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With over 20 grape varieties grown in Chile, the Carménère grape has become Chile’s “signature” grape. Carménère is a member of the Cabernet family and was originally planted in the Medoc region of Bordeaux, France. It is considered part of the original six grapes of Bordeaux. The name Carménère is derived from the French word crimson. It was thought to be extinct after the European phylloxera outbreaks in the 19th century. However, the grape was rediscovered in Chile in the 1990s. Chile now has the largest area of planted Carménère in the world. Today, Carménère grows chiefly in the Colchagua Valley, Rapel Valley, and Maipo Province of Chile and produces the majority of Carménère wines. Carménère is known for its deep red color with fruit-driven blackberry, cherry and spice flavors.  Here is a sampling of six noteworthy wines.  In Situ Reserva Carménère 2021 José Vincente founded In Situ Family Vineyards in 1974. After growing grapes for 20 years, he and his son Horacio decided to build a winery and produce high-quality wines in the Aconcagua Valley. The winery is located in San Esteban, Region V, Chile. The Upper Aconcagua terroirs are well-suited to wine growing with a unique combination of soil, light, and water. This wine is 95% Carménère and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, handpicked from two vineyards. One is located on the slopes of Paidahuen hill (3,000 feet above sea level); the other vineyard is on the riverbanks of the Aconcagua River. The wine is aged in 50% French and 50% American 225-litre oak barrels for 12 months. After bottling, this wine was aged for at least three additional months before release.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Nose: Dark fruit, spice, herbal notes, and a hint of cedar. Palate: Dark cherry, dark berries, baking spice, anise, a hint of cocoa, and acidity blended into the mix. Alcohol: 13% SRP: $13 Pairing suggestions: In Situ suggests honey-roasted lamb or pork in mustard sauce. Try seared tuna in peppercorn sauce as well. InVINA Luma Chequen Gran Reserva Carménère 2020 InVina is a family-owned winery that the Huber family founded in 2007. With over 20 years of experience in Chilean viticulture and wine, they are focused on investing in and developing vineyards in the Maule Valley. They are also focused on producing quality grapes and wine. This 100% Carménère is handpicked from the best lots of InVina’s estate vineyards in the Maule Valley appellation. The wine is aged in oak barrels for 12 months and bottled with minimum filtration.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Nose: Ripe, lush berries, cherry, herbs, forest floor, and a hint of bell pepper. Palate: Dark cherry, blueberry, baking spice, chocolate, and pepper. It is a smooth and fresh wine with a hint of sapidity on the finish. Alcohol: 13.9% SRP: $17 Pairing suggestions: Enjoy with aged cheese, game, beef stew, spicy cuisine, or vegetable risotto. Morandé Vitis Única Carménère 2021 Viña Morandé was founded by Pablo Morandé in 1996. He was the first person to plant vines in the Casablanca Valley, and also has vineyards in Maule Valley and Maipo Valley. The company is dedicated to implementing sustainable practices to benefit the environment in their decision-making processes. Their eye is on traditional with an innovative spirit in the vineyards and winery. The grapes for this 100% Carménère are handpicked from the San Bernardo estate, located in the Maipo Valley. The vines are planted in a bed of pure gravel. This wine is aged for about 16 months in 80% French oak foudres and 20% in new French oak barrels.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Nose: Hints of violet with cherry, dark berries, baking spice, pepper, and espresso beans. Palate: Aromas segue onto the palate with persistent and vibrant fruit, earthy forest floor, and smooth tannins. The finish is long, with chocolate, spice, and cherry lingering. Alcohol: 13.5% SRP: $20 Pairing suggestions: Viña Morandé suggests stews, white meat, creamy pasta, young cheese, and dark chocolate. Primus Carménère D.O Apalta 2020 Primus Winery was founded over 20 years ago by Agustin Hunneus. The estate is located in Apalta, a sub-region of Colchagua Valley. This exclusive appellation gained Denomination of Origin (D.O.) status in 2018. Only seven wineries have the privilege of owning vineyards here. Primus is Latin for “the first” or “the first among its peers.” Primus is the pioneering regenerative organic and biodynamic winery of Apalta, with vines dating back to 1889. The grapes for this 100% Carménère were harvested from the highest part of their organic vineyard and in the lower part of the property as well. The wine was aged 12 months in French oak barrels, 18% new barrels.