Introducing our brand new Chilean agencies
This spring we’ll be welcoming a number of new agencies into the Walker & Wodehouse portfolio, with a particular focus on Chile. The country has long been a go-to for excellent value, but we’re now seeing a growing interest in more diverse styles of Chilean wine. We’re thrilled to be offering this range of new products covering everyday drinking to something more special.
Carmen, Chile
In 1850 Christian Lanz founded Chile’s first ever winery and named it after his wife, Carmen. And since then, the winery has achieved some other industry firsts… In 1994 Carmen rediscovered Carménère, a variety long thought extinct, on its vineyards in the Maipo Valley. After hugely successful vinification its reputation spread, making it one of Chile’s flagship varieties to this day. The winery was also first to release a certified organic and sustainable wine, and was one of the first to export wines to the UK.
This pioneering attitude continues with current head winemaker Sebastián Labbé. After studying and working in New Zealand and Australia he joined Carmen in 2005. Since then, he has dedicated himself to exploring Chile’s diverse regions and to trialling different techniques to reveal the authentic expression of each variety.
Today the winery offers five distinct tiers, from the entry level Tolten and Premier 1850, which both retail at under £10.00, to their highly awarded Gold Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from an old single block in the Alto Maipo, Carneros 288, which was planted in 1957.
These wines will be available from the third week of March.
Luis Felipe Edwards, Chile
Named ‘New World Wine Producer of the Year’ in the Sommelier Wine Awards 2016, Luis Felipe Edwards has built a reputation as a dynamic and progressive producer. It is a family-owned business and largely managed by the family too, including winemaker Nicolas Bizzarri. The family own 1,600 hectares of their own vineyards in Colchagua, Leyda and Maule, providing them with a wealth of terroirs. They also have long term contracts with growers in Casablanca and Alta Maipo. All the wines are vinified in one winery by Nicolas and his team.
Rio Rica is a range of six classic varieties, which offers brilliant value together with eye catching packaging – ideally suited to regional wholesalers. The range is complemented by Favoritos, a smaller but equally value-led range.
These wines will be available from the third week of April.