Wines from Chile

Festive lights adorn the streets of towns and cities, creating a magical feeling that finds its truest reflection in the bright eyes and smiles of children. Whether we like it or not, we're gradually seized by the Christmas spirit, trying to forget the countless concerns that trouble our adult lives.

This year I would like to turn my holiday consumption into a show of solidarity and help as many people as possible. At the same time, I still want to surprise my guests, whom I've spoiled into expecting exquisite delicacies and even better wines that provide interesting topics for dinner conversation.

I'll get the ingredients for my recipes from local suppliers. As for the wines, there is no doubt in my mind: the SANTA DIGNA range from MIGUEL TORRES CHILE.

I can already imagine the explaining I'll have to do when my friends notice that I've paired our entire “New Year's Day Lentil Dinner” (a personal tradition that has become a classic among our group of friends) with Chilean wines. They are staunch advocates of locally sourced food so...how will they react to wines that have traveled 10,000 kilometers to reach our table?

This will be the perfect opportunity to explain how fair trade works and why TORRES made the effort to officially certify its most popular wine range produced in the winegrowing idyll of Chile.

The menu and the wines. Recommendations:

Appetizers

I like starting off with sparkling wine, and ESTELADO makes for a perfect choice. It is a surprising sparkling wine made according to the traditional method (like champagne or cava), but using a historic grape known as País, the first variety planted in the Andean country in 1547.

Fish and Seafood

I'm still undecided—I can either opt for the citrus freshness of SANTA DIGNA SAUVIGNON BLANC or the more tropical and white fruit notes of the CHARDONNAY.

Neither of the two has been barrel aged so they are fresher and preserve varietal notes that also pair well with goat or soft washed rind cheeses, respectively, or a crisp salad, which is always a light welcome relief after the holiday feasts.

Meat

A smooth red like SANTA DIGNA MERLOT goes very nicely with turkey, capon or poulard, but the best choice for our traditional prune-based stuffing is definitely SANTA DIGNA CARMENÈRE, a variety that also has something to celebrate. This past November, we celebrated the 20th anniversary of the “rediscovery” of this pre-phylloxera Bordeaux variety, which arrived in Chile during the second half of the 19th century and was found growing amid Merlot vines. Named the country's flagship grape, the fruity and floral notes of the variety, along with its incredible story, make for delightful post-dinner conversations.

Lovers of stronger wines with powerful tannins, but displaying the characteristics imparted by Chile's climate and mountainous terrain, will find SANTA DIGNA CABERNET SAUVIGNON a perfect match for red meat like ox, lamb or baby goat.

As you can see, SANTA DIGNA offers an entire range of quality wines at a more than reasonable price. Plus, every purchase helps an entire community carry out socially oriented development projects in areas such as street lighting, tuition assistance, school materials, bicycles for better transportation, even equipment for small local wineries. Under the supervision of the IMO, a Swiss organization, a local committee decides which projects to invest in.

http://migueltorres.cl/rse.php

As you can see, the SANTA DIGNA range by MIGUEL TORRES CHILE makes it easy to enjoy great wines this holiday season with the added satisfaction of knowing that you are helping, even if only a little, to make this world a better place.

Eat well and be merry!

Sergi Castro