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Nose: A hint of floral with cherry, blueberry, spice, herbs, and cocoa. Palate: Vibrant and fruity with dark cherry, berries, baking spice, and silky tannins. A touch of pepper and minerality linger on a long finish. Alcohol: 14.5% SRP: $21 Pairing suggestions: Primus suggests beef empanadas, lamb curry, and stews. TerraNoble CA2 Costa 2020 TerraNoble, founded in 1993, is in the Maule Valley of Chile. TerraNoble initially presented itself as a boutique winery specializing in Merlot. However, in 1994, Chilean Merlot was identified as Carménère, so TerraNoble committed to this rediscovered variety. Since then, they have extended viticultural experimentation and innovative winemaking practices to the Colchagua and Casablanca valleys. The grapes for this 100% Carménère are handpicked from their vineyard plots in the Colchagua Valley ’Costa’, Lolol vineyard, 40 kilometers from the ocean. 58% of the wine was aged in untoasted foudres, and 42% in new and previously used 300-lt French oak barrels for 16 months. It was then further aged for nine months in bottle.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Nose: Lush red fruit, spice, earth, dark coffee beans, and herbs. Palate: Dark berries, herbs, and spice blend with silky tannins that are nicely balanced with acidity. The finish is long, with dark chocolate, espresso, and a hint of herbs and minerality lingering. Alcohol: 14.5% SRP: $36 Pairing suggestions: TerraNoble suggests thick ribs, oven-roasted beef brisket, risotto, or seasoned foods. Montes Wings Carménère 2020 Montes Winery is based in the Colchagua Valley, Chile, with its vineyards spread throughout the country. It was established in 1987 by original partners Aurelio Montes and Douglas Murray. In 1988, Alfredo Vidaurre and Pedro Grand joined the partnership. These visionaries created a company recognized worldwide today, with their wines exported to over a hundred countries. Wings was created from a long-running dispute between Aurelio Monte Sr. and his son, Aurelio Jr. His son wanted to produce a “more free-flowing style of Carménère.” The result is Wings. It is 85% Carménère and 15% Cabernet Franc. Grapes for this wine are sourced and hand-picked from their Finca de Apalta estate in the Colchagua Valley. The wine was aged in new French oak barrels (80%) and second- and third-use barrels (20%) for 16 months before bottling.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Nose: Dark berries, cherry, pepper, baking spice, tobacco, and a hint of fig. Palate: Lush dark fruit with spice and a touch of dark chocolate lingering on a long finish. Beautifully structured and complex. It will only get better with age! Alcohol: 14.5% SRP: $55 Pairing suggestions: Aged cheese platter, roasted/grilled meat, mushroom stew, lamb chops, or vegetable risotto. Happy sipping!  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Until next time…
Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] As you might know by now, I don’t need a particular reason to open a bottle of wine, regardless of the price tag. I’m all about celebrating “just because” moments! So, whether you’re in the mood for bubbles or still wine, these wallet-friendly and easy-drinking wines are an excellent addition to keep in your refrigerator for your “just because” moments!  