019
It develops a very complex nose with flavours of cassis, blackcurrant, cherry, a touch of spices and perfume. The wine has a good tannin structure, perfect balance and length, with flavours of cedar, dried cherry and blackcurrant on the palette.
Inspired by antique glasses from May de Lencquesaing’s private collection, Glenelly’s Glass Collection celebrates the parallels between the art of making wine and the art of making glass. Both glass and fine wine come from poor soil, and just as the glassblower breathes life into glass, the winemaker’s love gives life to wine.

Pair this beautiful Cabernet Sauvignon with burgers and ribs from the grill, tourtiere, slow-braised beef blade roast.
South Africa is one of the most prominent wine-producing countries in the Southern Hemisphere. Since the end of apartheid, the South African wine industry has enjoyed international attention and acclaim for its wide variety of wine styles and grape varieties.
South African wine has a history dating back to 1659 with the first bottle being produced in Cape Town by its founder and gouverner Jan van Riebeeck. Access to international markets led to new investment in the South African wine market.

The South African wine regions are principally the Coastal Region, Klein Karoo, Cape South Coast, Olifants River, Breede River Valley, and several further wards not part of a region. The main hub concentrating in the Stellenbosch and Paarl districts. All wine country is beautiful, but South Africa’s surely has to be the most dramatic; with the striking views of Table Mountain, luscious green pastures contrasting with brilliant white façades of colonial Dutch architecture.

The wine lover is completely spoilt for choice here, with so many exceptional wineries of varying styles in a relatively small area – the Western Cape. Stunning boutique hotels, fine dining and modern gastronomic experiences, spectacular scenery, legendary wineries, and modern cellars. Visiting South Africa’s wine country is an unforgettable experience.

With more than 300 years of history, South African winemaking is often described as bridging the gap between the Old World and New. The majority of wines are made using New World winemaking techniques but often have more in common stylistically with their Old World counterparts.
Vineyards are found distributed around the lush, rugged landscape of the Western Cape. Here, the abundance of mountains, valleys and plateaus allow winemakers to produce a diverse range of styles. Wineries are also found in the Northern Cape’s Orange River region, where the flat, barren landscape is dominated by the Kalahari Desert.

ClimateMost of South Africa’s wine-producing regions have a Mediterranean climate, significantly influenced by the meeting of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Vineyards are rarely found more than 50 kilometers (31 miles) from the coastline.

This proximity allows for cooling sea breezes to penetrate into the vineyards of which is particularly beneficial throughout the summer months. It also moderates the temperature so that spring-time frosts are uncommon at the crucial time of flowering and budburst.

Said moisture-laden breezes are funnelled through the Cape mountain range with the undulating landscape creating multiple mesoclimates for viticulture. This is also true with seasonal fog in March and August but it is ‘The Cape Doctor’ southwesterly wind that is most influential. It vehemently blows during spring and summer to inhibit the development of various mildew diseases in the vineyard.

Grape varietiesThe country’s signature variety is Pinotage, an indigenous crossing of Pinot Noir and Cinsaut that is rarely found in quantity in any other wine-producing country. Shiraz is widely planted also, as are Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot (often found together in a Bordeaux Blend).
However, it is white grape varieties that account for 55 percent of the country’s 93,000 hectares (230,000 acres) of vineyards. Chenin Blanc is the republic’s most planted grape with 18.5 percent of all plantings. While it has not retained its earlier dominance within vineyards as a source of brandy and fortified wines, it retains its number one position having largely transitioned into a role providing crisp dry white wines.

However, the finest white wines are produced from Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, both of which have become popular on an international level in recent years. The Cape style of Chardonnay is an perfect exemplar of the crossover between New and Old World styles of wine whilst South African Sauvignon Blanc is widely unoaked with top examples displaying honeysuckle, green melon and minerality.

The Wine of Origin system, a legal structure introduced in 1972 to acknowledge and protect the diversity of terroir in the country, classifies South Africa into the regions, districts and wards where vineyards are found.

History of South African winemakingVines were first planted in South Africa by Dutch settlers in the 1650s, although wine production did not really begin to take off until French Huguenots arrived with viticultural skills and knowledge in the 1680s. South Africa’s oldest wine estate is located in Constantia, where the production of the legendary dessert wine Vin de Constance gave the region worldwide fame in the 18th and 19th centuries. Stellenbosch is equally historic as a wine-producing region, the first vineyards having been planted in the 1690s.

The South African wine industry suffered numerous setbacks during the 19th and 20th centuries. A devastating outbreak of phylloxera in the 1860s severely reduced the vineyard area. The subsequent replanting – often using high-yielding grape varieties such as Cinsaut – led to large-scale overproduction.

This in turn prompted the South African government to fund the Kooperatieve Wijnbouwers Vereniging van Zuid-Afrika (the South African Co-Operative Wine Growers Association, better known as KWV). Throughout the 20th Century, KWV restricted the production of wines in such a way that innovation was near impossible and quantity was prioritized over quality.

Yields were restricted and minimum prices set at a level which encouraged production of brandy and fortified wine. KWV’s control over the South African wine sector lasted until the 1990s, and even now, the country’s industry is unusual for its high number of co-operatives.

South African wine fell out of favor internationally during the 20th Century, reaching an all time low when trade sanctions were placed on the country in the 1980s due to its apartheid policies. Nelson Mandela’s release in 1990 and subsequent election as President reinvigorated the industry: wines from the Rust en Vrede estate in Stellenbosch were served at his 1993 Nobel Peace Prize ceremony dinner in Oslo, Norway.

More recently, one of the most challenging years for the South African wine industry was 2020 with the restrictions imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic. From the 26th of March until the 16th of April any trade or manufacturing of alcoholic products was prohibited. Thankfully, a concession was made for the wine industry to complete harvest-related activities, however, restrictions on the domestic sale and transport of alcohol around the country were enforced well into 2021.–