Chile
-
Montgras De Vine Reserva Carménère
Montgras De Vine Reserva Carménère comes from Chile’s Colchagua Valley and is made with 100% Carménère grapes, sitting at 13% abv. This 2023 vintage opens with smoky and cherry aromas, then moves into black fruit flavours with a medium to full-bodied feel. It is smooth yet light, very easy drinking, with low tannins and a dry to off-dry character. The finish brings a subtle coffee edge, which adds a nice little twist. It seemed even more smoky the day after opening. Great quality for the price, usually £9.75 from Waitrose, but on offer for £7.75 as I wrote this.
-
Silbador Carménère
Silbador Carménère by Emiliana is produced in Chile with an approach rooted firmly in organic farming and ecological balance. Named after the Silbador, an insect-eating bird that roams their vineyards, this wine owes part of its existence to a natural cycle where birds, insects and animals work in harmony. Without the need for pesticides, Emiliana’s land flourishes. Hens, geese and alpacas roam freely between the vines, while flowers sown between the rows draw in beneficial insects that keep vine-damaging pests in check. The result is a living, breathing vineyard buzzing with biodiversity. Made entirely from Carménère grapes, this 2023 vintage…
-
Undurraga Candelabro Itata Reserva Cinsault
This was an affordable pick I first discovered at The Wine Society’s Autumn press tasting and felt drawn to revisit. It’s named after the Candelabro cactus, a striking plant found in the protected Natural Monument Quebrada de Cardones, in Chile. Viña Undurraga support this conservation area through this wine. The wine comes from the Itata Valley, deep in the south of Chile, a region known for its dry-farmed old bush vines. These are unirrigated plantings of 100% Cinsault, rooted since the 1950s and 60s in the rugged terrain of Itata. There’s no oak involved in its making, allowing the fruit…
-
Valle del Bio Bio Chilean Pinot Noir
This is a new vintage of one of my highlights of 2025. I first came across the 2023 release at the Sainsbury’s Spring Summer Press Tasting and later explored it in more depth at home. It also featured in my Pinot Noir retrospection. The 2024 vintage, now with an updated front label, received recognition at both the IWC and IWSC 2025 competitions, so I was keen to try it. As with the earlier vintage, the wine is made by Diego Covarrubias of Viña Indómita, a respected figure in Chilean winemaking and regularly praised by critic James Suckling. At first, I…
-
Marques de Casa Concha Carménère
I first discovered this wine at the Tesco Autumn Winter Press tasting and felt compelled to revisit it. Made by Viña Concha y Toro, one of Chile’s most storied and influential wineries, it carries a long heritage dating back to 1883 when Don Melchor de Concha y Toro and his wife Emiliana Subercaseaux established the estate. The ‘Casa Concha’ label was introduced in 1976 to showcase the winery’s premium offerings. The grapes, 90% Carmenère, 5% each of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, are grown in the Cachapoal Valley, with fruit sourced specifically from the vineyards of Peumo. The wine spends around…
-
Leyda Pinot Noir Rosé
This Pinot Noir rosé from Chile is made by the renowned Chilean winery Viña Leyda. It comes from Chile’s Valle de Leyda in the San Antonio Valley, part of the Aconcagua region. Viña Leyda is widely recognised and is the most awarded coastal winery in Chile. Its reputation is further bolstered by the achievements of its team, with viticulturist Tomas Rivera being named Best of the Year in Tim Atkin’s 2022 Chile report, two years after Viviana Navarette was selected as his Best Winemaker. This 2023 vintage sits at 12.5% ABV and is made entirely from Pinot Noir. The grapes…
-
Co-op Irresistible Cabernet Sauvignon
I’m reviewing the 2023 vintage of Co-op Irresistible Cabernet Sauvignon as part of my awards25 series. This particular vintage won a silver medal at the 2024 International Wine Challenge (IWC), so I was naturally keen to try it. It’s produced by Viña Indómita in Chile’s Maipo Valley, with winemaking led by Diego Covarrubias. This is a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, aged for 10 months in French oak and comes in at 14% ABV. It’s worth highlighting from the outset that this is the 2023 vintage I’m discussing, the one that took the IWC silver. The 2022 is still available in some…