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Occasionally,, I review new vintages of my favorite wines from producers I have written about in the past. And so it is with Pasqua Vigneti é Cantine, who always pleases my palate with their expressive and memorable wines. Still Wines Pasqua “11 Minutes” Rosé Trevenezie IGT 2023 Founded in 1925, this family-run business is located in Verona, Italy. and is led by third-generation Pasqua brothers Riccardo and Alessandro. The company has complete control over approximately 741 acres of vineyards (1/3 is estate-owned), stretching from Lake Garda to Soave. This wine is a unique blend of sustainably grown grapes sourced from Lake Garda. The blend is 50% Corvina, 25% Trebbiano di Lugana, 15% Syrah and 10% Carménère. It is called “11 Minutes” because after harvest thes grapes are gently pressed, and with only 11 minutes of skin contact, the most noteworthy qualities of the grapes are extracted, and the color is obtained. The bottle is an unusual and eye-catching oval shape, with an alluring photo of Lesbia seen through the front label.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Nose: Lovely floral notes, red berries, citrus, and a hint of herbs. Palate: This is a fresh and inviting rosé with wild strawberries, spice, vibrant acidity, and a touch of pink grapefruit on the finish. Alcohol: 12.5% SRP: $18.99 Pairing suggestions: Enjoy as an aperitif or serve with grilled fish, seafood, risotto, or salads. Veramonte Chardonnay 2022 Viñedos Veramonte is an organic estate established over 25 years ago, and it sits at the extreme eastern end of Chile’s Casablanca Valley. The Veramonte vineyards are located in both Casablanca Valley and Colchagua Valley. Organic grapes for this 100% Chardonnay are sourced from Casablanca Valley. Part of the wine is barrel fermented in neutral oak with wild yeasts for about eight months, and the rest in stainless steel tanks.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Nose: Floral, white stone fruit, citrus, minerality, and a hint of mint. Palate: Aromas segue onto the palate with subtle oak notes, nice acidity, lemon drops, and a touch of salinity. This is a fresh and lively wine. Alcohol: 14% SRP: $13.99 Pairing suggestions: Serve as an aperitif or pair with appetizers, seafood, grilled salmon, veggies, and pizza. Sparkling Wines Valdo Marca Oro Valdo was founded in 1926 by the Societa Anonima Vini Superiori and purchased by the Bolla Family in 1938. “Over 90 years of continuous innovation with an ongoing quest for quality and devotion to respecting the vineyards & wine-making traditions of the region has helped to secure Valdo’s position as one of the leading and most trusted Italian wineries specialized in Prosecco and sparkling wines.” (Valdo quote) Sparkling wines labeled Prosecco DOC (Denominazione d’Origins Controllata) come from nine provinces between Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia. What is considered to be the best quality Prosecco comes from the Treviso province, especially the area between Valdobbiadene and Conegliano, a hilly area that is the home of Prosecco Conegliano Valdobbiadene Superiore DOCG (Denominazione d’Origins Controllata e Garantita) The Valdo winery is located at the foothills of the “pre-alps” around Treviso in Valdobbiadene, the heart of Prosecco DOCG.with vineyards in the DOCG and DOC appellations. Valdo Marca Oro Prosecco DOC Rosé Brut The grapes for this sparkling wine are sourced from the Prosecco DOC appellation in Veneto, Italy. It is 90% Glera and 10% Pinot Noir and produced using the Charmat Method.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Nose: Lovely floral notes with pear, sweet apples, and red berries. Palate: Persistent and fine bubbles with aromas that segue onto the palate. Bright acidity and a creamy mouthfeel add to a long and refreshing finish. Alcohol: 11% SRP: $15.99 Pairing suggestions: Enjoy as an aperitif or serve with fish, pasta, salads, grilled chicken, or dessert. Valdo Marca Oro Prosecco DOC Brut The grapes for this 100% Glera sparkling wine are sourced from the Prosecco DOC appellation in Veneto, Italy. It is produced and aged using the Charmat method, followed by one month in the bottle.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Nose: Floral bouquet with green apples, white stone fruit, and hints of citrus. Palate: It has ersistent and fine bubbles with crisp fruity notes, lemon, and a touch of melon. It has excellent structure and is a fresh and lively wine! Alcohol: 11% SRP: $14.99 Pairing suggestions: Enjoy as an aperitif or serve with Asian cuisine, grilled fish, crab quiche, or turkey burgers. FIOL Prosecco DOC Rosé 2021 FIOL (pronounced FEE-yol) means “son” in Venetian dialect and “chap” in English. FIOL was founded in 2011 by Gian Luca Passi and co-founder Giovanni Ciani Bassetti. They are childhood friends who grew up surrounded by Prosecco. “Most local winemakers have been drinking sparkling wine for 50 years and need an extraordinarily strong bubble to really feel it. We wanted something gentler, more subtle, more fruity.” says Gian Luca Passi.” This rosé is made with 85% Glera and 15% Pinot Noir sourced from Prosecco DOC appellation. The Charmat method was used for production.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Nose: White flowers, red berries, and citrus.
