[PHOTO: Jo Diaz, all rights reserved]
This is the sixth wine, and last in this series about Sustainable Chilean Wines, but definitely not the least. In fact, this one is the most recognizable to me…
- Intro – Chilean Wines that Collectively Underline Chile’s Historic Commitments.
- Chilean Wine Lineup ~ Viña Maquis Gran Reserva
- Chilean Wine Lineup ~ Viña Koyle Family Vineyards
- Chilean Wine Lineup ~ Viña Tarapacá
- Chilean Wine Lineup ~ Viñedos Emiliana Coyam
- Chilean Wine Lineup ~ Viu Manent
- Chilean Wine Lineup ~ Viña Concha y Toto
The sixth wine in a series of Chilean Sustainable Wines… Concha y Toro. I have a lot of history of enjoying this wine. My first sample came in 2013. Over the years, this wine has remained extremely consistent with deliciousness and quality. Each new vintage I continue to treasure.
My greatest joy came in Puerto Rico, when I was looking for wine in the neighborhood grocery store. In a sea of Spanish wine imports, there it was… recognizable and a comfort wine. Nothing was going to be hit or miss for me on the Isla de Encanta. I suppose I missed having other delicious Spanish wine treasures, but I didn’t care. I was on vacation, and I just wanted to sip, savor, and enjoy the surf.
When I have of bottle of wine from this Chilean producer, I’m sure of its quality and affordability. As my favorite wine shop owner used to say, it’s a lot of quality for the price.
Sustainability Efforts ~ Wines of Chile
Sustainable 365
The Wines of Chile Sustainable 365 program brought delectable samples to my door, from South America. The beginning of their terroir defined… From the Vinos de Chile Website:
“The Sustainability Code of the Chilean Winemaking Industry is a voluntary standard that guides winemaking companies in the challenge to work sustainably based on requirements in three complementary areas: vineyard, winery-bottling plant, and the social sector.
“It is an initiative that is open to all Chilean vineyards, regardless of whether they are a member or not of Wines of Chile or the R+D Consortium, and the aim is to position Chilean wine rather than individual companies. It has successfully been consolidated as a relevant initiative for the Chilean wine sector, and it has begun to form part of the image of Chilean wine.”
[PHOTO: Purchased: all rights reserved.
Colchagua Valley Snapshots
FROM: VINOS de CHILE
Located in the southern half of the Rapel Valley, the Colchagua Valley has evolved over the last twenty years from being a calm stretch of farmland to becoming one of the largest and most active wine-producing regions in the country. The relatively low altitude of the coastal hills allows the Pacific breeze to mingle with the Andean winds, which cools the valley and prolongs the maturation period of the region. This is advantageous for the preservation of acidity in the grapes, and helps to generate red wines with excellent coloring, great freshness, and very good keeping qualities. The large majority of wine produced here is red, with a particular propensity for the production of Carménère, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. Although, the newer plantations close to the coast have also proven to be a region with great potential for cool-climate white wines
[PHOTO: Jo Diaz: all rights reserved]
Concha y Toro Gran Reserva Series
From their text to me:
Concha y Toro Gran Reserva Serie Ribeiras Cabernet Sauvignon, 2019 / SRP $17
In 2021, powerhouse Concha y Toro received B Corporation Certification, which recognizes companies around the world that meet the highest standards of environmental management, governance and social performance. The Serie Ribeiras line of wines are single vineyard wines offered at super competitive prices. Fruit for this wine comes from the Palo Santo Vineyard, D.O. Marchigüe, Colchagua Valley, on the banks of the Tinguiririca River. The unctuous wine, aged in French oak and foudres, is 94.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, with Syrah and Carmenere rounding out the blend.
Sustainability Pillar: B Corporation-certified with metrics including: 100% drip irrigation, 97% of waste reused/ recycled, 24% reduction of waste over 2018, 83% of energy comes from renewable sources.
Carbon Footprint has also been a focus for Concha y Toro, who have been working with international scientific organizations, thttps://www.winesofchile.org/o develop a detailed roadmap, which identifies costs and pegs them to reduction levels and targets. This methodology has been shared with Wines of Chile and in June 2021 several companies will sign a document in to commit to specific reductions – a first in the wine world.
[PHOTO purchased: all rights reserved]
Concha y Toro Gran Reserva Serie Ribeiras
Cabernet Sauvignon
Concha y Toro is in more than 140 countries. Imagine… The world loves their wines’ consistent great flavors and affordability. Honestly, if you love Cabernet, I don’t know what’s not to love! But, as I always like to remind… this is my palate. You’ll just have to try for yourself.
When I swirled, sniffed, and then tasted this sample, a familiar note of cocoa and a hint of tobacco returned, like an old friend visiting for another fun-filled adventure. With the Concha y Toro Gran Reserva Serie Ribeiras Cabernet Sauvignon, its classic Cab’s bold flavors were followed by the blackberries and singular focus of their wine.
I’m taking this one all the way back to Chile, for what dish to enjoy with it. This is traditional Chilean Cazuela de Vacuno or Cazuela de Carne; a beef soup with potato, corn, pumpkin, carrot, bell pepper, onion and rice, cut parsley, and bread slices on the side.
[PHOTO purchased: all rights reserved]
About Concha y Toro ~ From Their Website
Concha y Toro’s history begins in 1883 with our founder’s -Melchor Concha y Toro- dream to create the best wines. A tradition persevered over time, inspiring us to work with passion and excellence in our brands.
Concha y Toro is today the most admired wine brand in the world. Our wines deliver rewarding and unique experiences to our consumers around the world. We are present in over 130 countries.
Our brands -such as Casillero del Diablo, Marques de Casa Concha, and Don Melchor- have conquered their outstanding quality and maintain an undisputed leadership position in the competitive world of wine.
This is part of our history.
1883 – Concha y Toro’s beginning
Melchor Concha y Toro -a prominent Chilean lawyer, politician, and businessman- decides to bet on Pirque’s winemaking potential. To do so, he brings in French vines from the Bordeaux region; he invests in winemaking machinery and builds a subway vault to store his wines. From this visionary gesture, Concha y Toro was born.
1993 – From Chile to the world
Wine production is becoming more and more relevant, as well as the acquisition of new land. The transition from a family business to a corporation makes Viña Concha y Toro an influential player in the emerging national market. Our first export was to Holland in 1933.
1996 – A Wine Legend is born
Legend has it that the best wines were kept in a locked cellar because they frequently went missing. It was then that Melchor Concha y Toro spread the rumor that the Devil himself lived in his cellar… The word spread, and in a short, fear took hold of everyone. Today, the legend is still alive. Casillero del Diablo is the second most influential wine brand worldwide and first in Latin America.
1976 – Marques de Casa Concha
Melchor Concha y Toro was the seventh Marquis of Casa Concha. In honor of this noble title, which dates back to 1718, Marques de Casa Concha was launched, its first wine being a Cabernet Sauvignon – 1972 vintage – from the renowned Puente Alto vineyard.
Their story continues in their timeline, and I recommend if you are researching, visit this page for further details on their Website.
Welcome, especially if you’re also learning about Chilean wines. This story is part of a series, composed from the following:
- Research on other sites and wine books
- My own 29 years of being in the wine business
- 57 units in a wine-sales and marketing degree program
- Traveling to international wine regions
- Vina Concho y Toro’s Website
And lastly, this YouTube video gives us a great overview. I hope you have enjoyed this series of learning with me.
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