-
Co-op Irresistible 30° Casablanca Valley Pinot Noir
I tasted this Pinot Noir as part of my awards25 series and it’s already made a strong impression, with a Gold at the IWC and a Bronze at the IWSC. It also previously won a Silver in the Pinot Noir Masters. The name 30° refers to its Chilean roots, highlighting the 30 degrees south latitude where the Casablanca Valley is located, produced by Viña Indómita. Viña Indómita is a prominent Chilean winery situated in a region known for its cool-climate wines and proximity to the Pacific Ocean. The estate vineyards benefit from coastal breezes and morning fog, which help to…
-
Taste the Difference Bio Bio Chilean Pinot Noir
This was a real star from Sainsbury’s Spring Summer 2025 press tasting and I knew I had to revisit it properly on its own. Sourced from the Bio Bio Valley in Chile, this wine is made by Diego Covarrubias of Viña Indómita, a respected name in Chilean winemaking and a producer often praised by critic James Suckling. This Pinot Noir, from the 2023 vintage, has been aged for six months in French oak and comes in at 13.5% ABV. Aromatically, it opens with a savoury profile balanced by a huge burst of cherry, setting the tone for a dry yet…
-
Mayu Gran Reserva Single Vineyard Pinot Noir
I was impressed by this wine at a Majestic press tasting in Autumn 2024. I bought a bottle not long after but it’s taken me some time to get round to opening it. It’s from the Elqui Valley in Chile, where Mayu has been producing wine since 2005. The Mayu name comes from an ancient Inca word for the Milky Way. This particular bottle is from the 2022 vintage and sits at 14% ABV. Half of the wine spends ten months in French oak, which shows in the final character of the wine. On the Majestic site, opinions are a…
-
Parcel Series ‘No.77’ Chilean Red Blend
Parcel Series wines come from top-class wineries that quietly sell a limited quantity to Majestic at a fraction of their usual price to clear some space in their cellars, making this a rare opportunity to buy. This particular wine comes from the Viña Vik vineyard, set in the foothills of the Andes mountains. The vineyard was founded in 2006 by the Norwegian Alexander Vik and his wife Carrie Vik. Their top wine, VIK, a more Bordeaux style wine, not this bottling, has been awarded a perfect 100 points by the renowned critic James Suckling and the estate is widely recognised…
-
The Traitor Red Blend
As I write this, a new season of the hugely popular show The Traitors is captivating audiences on UK TV. Possibly by coincidence, Majestic has introduced a new Chilean own-label wine range intriguingly titled The Traitor, complete with its own fascinating backstory: The legend of the Añañuca flower tells of a young indigenous woman from Monte Rey who falls in love with a miner, rejecting the advances of other men. The miner, consumed by a dream revealing the location of a treasure-filled mine, abandons her without hesitation and never returns. Heartbroken, Añañuca eventually dies. The day after her burial, the…
-
Cono Sur 20 Barrels Pinot Noir
Coming from the coastal San Antonio region in Chile, Cono Sur 20 Barrels Pinot Noir is made using traditional Burgundy vinification methods. This wine is aged in a mix of foudres and partially new oak barrels, adding depth and complexity to its character. This 2021 vintage has earned considerable acclaim, receiving 93 points from Tim Atkin, a Silver Medal at the International Wine Challenge (IWC) and 92 points from the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC). Notably, it is now part of Tesco’s new premium wine selection, previously accessible only through independent wine merchants. My first encounter with it was…
-
Errazuriz Max Carménère
The Errazuriz Max Carménère is a wine that honours its heritage, named after the founder Maximiano Errázuriz, and made from the challenging yet rewarding 2022 season, one of the driest in the last century. This resulted in a more concentrated wine, rich in both colour and flavour, which is immediately noticeable in its vibrant deep violet hue. The blend is predominantly Carmenère (85.5%), with Syrah (10.7%) and Petit Verdot (3.8%) adding further complexity. Aged for 12 months in a combination of new and old French oak barrels, the wine offers a balance between fruit and oak. There are aromas of…