Palate: Persistent and creamy bubbles with raspberry, strawberry, lemon, and a touch of salinity. Simple, balanced, and elegant, with persistent bubbles to the last drop! Alcohol: 11% SRP: $22 Pairing suggestions: Serve as an aperitif or enjoy with seafood, grilled fish, chicken, salads, lobster rolls, or mushroom risotto. The above wines are perfect to enjoy this summer and all year round! Pop a cork and indulge in a “just because” moment! Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] The month of April is ending with her classic “April showers” all weekend long. And we all know what May brings! I’m looking forward to May flowers, warmer weather, spending more time outdoors, and taking the kitchen outside for the grilling season.  Photo credit: Paul Herman Just because the warmer months are almost upon us does not mean one has to pack away the red wines along with mittens and boots. On the contrary, red wines are to be enjoyed year-round and are a great accompaniment to many summer dishes. So to kick off the season, I’ve rounded up a selection of six red wines that will pair beautifully with whatever you might have on the grill. The wines range from $13.99 to $25.00 and will not disappoint your palate.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Bodegas Valdemar Conde Valdemar Crianza 2018 Bodegas Valdemar Winery is located in Oyon, Alava Spain, and has a history of winemaking dating back to 1889. They have 300 hectares of vineyards throughout Rioja and are considered one of the largest estates in Rioja. Grapes for this wine are a blend of 89% Tempranillo, 7% Mazuelo, and 4% Graciano sourced from estate vineyards in Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Alta. The wine is aged in American oak barrels for 17 months.  Nose: Fragrant notes of blueberries, cherry, and baking spice. Palate: Juicy dark berries, cherry, vanilla, and earthy. Tannins and acidity are well-balanced, with dark fruit lingering on a long finish. Alcohol: 14% SRP: $19 Pairing suggestions: Cheese platter, grilled meat, tuna, veggies, pasta, stews, and pizza. Veramonte Pinot Noir 2020 Viñedos Veramonte is an organic estate located at the extreme eastern end of Chile’s Casablanca Valley. The Veramonte vineyards are in both Casablanca Valley and Colchagua Valley. This wine is made with 100% Pinot Noir organic grapes from Casablanca Valley. It is aged for eight months in natural oak.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Nose: Red berries, bing cherries, a hint of spice, and earthy. Palate: Strawberry, raspberry, and plum dance on the palate. Fresh with good acidity, silky tannins, and a long, savory finish. Alcohol: 13.5% SRP: $13 Pairing suggestions: Grilled meat and poultry, risotto, pasta, or seafood salad. Cline Eight Spur Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley 2020 This California wine is produced by Cline Family Cellars, established in 1982, a family-owned and operated winery. The grapes for this 100% Zinfandel are sourced from Dry Creek Valley in Sonoma County, one of the oldest growing areas in California. The valley holds the daytime heat, ripening grapes until sundown when cool ocean breezes whistle through the canyon, extending the growing season to increase varietal complexity. The wine is aged in 40% new French oak for 15 months.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Nose: Berries, dark cherry, plum, and baking spice with a hint of lavender. Palate: Aromas segue onto the palate with notes of raspberry, blackberry, blueberry, and vanilla. It is rich, smooth, and well-structured, with sour cherries and vanilla lingering on the finish. Alcohol: 14.5% SRP: $25 Pairing suggestions: Grilled anything! BBQ ribs, spicy cuisine, pizza, seared tuna, or roasted leg of lamb. Graffigna Glorious Collection Malbec 2020 Graffigna was established in 1870 when Santiago Graffigna left Italy and arrived in San Juan, Argentina, bringing with him his passion and wine expertise. It is considered one of the oldest wineries in San Juan. Today, Santiago’s vision and spirit are honored with each bottle produced, and care is taken to maintain the quality and character of the grapes. The grapes for this 100% Malbec are sourced from the Uco Valley in Mendoza. 