Let's Go To South America!

As a kid, I used to look at the map of South America and wonder how cool it would be to travel the entire length of Chile to the tip of the End of the World. As an adult, I still think about that. One day, I will start in Nicaragua to tour the tobacco fields, work my way down to Brazil to visit a friend, and then over to Chile and Argentina to drink my way through wine country...

But I digress...

Today's review is of Chile's Santa Carolina Pinot Noir 2016.

From the Leyda Valley, Viña Santa Carolina, established in the 1870's, has earned it's place as one of the founding members of Chile's wine production. Their website, http://www.santacarolina.cl/en/, states proudly that the original wine cellar of the estate is now a national monument. Vines from France were brought over and plunged into the damp, cool environment, and a new tradition of wine-making was soon established. The vineyard now produces over 20 million bottles per year.

A modern, crisp white label features a single vine sunk deep into the Chilean soil. A single star, front and center, is perhaps a homage to the single star on Chile's flag. At the bottom, the dark soil proclaims that is wine is a reserva.

At the top, left of the label is a seal proclaiming Santa Carolina as the 2015 New World Winery of the Year, a high honor from the influential Wine Enthusiast magazine.

On the reverse label, a short description of the wine growing region and its effect on their wines. They infer that the region creates a wine with a "wider and greasy mouth" featuring aromas of cherries and strawberries.

In the glass, the Pinot Noir has a thin, dull complexion. A dirty purple, if you will, but not unattractive. It creates an earthy look, as if the soil has added an element of its own, dusty color to the grapes.

The taste was very pleasant. Raspberries, strawberries, and cherries in equal proportion. I'd call this a light medium bodied Pinot Noir. The texture isn't quite as thin as others I've had, but I would not call it bold, either. The tannins are robust, and create a satisfying zing in the mouth.

I would find this wine difficult to pair with a meal. I'd suggest it with cheese, crackers, or light hors d'oeuvres.

Overall, I offer Santa Carolina Pinot Noir a solid three glasses out of five. 🍷🍷🍷 What to might lack in versatility is more than made up by the taste. While Pinot Noir is not among my top favorite varietals, and I am not a frequent cheese and cracker kind of guy, I do enjoy a glass now and then, and I really enjoy the wines of South America, in general.

Cheers!