After arriving and settling in Santiago, the first trip on the agenda was to visit the Concha y Toro Winery.
This winery is one of the most famous in Chile.
The Road
This winery is a short distance from the city center, I thought it would be much further, but it was very quick according to the GPS instructions without any problems.
The roads leading to Concha y Toro winery, in addition to being in excellent condition offer an incredible setting where the vegetation contrasts with the Andes mountain range in the background.
The Reception
I recommend making a reservation at least 24 hours in advance on the Concha y Toro website.
This will make the process easier when you get there and depending on the season and which tastings you want to do, you may not find an available time and your trip there may be wasted.
The most basic tour includes a visit to the winery and a tasting of 3 wines. If I remember correctly, prices started at 20,000 pesos.
We chose the Fine Wines Experience with tasting of 9 wine varieties.
As soon as we arrived, we were welcomed by the winery team and Chilean hospitality was present from the beginning, where we waited in a very calm environment for the start of the tour.
Very well organized, it was time to drink some water and take a walk around the store.
Our tour was about to start, with a scheduled time, we waited anxiously in the courtyard and I took the opportunity to start taking several photos.
The tour begins in the gardens and outdoor park of the 19th-century Concha y Toro family summer home.
You will see a "living tunnel of leaves" overlooking the grapevines.
Tour
After waiting for a while, we were led through the facilities and the grape plantations that spread over hectares.
After a short wait, we were shown around the facilities and the grape plantations that stretch for hectares.
The vineyards were dry, but even so, they created a beautiful landscape with their orange tones contrasting with the blue sky and the Andes mountain range in the background.
The guide explained to us about the different varieties of grapes grown there and their contributions to the different wines produced there.
First Wine Tasting
We continued on to the Main House, a historic building with traditional architecture and elegance.
It was in this setting that we had our first tasting where you will receive your glass and instructions on the wine to be tasted.
We started with the wines from the Marques de Casa Concha line, Concha y Toro's premium wines are produced with selected grapes and aged in French oak barrels. Varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Carmenere.
And there's nothing better than tasting wine with these stunning landscapes. The Alps often reminded me of Switzerland.
My chosen wine was Cabernet Sauvignon, full-bodied, fruity and balanced.
Tasting Tips
Always start by observing the color of the wine against a white background. This will reveal whether it is a young or mature wine, the types of grapes and even if the wine is spoiled.
Then check the aromas, swirl the glass gently to release the aromas and smell to identify the notes. This will be a personal perception and the most common aromas are fruits, spices and wood.
Ah, wine tasting is about appreciating and understanding the flavors and learning more about the history of wine, not about getting drunk, taste in moderation and enjoy the experience.
Finally, taste the wine by leaving it in your mouth for a few seconds and take the time to feel the flavor, texture and acidity.
Practice a lot, the more you taste, the better you will become, remember that tasting is very personal, so trust your palate and your olfactory memories without fear of making mistakes!
Casillero del Diablo
We then went on to discover one of Concha y Toro's most famous lines, Casillero del Diablo.
This is a highlight is the visit to the legendary underground wine cellar of Casillero del Diablo full of history.
I remember that this was one of my first Chilean wines, which made me love wine even more. It was very well made and had an interesting story behind its wonderful label.
You are taken to the basement, a dark place, where the multimedia presentation of the history of wine begins. Sounds, audio and projected images create an enigmatic atmosphere.
After the presentation, we continue to the Oak Barrels that are storing and fermenting the most select grapes for the Casillero line.
Fine Wines Tasting
Afterwards, the experience became even more special...
We continued on to a tasting session in a private room of some of Concha y Toro's most exclusive wines.
There were four wines accompanied by fine cheeses from the region and guidance from a sommelier.
We tried the Coyam, the Epu, the Trivento Eolo and the Heritage Puente Alto.
My favorite is the Heritage, followed by the Epu.
The cheeses were chosen to complement the wines, intensifying the sensory experience.
The combination of textures and flavors between wines and cheeses was incredible, and I was able to learn more about this world of tasting, where each tasting you learn something new.
Souvenirs
This visit to the Concha y Toro Winery was unforgettable and the details and quality made this experience worthwhile and I highly recommend it to all wine lovers.
Don't miss visiting Concha y Toro not only for the wines, but for the stories, landscapes and wines that will guarantee an incredible experience.
And before you finish and save even more of these memories, a visit to the store where you can find, in addition to the labels, various items and decorative accessories for wines.
It makes you want to buy all the items.
Now, let's move on to another tasting... but that will be the topic for the next post.
I hope you enjoyed it and see you soon to taste more wines in Chile.