70% was aged in French oak for 12 months, and 30% in concrete and stainless steel vats.  Nose: A touch of violet, plum, sour cherry, and baking spice tease the senses. Palate: Concentrated and juicy fruit, with aromas spilling onto the palate. Blackberry and plum linger on the finish, with soft tannins and nice acidity. Alcohol: 14.5% SRP: $18.99 Pairing suggestions: BBQ, grilled meat and veggies, mushroom risotto, stews, or a charcuterie board. Cantine Ermes Epicentro Nero d’Avola Riserva Sicilia DOC 2018 Cantine Ermes was founded in 1998 in the heart of Belice Valley in Sicily. It is a cooperative “born from the idea of young Italian minds.” They produce wines from Sicily, Veneto, and Puglia, with an impressive 10,592 hectares of vineyards spread across these territories, with the majority of vineyards in Sicily. This wine is 100% Nero d’Avola aged in 500-liter tonneaux for 18 months.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Nose: Lovely bouquet of dark fruit, plum, berries, and baking spice. Hints of toasted oak and minerality waft through the fruit. Palate: Aromas continue onto the palate with strawberries, cherry, clove, and pepper. Soft tannins and well-balanced with a rich blackberry jam finish. Alcohol: 14% SRP: $17 Pairing suggestions: BBQ, grilled meat and fowl, marinated lamb, pasta, stew, or mature cheese. Talosa Rosso Di Montepulciano DOC Toscana 2020 Talosa is a boutique winery with 33 hectares of vineyards in the heart of Montepulciano in Tuscany and has been owned by the Jacorossi family since 1972. Their historic aging cellar dates back to the 16th century, which is in the old town center of Montepulciano, in an underground area between two of the oldest buildings in the city, Palazzo Tarugi and Palazzo Sinatti. The brick passageways contain a series of vaults and niches where the barrels are placed. The grapes for this wine are 85% Sangiovese, Merlot and Canaiolo, 15%. It is aged in stainless steel, tonneaux, and large barrels for a minimum of three months.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Nose: Floral, strawberries, blueberries, cherries, and a hint of spice. Palate: Fresh and lively, with notes of plum and sweet cherry, a balsamic undertone, and a touch of spice on the finish. Very nice. Alcohol: 13.5% SRP: $25 Pairing suggestions: Grilled red and white meat, appetizers, seared tuna, spicy cuisine, or risotto. I hope these wines pique your interest! Below is a delicious recipe for marinated tuna steaks. It is an easy recipe to make and works using the grill, broiler, or a quick sear on the stovetop. I love it! And all of these wines will pair beautifully with it! Marinated Tuna Steaks For The Grill Courtesy of allrecipes.com  Ingredients (for four servings)
 If you try any of the above wines, please share your thoughts and pairings!
Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] Approximately seven months ago, I wrote an article about Ritual wines, a brand produced from the organic estate of Viñedos Veramonte located at the extreme eastern end of Chile’s Casablanca Valley. They produce several brands, and I’m here to give a “shout-out” to their Veramonte label. For a more in-depth exploration of the region and winery, please click on the link below. http://thewineknitter.com/the-journal/category/casablanca-valley  Veramonte vineyards in Casablanca Valley. Veramonte vineyards are located in Casablanca Valley and Colchagua Valley.  Casablanca Valley The vineyards in Casablanca Valley benefit from the cool morning fog and cloud cover in addition to the cool sea breezes of the Pacific Ocean, which alleviate the heat of the day. Soil composition is a combination of decomposed granite soil with a top layer of red volcanic clay. This soil allows the vines to go deep and absorb minerality, which reflects in the wines. These are ideal conditions for growing white varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay and cool climate red varieties like Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Syrah. Colchagua Valley The Veramonte vineyards are located in Marchigüe, a sector of the Colchagua Valley that is about 45 kilometers from the Pacific coast. It is a Mediterranean climate with a natural cooling influence from the Pacific Ocean. The vineyards here are a combination of well-drained soils with clay-loamy texture and rocky material that provide ideal conditions for growing varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Carménère.  