Potato/Potahto; Tomayto/Tomato; Syrah/Shiraz! No matter how you say it, it's all the same! Okay, I'm probably being simplistic here but the real difference between Syrah and Shiraz isn't the grape but the style.
Syrah is lean and light-bodied with fine tannins - it refers to an Old World approach in winemaking. Whilst Shiraz is generally richer, riper and more fruit-forward in style.
This week we are celebrating International Syrah Day. SAVE 15% discount on your Shiraz, Syrah, or Shiraz blends!
The offer expires on Monday 16th January at midnight so don't delay!
4 products
2021 Ventisquero Vertice Carménère Syrah
Regular price £29.99At the highest point of our Roblería vineyard in the Apalta Valley, a meeting between John Duval and Felipe Tosso gave birth to a unique blend of Carménère and Syrah. Two visions, just one spirit. In a process that delivers the best of each element.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Deep red with violet hues.
Aroma
The nose reveals black fruit, such as blackberries, intermingled with gentle spices, such as black pepper, damp earth, notes of native forest and a hint of graphite and soft spices.
Palate
This wine has a firm structure and silky tannins. Its black fruit and spicy flavors, together with medium to high acidity lend it balance in the mouth and persistence in the finish.
Fermentation
The grapes first underwent a low-temperature pre-fermentative maceration to bring out the maximum colour and aromas. Then the must was fermented in small stainless steel tanks and open tanks. The management of the tannins in this wine is very important.
Aging
The wine was aged for 22 months in 300-litre ultra-fine French oak barrels, 40% of them new and the rest second and third use. Then is was bottle aged for at least 14 months.
Producer
Tosso’s 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 (ex Penfolds) in the production of icon wines Pangea and Vertice, a partnership that continues to this day.
Accolades
Wine Advocate, Robert Parker – 90 points
Reviewed by Luis Gutierrez
The 2017 Vertice Apalta Vineyard is from a riper and more concentrated crop with lower yields and comes through as riper and rounder, with more fruit and concentration. There is more tannin and more power. Part of the wine now matures in oak foudres, and that is helping with the integration of the oak. 38,000 bottles produced.
Specifications
| Year | 2021 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | 51% Carménère & 49% Syrah |
| Country | Chile |
|
Alcohol content
|
14% alc vol
|
| Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
| Type | Red Wine |
| Aging Potential | This wine can be enjoyed now, but it has the potential to be aged for at least 15 years. |
| Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
| Food Matches |
This wine is superb paired with spicy food, such as Indian, Thai, Mexican and Spanish cuisine and other more complex dishes. It also goes well with semi-ripe cheese and strongly flavoured meat such as wild boar and venison.
|
| Origin |
La Roblería Vineyard, Colchagua Valley |
2024 Ventisquero Explorador Merlot
Regular price £9.99"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
"Medium bodied with lovely, ripe multicolour fruits. I get cherry, plum, blackberry and strawberry, with a hint of pepper and spice, all wrapped up in a smooth, soft, velvety finish. It’s entry level price but not entry level flavours which means it overdelivers in value terms." April 2026
Specifications
| Year | 2024 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | 85% Merlot, 15% Syrah |
| Country | Chile |
|
Alcohol content
|
13% alc vol
|
| Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.75 units |
| Type | Red Wine |
| Aging Potential | This wine can be enjoyed now, but it has the potential to be aged for at least 15 years. |
| Allergen Information | Contains sulphites, vegan. vegetarian. |
| Food Matches |
Best served at between 16°C and 18°C. This wine pairs well with semi-mature cheese,
white meat and pasta dishes |
| Origin |
La Roblería Vineyard, Colchagua Valley |
