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Casas del Bosque Late Harvest Riesling wine from Casablanca, Chile produced by winemaker Alberto Guolo
SweetChileRieslingCasablanca Wines

Casas del Bosque Late Harvest Riesling

by Amanda Barnes
written by Amanda Barnes

More about the wine

Casas del Bosque have always made great dry coastal wines (especially their Pequeñas Producciones range) but this late harvest Riesling is another level. Produced with grapes infected by noble rot, the result is an intense, sweet wine with refreshing acidity and lingering notes of mandarin, ripe apricot, honey and toasted almonds.

More about the winery

One of the modern pioneers of Casablanca valley, the Cúneo family founded Casas del Bosque winery in 1993. This cool maritime climate is ideal for fresh coastal wines, and the focus of Casas del Bosque is on Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Noir and Syrah, although winemaker Alberto Guolo is also experimenting with Malbec on the estate.

Casas del Bosque is not only a leader in Casablanca wines but has one of the most popular winery restaurants in Chile, the award-winning Tanino, and boasts a great variety of activities for visitors from bike rides through the vineyards to picnics at the beautiful look out spot, at Casa Mirador. Another of the key pillars of Casas del Bosque is a focus on sustainablity, through their viticulture and winemaking as well as their social and community impact.

Read more about Casas del Bosque winery

 

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Costa y Pampa Riesling tasting note by Amanda Barnes for the South America Wine Guide
ArgentinaRieslingFresh

Costa y Pampa Riesling

by Amanda Barnes
written by Amanda Barnes

More about the winery

One of the most exciting vineyard developments in Argentina this past decade, Trapiche’s Costa y Pampa vineyard was first planted in 2009 as a daring experiment but has gone on to become the vinous face of Argentina’s coast. Now with over 40 hectares of vines planted on the gentle slopes of Chapadmalal, just a few kilometres from the Atlantic sea, this coastal climate produces wines of balance and freshness.

The whites are my favourites so far: tangy, citrus-y Albariño; mouthwatering, saline Chardonnay; and grassy, fresh Sauvignon Blanc. But there’s also a fresh and juicy Pinot Noir and a couple of racy traditional method sparkling wines, including a rosé, to imbibe on.

Right near the coastal resorts of Mar del Plata, the winery is a popular wine tasting visit especially in the summer. Book ahead!

Read more about Costa y Pampa winery

 

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Guide to South American Riesling. Riesling wines in Chile, Argentina and Brazil
Wine

The ultimate guide to South American Riesling

by Amanda Barnes
written by Amanda Barnes

In our guide to Riesling in South America we look at the best wines in Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil, as well as offering an insight into Riesling plantings and the best wine regions for this complex white grape variety. Riesling was first planted in South America back in the late-19th century and, although it is still niche, it has grown in popularity since, both as a single varietal and in old vine field blends. As we get ready to celebrate Riesling Day on 13th March, we thought it was high time to raise a glass to South American Riesling!

Ultimate Guide to Riesling in South America

Riesling key descriptors

Pale lemon colour. Aromas of white blossom, citrus zest & petrol. Dry with searing (high) acidity and medium body.

Riesling winemaking styles

South American Riesling is usually vinified in stainless steel with little or no skin contact, and unoaked or aged in old, neutral oak barrels. It is usually monovarietal and alcohol is normally 13% – 13.5%. Although there are some interesting old vine field blends being made (sometimes with skin contact as orange wines) and it is also being deployed in the new wave of white wine blends.

 

Riesling in Chile

Hectares planted: 394 hectares

Riesling was supposedly first brought to Chile by Isadora Cousiño in the 19th century and, as a result, there are many old Riesling vines hidden in field blends in the traditional valley floor wine regions. Many of these locations are today too hot to make great wines, but the old vines in Itata seem to prove the exception to the rule. However, it’s the new Riesling vines I’m most excited about, as winemakers are taking this fickle variety to new terrains where it can really come into its own.

There are some excellent coastal Riesling wines coming from San Antonio, and Leyda and Lo Abarca in particular, which have a zesty character. Another exciting new terrain for Riesling is in Chile’s southern region of Bio Bio, Malleco and Osorno where cooler temperatures produce a more mineral Riesling with searing acidity. One of my favourite Chilean Rieslings is in fact a mountain Riesling — so far the only one — from high altitude Colchagua: the racy, austere Riesling of Sierras de Bellavista.

Riesling may be a historic variety for Chile, but it’s being given a new lease of life as winemakers take it to new cool-climate frontiers.

Favourite producers

Sierras de Bellavista, Leyda, Casa Marín, Cono Sur, Matetic, Clos de Fous, Casa Silva Lago Ranco, Fatto a Mano, Rogue Vine

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Clos des Fous, Felicea Riesling from Malleco, Chile. Wine tasting note
Malleco WinesRieslingFresh

Clos des Fous, Felicea Riesling

by Clorrie Yeomans
written by Clorrie Yeomans

Riesling is finally having its moment in the sun in Chile and this Riesling from the cooler climate of Malleco shows just how true to character Chilean Riesling can be. Coming from the excellent team at the biodynamic vineyard Clos des Fous, it has all the trademarks of a great Riesling (petrol notes and citrus) with the killer acidity you can expect from Malleco.

Check out their Chardonnay from Malleco too.

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