Veramonte vineyards in Colchagua Valley. Here are three Veramonte wines that are as impressive as their SRP of $11.99!  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Veramonte Chardonnay 2019 Organic grapes for this 100% Chardonnay are sourced from Casablanca Valley. 15% of the wine is barrel fermented in neutral oak with wild yeasts for eight months, and the rest in stainless steel tanks. Aromas of floral, pear, white stone fruit and citrus segue onto the palate with subtle oak notes, lemon and a hint of salinity. This is a fresh and vibrant wine. Serve as an aperitif or pair with appetizers, seafood, grilled veggies, and pizza. Alcohol: 14% Veramonte Sauvignon Blanc 2020 Organic grapes for this 100% Sauvignon Blanc are sourced from Casablanca Valley. The fruit goes straight to the press, where the juice sits for 24 hours. It is then fermented at a low temperature in stainless steel tanks. This wine has lovely white stone fruit, green apple, and floral aromas that spill onto the palate. This is a fresh, smooth wine with vibrant acidity, grapefruit, herbal notes, and lime lingering on the finish. Serve as an aperitif or pair with ceviche, grilled fish, asian cuisine, or roasted chicken. Alcohol: 13.5% Veramonte Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 Organic grapes for this 100% Cabernet are sourced from Colchagua Valley. The wine is aged for eight months in neutral oak barrels. Notes of dark and red fruit, spice and a hint of tobacco are on the nose. The palate offers blackberry, strawberry, dark cherry, spice, and pepper. It’s a nice wine, and one can’t argue the price. Serve with grilled meat, game, hearty stews, and seared tuna. Alcohol: 14% Until next time…  Photo credit: Penny Weiss This story was originally published on Santé Magazine. We all have rituals that we perform day in and day out without batting an eye. I kick start every morning with a ritual of pouring a cup of coffee and then crawling back into bed with it to peruse the news. Rituals can be as simple as a morning run, yoga meditation, telling your child a bedtime story, or prayers over a meal. Many of our rituals go beyond ourselves and transcend to our families, religion, spiritual practices, and holidays.  Photo courtesy of Unsplash.com With Covid lurking around every corner, many life rituals and daily routines have been disrupted and are now temporarily on hold. Many of us have established new rituals and routines to take their place. Breathing is something I always took for granted until Covid brought it to my attention. And now, one of my new daily rituals is 10 minutes of deep breathing exercises to strengthen my lungs and calm my soul. For others, it might be inventing new ways to celebrate rites of passage, or writing in a journal. Since getting together online has become the “new norm”, several of my friends and colleagues have established cocktail hour rituals. Of course, one of my favorite rituals that I can continue despite Covid is pouring a glass of wine or spirits at the end of the day and doing a big exhale! So, I was most delighted when I recently received a shipment of wines named Ritual! I love the name and how fitting for this new chapter we are living in.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Ritual wines are produced from the Viñedos Veramonte organic estate. It is located in the extreme eastern end of Chile’s Casablanca Valley wine region.  Photo courtesy of Ritual Wines With respect to Chile’s other wine regions, Casablanca Valley is relatively new. The first vineyards were planted here in the 1980s during Chile’s revitalization of its viticulture industry.  Casablanca Valley wine region is about 20 miles long from east to west and is close to the Pacific Ocean. The vineyards for Ritual wine benefit from the cool morning fog and cloud cover. In addition, the cool sea breezes of the Pacific Ocean alleviate the heat of the day.  