Chile’s big guns enter sparkling market

(TheDrinksBusiness) - Four of Chile’s most influential producers are set to launch traditional method sparkling wines onto the international market.

Errazuriz, Cono Sur, Concha y Toro and Montes all have traditional method sparklers in production set to fill a price gap between cava and Champagne.

Concha y Toro’s effort, Subercaseaux, made by chief winemaker Marcelo Papa, is a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Limarí.

Cono Sur’s sparkler meanwhile, is made with grapes grown in the western part of the Casablanca Valley that also go into its 20 Barrels Chardonnay.

“The quality of the grapes is crucial for sparkling wine production. You can’t make good fizz without top grapes and these are exceptional, as the cool nights in Casablanca allow them to ripen very slowly,” Hurtado told the drinks business.

His blanc de blancs will be aged for two years before release in the UK in late 2015 at around £15 a bottle.

Aurelio Montes meanwhile has chosen to use Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the coastal region of Zapallar, 7km from the Pacific Ocean in the Aconcagua Valley.

The as yet unnamed wine, which spends a year on the less, is due to launch in the UK next Christmas at around £15 a bottle.

Montes plans to leave 1,000 of his 18,000-bottle debut vintage aside to age for a further four years to create “something really special.”

“Sales of sparkling wine are going crazy all over the world; it’s time for Chile to be part of the party,” Montes told db.