This September 4th, we celebrate Chilean Wine Day, a date that recognizes the historical importance, value, and identity of this national drink. To toast to this, two winemakers and a sommelier from Viña Concha y Toro recommend their favorite Marques de Casa Concha wines.
Marcio Ramírez: Marques de Casa Concha Carmenère
“I have two favorite wines from Marques de Casa Concha: Marques de Casa Concha Chardonnay and Marques de Casa Concha Carmenère, but I’ll be toasting with Carmenère this Chilean Wine Day because I think it’s THE quintessential Chilean varietal. Chileans have been drinking Carmenère their entire lives, although at some point, we might not have known it because it was often confused with Merlot. It wasn’t until 1994 that we discovered this grape variety was Carmenère and that it was virtually exclusive to Chile. That’s why I think it’s a very Chilean varietal. But it also pairs really well with our traditional dishes: lentils, charquicán, and a delicious beef empanada. I don’t think there’s anything better than Marques de Casa Concha Carmenère to celebrate Chilean Wine Day,” says Marcio Ramírez, winemaker for this and all Carmenère wines produced by Viña Concha y Toro.
Massimo Leonori: Marques de Casa Concha Chardonnay
“I believe that on Chilean Wine Day, we can’t forget to enjoy a good white wine. Traditionally, Chile has always been a producer of great red wines, but nowadays, white wines are also very important. Besides, we can’t forget that Chile has 4,000 km of coastline, and white wine is crucial for pairing with seafood dishes. I’d recommend Marques de Casa Concha Chardonnay, which is a wine I personally like a lot. It comes from the Limarí Valley, influenced by the cool Pacific Ocean breezes and calcium-rich soil. It’s a wine with a fresh style and a great attitude, with a sense of origin, featuring a mineral note at the finish, along with freshness and acidity. It’s a wine that goes down very easily and is perfect for pairing with seafood and fish-based dishes,” says Leonori, Head Sommelier for Viña Concha y Toro.
Marcelo Papa: Marques de Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon
“Because the Maipo Valley is one of Chile’s most traditional wine regions and famous for its Cabernet Sauvignon, I believe that on Chilean Wine Day and in September in general, Marques de Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon is a must. This is a grape variety that seen significant development in our country; it has been planted in many valleys, but Alto Maipo is one of the most classic regions for producing a Cabernet Sauvignon with notes of blackcurrant, blackberry, cherry, cedar, firm tannins, and a great structure, making it an ideal wine to enjoy while grilling out during the month of September. It’s a wine that pairs wonderfully with any grilled food, but especially steak,” says the winemaker of Marques de Casa Concha and Technical Director for Concha y Toro, Marcelo Papa.
