{"title":"Southern Chile","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn2.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0106\/1539\/0266\/files\/Southern_Chile_Banner.jpg?v=1563355008\" alt=\"Old Vine the the Itata Valley, Southern Chile\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Southern Chilean Wine Region is classed as one of the five principal wine growing zones of Chile. It encompasses the three wine-producing sub regions of: the Bío Bío Valley, the Malleco Valley and the Itata Valley. The Bío-Bío Valley marks the true transition into southern Chile, an area that was previously considered too southern for viticulture. Cold weather conditions are favourable for the production of Burgundian grape varieties, Chardonnay and especially Pinot Noir, but it is also an area suitable for other white varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling south of the Biobío River. Its soils are sandy and stony in nature, and fluvial organic deposits make it fertile and productive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMalleco, located between the Andes Mountain Range and Nahuelbuta Mountain Range, is a wine region still in its infancy and with a marginal climate, high rainfall and short growing season, it is a challenging region for grape growers. However, the crisp, fresh wines produced here from Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. are slowly beginning to attract international attention.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe first vines of the Itata Valley were planted by Spanish conquerors in 1551, thereby making this region a forerunner of winemaking in Chile. Due to its proximity to the city of Concepción - one of the main Chilean ports at the time - this valley soon became one of the largest wine suppliers, not only to the rest of the country, but also to the entire Spanish Empire in the Americas. The settlers initially brought Muscat of Alexandria and the Pais grape (also know as Listan Prieto), which were picked while passing through the Canary Islands on their way to Latin America. At the turn of the 20th Century other varieties were introduced including Cinsault and other white varieties, which have not been properly identified yet; the so-called “Corinto” variety is one of them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"pedro-parra-trane-cinsault","title":"Pedro Parra 'Trane' Cinsault 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003eBesides wine and family, Pedro Parra’s other great love is jazz music. His three single-vineyard Cinsault ‘Premier Cru’ wines are aptly named after legendary musicians: Freddie Hubbard, John Coltrane and Thelonious Monk. For these wines, Pedro identified the Itata subregion of Guarilihue. Its elevation (approximately 300 metres above sea level) and very poor soils of granite, quartz and clay, make it ideal for growing premium Cinsault. The elegant 'Trane' Cinsault comes from 70 year old vines grown on shallow granitic soil containing silt and stones. At the winery about 30% whole bunch fruit was used, with fermentation taking place in concrete tanks. Fermentation using natural yeasts took about 10 days, followed by a further 10 days of post fermentation maceration. Most of the wine was transferred to old untoasted foudres for ageing, but some was aged in concrete. After a year the wine was bottled and aged for 8 months before release. The Pedro Parra 'Trane' Cinsault is elegant and perfumed with plush red fruit and herbal characters. Juicy on the palate with soft tannins and vibrant acidity. [#intro]An elegant and juicy 'premier cru' Cinsault with soft tannins \u0026amp; vibrant acidity...[\/intro]\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Pedro Parra","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55191779541373,"sku":"A22PEDROPARRATRANE-1","price":50.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0106\/1539\/0266\/files\/TraneBt.jpg?v=1737659744"},{"product_id":"morande-el-cabernet-de-ranquil-cabernet-sauvignon","title":"Morandé El Cabernet de Ránquil Cabernet Sauvignon 2020","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe grapes for El Cabernet de Ránquil come from the historic La Capilla vineyard, over 130 years old and located in the Ránquil area, a part of the Secano Costero in Chile's Itata Valley. These old Cabernet Sauvignon vines were originally head-trained at an extremely low density (2,100 plants\/ha), and today remain in a nearly free-standing trellis system, supported only by the minimal wires needed to hold the shoots. The granite soils, rich in quartz, offer excellent water retention and balanced drainage - making this small 1.96 hectare vineyard a true natural gem. It brings together conditions that are almost impossible to replicate in Chile and gives the wine a completely new profile for Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon. El Cabernet de Ránquil represents the culmination of a century of care and dedication by a family that has maintained this vineyard through generations, combined with the pioneering spirit and innovative vision of Viña Morandé. El Cabernet de Ránquil 2020 was crafted with deep respect for the land and the traditional winemaking practices of the Chilean countryside, using a thoughtful combination of both ancient and modern techniques. Aged for 16 months in French oak barrels and an additional two years in bottle, only 2,000 bottles of this wine are available worldwide. [#intro]A profound expression of ancient Itata vines, offering savory granitic minerality \u0026amp; concentrated dark heritage fruit...[\/intro]\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Morandé","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57725243392381,"sku":"A20MORANDEELCABERNET","price":40.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0106\/1539\/0266\/files\/ElCabernetdeRanquilBT.jpg?v=1769010246"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0106\/1539\/0266\/collections\/Southern_Chile_Image.jpg?v=1563355227","url":"https:\/\/hic.wine\/collections\/southern-chile\/southern-chile.oembed","provider":"Hic!","version":"1.0","type":"link"}