-
Caliterra Tributo ‘Single Vineyard’ Carmenère
Caliterra Tributo ‘Single Vineyard’ Carmenère 2020 is a wine that caught my attention during a Hatch Mansfield tasting, and it has been a pleasure to explore it further following subsequent purchase. Produced by Caliterra Winery, a brand owned by the Mondavi/Errazuriz partnership, this wine is a fusion of modern winemaking techniques with Chile’s rich heritage. This 2020 vintage, 13.5% ABV, from the Colchagua Valley is a blend of 90% Carmenère, 8% Shiraz, and 2% Malbec, made by winemaker Rodrigo Zamorano. The grapes are handpicked and fermented using natural yeasts, resulting in a wine that is both authentic and expressive. On…
-
Diablo Deep Carmenere
Diablo Deep Carmenere is a new wine from Chile’s Rapel Valley and as a big fan of Carmenere, I was tempted enough to give it a try, especially since their Diablo Black Cabernet Sauvignon is among my picks. However, I’ve always found Diablo Red too sweet, so I approached this one with a sense of intrigue. At 13.5% ABV, this 2023 vintage pours a deep purplish-red. On the nose, there’s a hint of familiarity with Diablo Black, with a leather-like aroma that perhaps suggests a shared winemaking technique. However, this is quickly overtaken by a strong caramel scent, which is…
-
Two Pinot Noir
On the eve of Pinot Noir Day, we had two bottles of Pinot Noir waiting to be tasted, perfect timing for a mini tasting session. Three of us gathered, each with expectations of a light wine experience, especially given the wine variety. We decided to put them to the test not just by themselves but also with food, including pasta and strong-flavoured salads, to see how they might change. Villa Maria Private Bin Pinot Noir 2022, New ZealandThis wine has a pretty colour that catches the light, resembling cranberry juice. The aroma is delicate, with hints of rosehips and perhaps…
-
Tu Yo Tres Cabernet Franc
The Tu Yo Tres Cabernet Franc 2022 is a result of the expertise and passion of winemaker Carlos Torres Silva. With over four decades of experience, Silva, a former key figure at Concha y Toro, has truly outdone himself with this Chilean gem. From the sun-drenched vineyards of the Curico Valley, nestled along the picturesque Rio Claro river, this wine is a product of a challenging yet rewarding year. The 2022 harvest, shaped by drought and soaring temperatures, resulted in a lower yield. However, this scarcity has heightened the quality of the wine, surpassing its predecessors in depth and character.…
-
New Marketing Campaign for Diablo Brand
Drinks Retailing has recently revealed that Concha y Toro, the large Chilean wine producer, is rolling out a fresh marketing campaign for its Diablo wine brand. The brand, which has seen a significant popularity, is now estimated to be worth a large £15 million in retail sales. One of the highlights of this campaign is the ‘House of Diablo’ event, scheduled for November 9, 2023. This immersive experience will captivate attendees with a screening of the new film, ‘The Exorcist: Believer’. Consumers have the chance to win tickets to the event through on-pack promotions available with the wine. The marketing…
-
Diablo Crystal Sauvignon Blanc
When it comes to Chilean wines, Concha Y Toro is a mass producer that delivers wines that are both accessible and enjoyable. With a commendable score of 3.9 on Vivino and a ranking as the #2 top Chilean Sauvignon Blanc in the UK, expectations were high. As someone who enjoys the robust flavours of the sister wine, Diablo Black Cabernet Sauvignon, and the crispness of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, I was intrigued to see how this particular bottle would measure up. The initial nose promised a tropical adventure, with notes of passion fruit leading the way. However, upon tasting, the…
Pick Lists
Majestic | The Wine Society | Tesco | Waitrose | Sainsbury’s | Morrisons | Co-op | Asda | Aldi | Lidl | £7 and Under | Over £20
Did You Know?
