As hot as it has been this summer, we can’t forget that there are parts of the world where it is much colder right now, and I’m not just talking about the North and South Poles.  The seasons in the Southern Hemisphere are the opposite of ours so towns in Australia, New Zealand, South America and Chile are all quite cold now.  The wine growing seasons in these countries have also completed for the year by now.  Their harvests start in March and continue through April while the wine harvests in the Northern Hemisphere don’t start until August.  What this means is that wines of the same vintage between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres are not the same “age.”  Southern Hemisphere wines may be said to be drunk young, but, in fact, they can be six months older than wines of the same vintage from California.


This week I’d like you to try some wines from Ventisquero that come from Chile’s Central Region where it’s in the 40’s right now.  The vineyard’s name “Ventisquero” is Spanish for glacier and takes its name from the hanging glaciers in the nearby Andes Mountains.  The mountains help to moderate the temperature to provide a climate conducive to growing a wide variety of grapes.


2006 Ventisquero ‘Queulat’ Sauvignon Blanc ~ 16.99


Complex and elegant, a mix of fruity aromas specially citrus and tropical, like grapefruit, cherimoya, pineapple, white peach, with certain mineral notes, fresh herbs and green tea.  Elegant and well-balanced structure of creamy and smooth body maintains the freshness, the fruit and vivacity that linger in the mouth.


2007 Ventisquero Reserva Pinot Noir  ~ 12.99


Deep ruby red color, with the aroma of ripe red fruits, such as cherries and strawberries, syruped figs, dry plums, comfits, almonds and flowers that mingle with soft notes of vanilla, coffee, tobacco and toffee.  Soft and delicate in the mouth, with round and elegant tannins and an ending of amaretto, almond and coffee notes.


2005 Ventisquero Reserva Cabernet  ~ 12.99


Intense and deep red color and a pleasant fruit aroma, which together with notes of wood resulting from aging in barrels, produces a very elegant reserve wine.  On the palate its softness and body make it ideal to accompany red meats and overripe cheeses.


2003 Ventisquero ‘Grey’ Carmernere ~ 29.99


Deep ruby red wine with aromas of black fruit such as blackberries, mixed in with notes of black pepper, traces of vanilla and a delicate smoky tang. It is a well-structured wine with smooth and velvety tannins, ideal for exotic food, meat on the grill, ripe cheeses and strong fish.

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