Tasting Notes 

Sourced from a vineyard nestled into the Andes in the Curico region, this Sauvignon Blanc displays the vibrant fruit of Chile's Central Valley but with elegance from its mountain terroir.

Tasting Notes

A fresh and crisp wine with ripe citrus fruit. Packed with lime zest, lemon and kiwi fruit flavours. Think of cool glacial streams and enjoy the refreshing, racy acidity on the finish. 

Producer

Our long-standing working relationships with growers enable us to source premium fruit, with the ultimate aim of making excellent quality Chilean entry-level wines with true style and character.

For the Sauvignon Blanc, we work with two families in two different locations for a blend with huge appeal. The first is the Martin Family who are nestled into the Andes Mountains in a western corner of Curico. Their vineyards sit around 500 metres above sea level (masl), a far higher altitude than the majority of Curico’s main valley which lies around 250masl. The higher altitude and proximity to the mountains means evening temperatures drop significantly, allowing Sauvignon Blanc grapes to retain crucial acidity as they ripen. This altitude also ensures there is minimal intervention in the vineyards ie. no chemical sprays or irrigation - only pure glacial streams.

Their old established vines planted on steep slopes means grapes can only be harvested by hand. Once the grapes are picked then crushed, cool fermentation is used to preserve the freshness and fruit aromas. We blend this wine from Curico with Sauvignon Blanc from the German Family in Cachapoal. Here, in a warmer location, the variety gains great aromatic expression and typically we see great varietal character thanks to the correct clones being used along with early harvesting. Wines from this warmer spot usually have a little more body, making the blend with the Martin Family wines a great combination of aromatics, fresh acidity and weight. Possibly the biggest strength of this blend is our ability to balance out warmer and cooler vintages with these two different profiles. The wine is settled in tank for a short period before being bottled early to preserve the wines youthful vibrancy.

Specifications

Colour

Pale green in color

Nose

A good intensity aroma where citrus and tropical fruits are mixed, such as lime, grapefruit, pineapple and pear. 

Palate

With vibrant acidity and medium body, it maintains the variety's own freshness, where citrus fruits reappear.

Viticulture

The harvest was carried out from March 28 to April 4, when the grape showed its greatest aromatic potential. The clusters were harvested overnight and then transported to the winery, preserving the quality and character of the variety.

Background

Head Winemaker Felipe Tosso joined Vina Ventisquero in 2000. After seriously considering alternate careers as a tennis pro and classical guitarist, he elected to enter the wine business, describing it as one of his big passions because its more than work its a lifestyle. Winemaking travels have taken him to Napa, Sonoma, Argentina, France, Spain, Italy, Australia, back to Concha Y Toro in Chile and then finally to Vina Ventisquero. In 2003, Felipe began a close collaboration with John Duval in the production of icon wines Pangea and Vertice, a partnership that continues to this day.

Specifications

"Ventisquero Explorador - the adventure begins- pays homage to the Exploradores 
glacier (or "Ventisquero" in spanish) in Southern Chile and all the adventurers who begin 
the tour of our wines."

Tasting Notes

It offers a vibrant, youthful aroma of plum, cherry, and cassis with a touch of spice. The palate is smooth and well-balanced, with silky tannins that beautifully blend the fruit and oak.

Vinification

The selected clusters were transported to the winery, where they underwent a 
low-temperature pre-fermentative maceration o bring out the maximum colour and 
aromas. Then the must was fermented in stainless steel tanks at a controlled 
temperature of between 24°C and 26°C.

Producer

Ventisquero has the only wines in the world from the Atacama desert, making wines 
further north than any other winery in Chile. Ventisquero makes wines in all other 
cardinal points, the west, east and south making them a winery of diversity and 
distinction. They are family owned, with 100% estate vineyards and one of the founding 
wineries to push the sustainability movement in Chile. With award winning Chief 
winemaker Felipe Tosso at the helm and world recognised winemaker John Duval, they 
continue to take Ventisquero ‘a step beyond’.

Alan's Personal Tasting Note

Specifications