Nearly a third (32%) of UK consumers say they have already used AI for alcoholic drinks advice. More
Among socially active wine buyers, 37% have bought a wine recommended online. More
In 2026, 72% of consumers now think wine knowledge is essential to appreciation, up 20 percentage points on 2025. More
Rías Baixas wines reached more than 107 countries in 2025 and exports represented 31 per cent of the denomination’s total sales. More
Light Strike Can Cause Wine Degradation in Just One Day. More
People actively adjust their wine choices depending on who might see them. More
In the UK, 73% of Alcohol is Bought From Retail Rather Than Hospitality. More
UK wine production reached 124,377 hectolitres that year, meaning the UK accounted for roughly 0.05 per cent of world output. More
For Crémant, grapes must be harvested by hand and the wines must undergo at least nine months’ ageing before release. More
In 2024, the UK was the second-largest export market for Champagne globally, after the United States. More
Local UK bottling of wine represents about 40% of imported wine. More
Around 1% of people, typically severe asthmatics, have a sulphite sensitivity. More
A large 80% of Australian wine arrives in the UK in bulk. More
Only about 0.02% of Australia’s landmass is dedicated to vineyards. More
In 2024, New Zealand produced only 1% of the World’s wine. More
In 2024, the US imported 37% of World production of Pinot Grigio and the UK was is in second place at 27%. More
In 2024, the UK was South Africa’s largest export market, with 40% of total exports. More
In 2024, the United Kingdom imported 22.3 million bottles of Champagne, a decline of 12.7% compared to the previous year. More
Larger Champagne producers source grapes from as many as 80 different vineyards throughout Champagne. More
Champagne houses and growers collectively produce around 300 million bottles annually. More
In 2025, the Champagne region was home to about 2,124 Champagne houses and approximately 19,000 growers. More
Provence is one of the leaders in the conversion to organic viticulture, with 61% of vineyards certified. More
8% of the South Africa’s grape production is Fairtrade-certified. More
Up to 80% of wine aroma compounds come from grape skins. More
Glycerol is the third-largest component of most dry wines after water and alcohol which is why they so often feel ‘smooth’ or ‘silky’ in the mouth. More
Humans are more than 400 times more sensitive to bitter than sweet. More
Humans can detect the earthy molecule geosmin at about 100 parts per trillion and camels are so sensitive to it they can locate damp ground from roughly 50 miles away. More
During the phylloxera crisis of the nineteenth century, 90% of Europe’s vineyards were destroyed. More
In 2025, for La Vieille Ferme, also known as “The Chicken Wine”, sales surged by 49.4% to £110.8 million. More
In 2025, in the UK, Yellow Tail held the top position with sales, marking a 9.8% increase over the previous year. More
In 2024, the UK was the second-largest wine importer in volume and value. More
In 2024, the UK was the fifth-largest wine-consuming country globally. More
In 2025, global wine consumption continued its downward trend, estimated at 214.2 million hectolitres, the lowest since 1961. More
In 2025, online alcohol sales had a 20% increase in value over five years. More
In 2025, the number of UK vineyards rose to 1,104 and wineries to 238, with land under vine expanding to 4,841 hectares, a 510% increase since 2005. More
Moët Hennessy alone commands nearly 46.66% of the Champagne market, with the top three producers together holding about 61%, and the top five controlling over 72%. More
In 2024, the Champagne market was worth roughly €3.92 billion. More
In the marketing year 2023/24, white wine accounted for roughly 55% of Spain’s output, whereas red and rosé together made up about 45%. More
In the UK, 92% of wine is consumed within 48hrs of purchase. More
The majority of wines, 95%, use commercial rather than wild yeast. More
Between 0.5 and 10 litres of water, per litre of wine, are needed for cleaning during winemaking. More
Machine harvesting can achieve up to 100 tons of fruit per day vs 1 ton for a human. More
In Germany, 2025 was the smallest wine vintage since 2010. More
The majority of vineyards, 90% in 2019, are farmed with heavy chemical interventions. Only 6% are organic. More
90% of low and coastal areas in south Europe and California will no longer be able to produce good wine by the end of the century. More
IMAGE WALL
Tools
Recent
Tags
25% Off Wine Aldi Amarone Argentina Articles Asda Australia Award Awards25 Bibendum Bizarre Blog Books Bordeaux Bulgaria Bulk Bottling Cabernet Sauvignon Carménère Cava Champagne Chardonnay Chile Climate Change Coop Crémant Decanter Duty English Wine EPR Fairtrade Food France Furmint Germany Glossary Greece Health Hungary Italy IWSC Jeroboams Laithwaites Legislation Liberty Wines Lidl Low Alcohol M&S Majestic Malbec Merch Merlot Morrisons Natural News New Zealand Non-Alcoholic Ocado Old Vine Organic Past Tastings Pick List Pinotage Pinot Noir Port Portugal Primitivo Prosecco Regulations Reviews Ribera del Duero Riesling Rioja Ripasso Rose Sainsbury's Saperavi Sauvignon Blanc Shiraz Sicily South Africa Spain Sparkling Supermarkets Sustainable Tax Terroir Tesco The Wine Society Unrepresented USA Valpolicella Virgin Wines Waitrose Wanderlust Welsh Wine What to Buy Wine Art WineGB WIne Glasses Zinfandel