CHILE PROFILE: Wines from Chile

The Wines of Chile Annual Trade Tastings provide visitors with an opportunity to discover exciting new wines and learn more about the dynamic developments in Chilean wine production. On display will be both familiar brands and new-to-the-UK wineries

The Wines of Chile Annual Trade Tasting, the biggest event in the Wines of Chile calendar, is just around the corner and we have a new date and a new venue for your diary:

Tuesday 16 October 2007
The Gallery Hall and Atrium – The Business Design Centre,
52 Upper Street, Islington, London N1
10am-6pm

There are many reasons why you should look more closely at Chile. The quirk of nature that squashes Chile between the sea on one side, mountains on the other, and puts deserts in the north and ice fields in the south has provided viticulturists with exceptional conditions for grape growing. With a winemaking heritage that stretches back 500 years, Chile’s modern, stable economy and significant investment have encouraged expansion and diversification. Passionate and determined Chilean winemakers have ensured quality and character in the wines.Together these have resulted in steadily increasing exports of Chilean wine and in the UK Chilean wine sales recently overtook Spain to hold sixth place in the country league table and 7.1% of the UK market.

Chile is constantly breaking ground as new regions are explored, different grape varieties planted and new wines developed. If you want to see what Chile is up to then a trip to the Business Design Centre is a must. There will be up to 100 stands and around 1,000 wines from across the country’s premium wine growing regions, with many of the winemakers and principals attending to present them.

Star Wines
Each exhibitor will select one “must taste” wine per table – their Star Wine – and these will be highlighted throughout the catalogue. The idea is to make it easier for guests who need some direction when they arrive at the tasting.

Focus Tasting
There will be two “focus tastings” set up in the Atrium area to highlight Chile’s strength in two key areas of market growth: rosé wines and Sauvignon Blanc, priced between £5.99 and £10. Consumer research and trade statistics confirm that rosé and white wines are showing significant increases and while Chile is often recognised as a key red wine producer, this  tasting aims to show guests how they can look to Chile to boost these important sectors.

Photographic Exhibition
An additional feature this year is a photographic exhibition by the inspiring UK born photographer Matt Wilson. He now lives in Chile with his wife Andrea Leon, who is a winemaker at Casa Lapostolle. His work takes an original look at Chile’s vineyards and brings to life the many characters behind the wines. The exhibition will be open all day in the Atrium.Wines of Chile