Fizzy future for Maycas del Limari

Concha y Toro’s upmarket range, Maycas del Limari, is adding a sparkling wine to its portfolio.

Confirmation of the launch, which is hoping to make an impact in the UK off-trade, was made by the brand’s chief winemaker Marcelo Papa during his visit to London.

Speaking last week of the decision to turn to sparkling wine, Papa told the drinks business: “I have always wanted to include a sparkling wine in the range and now our quality of Chardonnay has never been so high. We have all the right resources, so why not?”  

The wine will be a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and will be made by the traditional method, unlike its sister brand’s sparkling wine, Casillero del Diablo, which is made in the charmat method.

Given the Maycas del Limari sparkling wine has only just started to be made in this year’s vintage, listings and a retail price are still to be confirmed. Even so, it will add a new dimension to the range which currently consists of three tiers; Reserva, Reserva Especial and Quebrada.

Papa, who added that American customers are now starting to ask him for less oaky wines, said that the UK is “seven years ahead of the market” in terms of starting and accepting wine trends.

Jane Parkinson, 11.10.2010