As the Weather Warms Up, Our Tastebuds Turn Chile

Media Release:


This spring Australia is dancing to the beat of a caja chayera (a Chilean drum). Not only was it Chilean Independence Day on September 18th but also the Crave Sydney International Food Festival (Oct 1-31, 2011) has a South American flavour this year. An ideal time to try the new…

Handpicked Wines 2008 'Selections'
Carmenère, Maipo Valley Chile (RRP $20)

Carmenère, believed to be one of the original six noble grapes of Bordeaux, is now rarely found in France and has been successfully claimed by Chile as its own. Chile's dry, warm and moderated climate has proved to be perfect for this grape, producing delicious wines particularly when in the skilled hands of a winemaker like Eduardo Jordán.

Eduardo is known the world over, sometimes not by name but through his wines. Perhaps the strongest brand he has made wine for is De Martino – the first winery in Chile to label a wine as Carmenère. His knowledge of this grape enables him to create wines that truly showcase this variety at its best; crimson coloured, medium-bodied wines, with tannins that are gentler and softer than Cabernet Sauvignon, and a palate full of dark cherries, black fruits, lovely spice and smoky qualities, and a freshness of black fruit skin acidity.

There's not much Eduardo doesn't know about Carmenère or Chile's diverse soils or micro-climates. In fact, his full-time project is to search for new viticultural zones in Chile and he makes a habit of visiting other wine regions to update his knowledge.  He extensive travels outside of Chile are how he became part of the Handpicked Wines family of winemakers.

Handpicked Wines, from Two Eights Australia, is a global winery that brings together an expert team of world-acclaimed winemakers and growers to hand-craft a uniquely diverse portfolio of wines suitable for any moment; a handpicked selection of highly-regarded classics from trusted regions, varieties and vintages (such as the Handpicked Wines 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra) together with exciting, emerging styles and hot trends from around the world (such as this contemporary Carmenère).

Handpicked collaborates with winemakers who are open-minded, and whilst they are often champions of particular areas, they also appreciate listening, discussing and determining the best world-wide wine regions and current climatic conditions for both traditional and modern varieties. Winemakers like Eduardo Jordán, Dominique Portet, Peter Douglas and Rolf Binder, to name a few, who have helped create a handpicked fusion of wine styles – all under one brand – that wine lovers can come to for their well-known favourites or to enjoy discovering something new.

And if you don't get the opportunity to discover this great Carmenère this spring, don't worry. Chilean's also celebrate the day when they were "officially" proclaimed independence (Feb 12, 1818) so the festivities will start all over again in February. Salud, amor y tiempo para disfrutarlo – health, love and time to enjoy it!


Handpicked Wines are distributed by Two Eights Australia.

Available nationally though independent liquor stores.

www.handpicked-wines.com