Photo courtesy of Ritual Wines Soil composition is a combination of decomposed granite soil, with a top layer of red volcanic clay. This soil allows the vines to go deep and absorb minerality, which reflects in the wines. With hot days and cold nights and a lengthier ripening period, the white grapes have more time to develop more complexity, flavor and maintain a good balance of sugar and acidity. These are ideal growing conditions for cool climate wines, and Casablanca Valley is noted for producing outstanding Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Cool climate red grapes also do very well here, such as Pinot Noir and Syrah. Fortunately, Covid has not interrupted the winery’s rituals and organic practices from the vineyard to the winemaking process. To quote from their website, “Crafting fine wine is steeped in Ritual and grounded in terroir. We endeavor in creating beautiful wines that are a reflection of this special place. Ritual is a labor of love. It connects us to the land we farm, to healthy living soil, and to the daily rituals of artisanal winemaking.”  Photo courtesy of Ritual Wines All the vineyards of the Viñedos Veramonte estate have organic certifications. Using low-impact farming methods, they make their own compost from the stems and pomace gathered during harvest season and manure from local animals to promote a balanced and self-regulated ecosystem. Cover cropping and seeding are practiced for revitalizing the soils. Sheep are used to “mow the grass” and also function as natural fertilizers.  Photo courtesy of Ritual Wines Grapes are hand-harvested in small batches, and once in the winery, only native yeasts are used to obtain a” natural balance and greater purity”. Different containers are used in the winemaking process, each one adding a unique characteristic to the wines. Oak barrels are used for structure, concrete eggs for texture, stainless steel drums for freshness, and stainless steel tanks for aromatics. Winemaker Sofia Araya produces Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Noir. These wines are aged in combinations of neutral oak, concrete eggs, and stainless steel tanks. Ritual Sauvignon Blanc 2019 30% of this wine is fermented in concrete eggs, 30% in neutral oak, and 40% in stainless steel tanks. The wine is then aged in each of its containers for eight to ten months, with each vessel contributing aromatics, flavors, and textures.  Photo credit: Penny Wess This is a fresh and aromatic wine with aromas of floral, citrus, and white stone fruit that segue onto the palate with vibrant acidity, and hints of minerality. Citrus and nectarine linger on a long finish. Drink as an aperitif or pair with seafood, light pasta, and salads. Alcohol: 13.5% SRP: $19.99 Ritual Chardonnay 2018 This wine is fermented in 20% concrete eggs, 20% new 400-liter barrels, and 60% neutral oak.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Amazing aromas of lemon curd, white stone fruit, and a touch of vanilla, spill onto the palate with a hint of oak. It is beautifully balanced with acidity and notes of salinity and minerality. This wine is fresh, lively, and elegant! Serve with cheese, light pasta, seafood, grilled fish, or chicken. Alcohol: 13.5% SRP: $20.99 Ritual Pinot Noir 2017 This wine is fermented with wild yeasts to enhance its depth, intensity, and complexity. It is aged for 11 months in French oak barrels, 20% new.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss From aroma to the palate, this wine delivers “fresh and juicy”. One is greeted with aromas of cherries, berries, and floral. The palate offers raspberry, strawberry, cherry, notes of integrated oak, and a silky smooth mouthfeel. This is a fresh, well-balanced, and expressive wine. Serve with seared tuna, pasta, fowl, and spicy Asian cuisine. Alcohol: 13.5% SRP: $20.99 In addition to the wines, I was gifted a “Rituals and Wellness” journal. Written on the cover are these words, “An Intentional Journal For Mindful Rituals & Wellness Intentions”. It is a perfect journal for an imperfect time. We are embarking on a new year that will surely bring more changes in our lives. We will find more new rituals, and hopefully, rediscover old ones again. Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] |
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