Chilean Vines

                        I am probably the least qualified to address you on the next subject of our Port Excursion/Tour that we had in San Antonio, Chile.

 And that subject is Wine Tasting.

I am far more qualified on addressing the better qualities of a good glass of milk than I am on a bad glass of wine.

But Princess did not offer an Excursion to a local Dairy Farm for Milk Tasting……. consequently, here I am. Glinda always said that “It is always best to start at the beginning” …. so, hang onto your screwcaps ‘cuz here we go……….

Along time ago, in a vineyard far, far, away……

 The Greeks brought some form of winemaking to southern France in the 6th century BC. The Romans added their two denarii when it was still called Gaul, a little later the Monks chanted in, adding their expertise since they owned the best vineyards until the French Revolution when they were confiscated (along with the ones that the Nobility owned). Fast-forward to sometime in the 19^th century and the Bordeaux Classification, which is considered the start of modern winemaking and classification system.

The End.

                        Can I get an Amen(!)?

Being able to identify, comment on, and really put forth an informed opinion on a glass of wine has always been a secret desire of mine.

                                                Really Donny? You don’t even like wine!

                                                Yea, I know. I was just pullin’ your cork!

                                                I couldn’t give two snifters about it but I’m the one writing this thing! Nonetheless, I do have a hefty respect for the folks that are truly informed and can perceive a nuanced hint of loamy vanilla/peachy earth from a taste of a 2018 Domaine Vigneau-Chevreau with their eyes closed. That particular wine was not what we had on the wine tasting. We had three samplings of a fine winemaker in Chile, Matetic Vineyards. We sampled a Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, and a Pinot Noir. I started this report with the French because it was them that really got this industry growing….  😊

                                    But much to their chagrin, (watch the movie “Bottle Shock” 2008, Alan Rickman, Bill Pullman, and Chris Pine…..it’s a hoot and it’s a true story!) the rest of the world chimed in and said, “Hey! We’ve got some great soil and climate too! And we’re not snobby either! People will buy our stuff just to piss you off!”

                                    And the rest is history….. and a lot of wine! The world beat a path to the other really good regions for winemaking and lo and behold, just about anyone can have a vineyard! (Results are not guaranteed and may vary, you should check with your local vintner to be sure….. ) But, yup, here we were in the foothills outside of San Antonio, Chile which just happens to be on the same latitude (but South) as Napa Valley in California! What a ka-winky-dink! And…… their stuff is good too!

                                    Now, let’s be honest here, I have no idea if it is good or not, but all of those Wine Experts over at Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, and SOMM Magazines have all declared that several of the Chilean wines rank right up there with some of the best in the world. Including the French. So there we were, all forty of us, getting schnozzed on, and listening to an impressive talk on wines, how and what affects their ….. well, everything! And how this particular vineyard works Nature into the process and produces over 400,000 bottles of wine a year!

                        Having, or not having, the appropriate knowledge of wines and the intricate procedures that go into their formative developments does not take anything away from the fact that just the miniscule tweaking of any of these factors can alter a wine and either ruin it, or maybe make it better(?) or in fact, result in an entirely new taste of a particular varietal.

                        Hey Donny! You almost sound like you know something!

                        Nope….. it’s just common sense.

                        If you take anything that is organic in nature and alter the factors that make it what it is, it stands to reason that you will probably affect the end outcome. I guess that this is the fascinating aspect of winemaking that rings true whether you like wine or not….. and it’s these nuances that make this industry and its productions fun for that aficionado, connoisseur, or whatever you want to call a wine enthusiast.

                        In the case of the growers in Chile, they are blessed with a good climate, some incredible soils, and a European influence that dates back to the Colonial Period. Plus, they are in the Southern Hemisphere which has its season reversed from the Northern Hemisphere which means that if you are well-to-do European Baron (or Baroness!) and want an Estate to travel to when it’s cold up North…… you get where this is going.

                        So now you are probably wondering if these tastings were any good. According to my own sommelier, Madam Paula, they were very nice. Nice enough to acquire two bottles and hopefully sneak back into the USA. This is another aspect of this Wine Thing that is fascinating…… buying the wines that you taste when visiting the Winery. First, you have to pay for the wines at a “tasting”. Then when it’s all over they escort you to the Retail Place, and you get to buy (again) the wines that you just tasted.

Brilliant!

                                    To me, that’s like paying for a Ford Factory Tour, they let you handle a few parts, maybe an alternator, a brake caliper, and some lug nuts, and then they bring you to a showroom where they dump you so that you can buy a few cars or trucks to take home with you!

                                                            Only kidding!

                                                            It was fun participating with those forty new best friends from the Ship, Paula did like the wines, and even though I am usually the Designated Driver, the Bus Driver refused to let me drive back to the Ship informing me that he had seen me with my three samples of the Vino…..

                                    So, to get my revenge, I led everyone on the bus in a raucous rendition of “99 Bottles of Wine on the Wall”…. 

                                                Until….. we arrived back at the Ship where I was promptly slapped into the Brig and put on a diet of milk and cookies and was told I would stay there until I behaved better.

Glinda was in the next cell.

I’m gonna be bad for a long time.