Concha y Toro

Concha y Toro is one of Latin America`s major wine producers and exports to most countries thoughout the world. It blends wine-making heritage with innovation to yield top quality wines. The immense variety of climate and soils across its estates have given the company the ability to offer a wide variety of top class wines. This year they entered into a commercial agreement with Manchester United for joint promotion of their respective brands. More recently this association led to a visit by the President of Chile, Sebastian Pinera, to Old Trafford and an exchange of gifts.

The Concha y Toro vineyard is situated just 25 km. south of Santiago, in impressive well set out premises. The Pirque Tourist Wine Centre is probably one of the most visited tourist attractions in South America.

The business was actually founded in 1883 when Don Melchor Concha y Toro brought some cuttings from a French vineyard and planted them on land inherited from his wife`s family. The family also had the vision to enlist the help of French winemakers in the early years to start the successful heritage which has since followed.

The Pirque Casona (exterior facade).

The wonderful park and grounds

The picturesque lake in the park

The centrepiece of the tour is a visit to the cellar of the devil - Casillero del Diablo. It is told that Don Melchor was wanting to keep some his special wines in a cellar but found that someone was stealing them. He decided to put out a rumour that the cellar was inhabited by the Devil himself. It worked, the wines were left untouched and a legend was born which yielded a dynasty of great wines.

The knowledgeable wine tasting staff - pay attention, and you could learn a lot!

Sample wine tasting board and typical wines. The wine glasses are for sale - don`t miss the opportunity - they are excellent drinking vessels!

The wine tasting bench and sample wines and resources.

Jars with the full selection of examples of aromas found in wines. See table below of Chilean wine characteristics.

The well-stocked wine shop!

A section of the barrel ageing wine stores.

Many of the barrels are American oak.

Included in the tastings are marvellous Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Carmenere which has a lovely mixture of gooseberry, chocolate and coffee flavours, and has been particulary successful in Chile.

The extensive vineyards against stunning scenery in the Maipo valley.

A memorable visit to one of the world's great wine makers.

Concha y Toro have built up many vineyards throughout Chile including Viña Palo Alto and Maipo. It also has a joint venture with Baron Philippe de Rochschild called Almaviva.

In 1993 it established Cono Sur to market South American wines to the world.

CHILEAN WINE VARIETIES CHARACTERISTICS

Los aromas que generalemente se encuentran en:	The general aromas that are found in:

Sauvignon Blanc Citricos, minerales y herbaceos	Sauvignon Blanc Citric, mineral and herbal

Chardonnay Mangos, duraznos maduros y frutas tropicales	Chardonnay Mangoes, ripe peach and tropical fruit

Merlot Cerezas maduras, ciruelas y aromas floral	Merlot Ripe cherries, plums and floral aromas

Carmenere Grosellas, chocolate, café, pimenton rojo aromas especiados	Carmenere Gooseberries, chocolate, coffee, red prapika and spice aromas

Syrah Aromas de carne fresca, humo y zarzamora	Syrah Fresh flesh, smoked aromas and blackberries

Cabernet Sauvignon Cassis, frutos negros y cuero	Cabernet Sauvignon Blackcurrant, other dark fruits and leather

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