These producers have the potential to transform the image of Chile from being merely a producer of reliable, supermarket-friendly wines to its rightful place as the home of some of the world's most impressive wines.
(PRWEB UK) 8 December 2011
Bibendum Director of Buying for the Southern Hemisphere, Iain Muggoch, has challenged Chile to move away from predictable branded pyramid ranges and focus on the country’s potential to produce exciting, terroir-driven wines that can rival the best in the world.
Speaking after a recent visit to the country, Muggoch said: “Chile is currently at a crossroads. For a long time, it has played to the UK, US & China’s demand for large volumes of low priced but clean varietal wines. There was no other country that could produce this quality at the bulk prices and availability being offered.
“However, the consequences of the 2010 earthquake and rising costs throughout the supply chain mean that the Chile is simply no longer able to produce enough good quality juice to meet global demand for entry level wine.
“Chile now has a fantastic opportunity to change the way people around the world perceive it, by focusing on its old vines, exciting, varied terroirs and talented, innovative winemakers. It needs to break out of the boring pyramid that starts with varietal wines and moves up through ‘Reserva’ and ‘Single Vineyard’ to ‘Icon’ and produce more wines that really excite consumers.
“We are now working with a number of boutique producers and independent winemakers in the country, and I have never been more excited about Chilean wine.”
New Wines for Bibendum
Bibendum is now importing wines from five artisan Chilean producers: Laberinto (Maule), Rukumilla (Maipo), Garage Wine Company (Maule), Flaherty (Aconcagua) and Lagar de Bezana (Alto Cachapoal).
With the exception of Laberinto, these are all members of MOVI – the Movement of Independent Vintners – which has attracted international acclaim both for its game-changing attitude and the its quality of members’ wines.
Muggoch said, “These wines stand apart from everything else that Chile exports to the UK and they have the potential to transform the image of Chile from being merely a producer of reliable, supermarket-friendly wines to its rightful place as the home of some of the world’s most impressive wines.
“Take the Garage Wine Company, for example. Derek Mossmann Knapp has spent the last few years trawling Maule for old Carignan vines, many of which were planted in the 1930s. He works closely with local grape growers to rejuvenate vineyards and ensure a future for both the farmers and the fruit. It is an outstanding project on a truly handmade scale that produces one of the finest Chilean wines I have ever tasted.”
Bibendum Managing Director, Michael Saunders, added: “These new wines are just the tip of the iceberg of our plans for 2012. Our buying team has been very busy recruiting new artisan agencies from across the world, and we will be launching a whole host of exciting projects at our annual trade tasting in London on 25th January 2012.”
The new Chilean wines are available in very limited quantities to the on-trade and independent merchants. Look out for the Garage Wine Company and other new, boutique wines at Bibendum’s Annual Tasting on 25th January 2012.
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