Uncorked!
- Robert Gilliland
- Oct 22, 2015
- 2 min read
Our most recent uncorked event was held on Tuesday the 13th of October and we were again amazed at the interest and turn out these events are begining to gain. We have had over 40 people come out for each of these events.
What is uncorked? It is a mix and mingle aimed at increasing conversation, help peoplle learn more about wine and also offer exclusive abilitiy to purchase wine at better than retail prices on the night of the event only. It is a great way to meet new and likeminded individuals.
In this episode of uncorked we looked at Sauvignon Blanc produced in two different countires, Chilie and France - then we looked at two red variatals produced out of Chillie. Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenere. I love looking at Carmanere from Chilie, its like looking at Malbec out of Argintina in the sense that its a forgoten "Old world"varitey that has been addopted by a "new world" country and really made to shine.
"Part of the reason I love wine is that every grape has a story. Whether it be that the grape has been native to an area for centuries (like Sangiovese in Tuscany), or found to be the love child of some other popular grapes (Cabernet Sauvignon is the illegitimate kid of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc), every berry has a legacy. I don’t like to play favorites in wine, but I do have a favorite grape story and that is the story of Carmenère." says Elizabeth Schneider of winefornormalpeople.com
Carmanere is distinctive for its colour and green pepper styled notes as well as its rather difficult nature if not correctly nurtured into life. This is a responsibility that the Chilieans must now take seriously as now around 98% of the worlds plantings are found in this beautiful south american country. You could call it 'Merlot on steriods" which is why i see so much potenial for the cabernet/ carmanere blends that we will no doubt see in the years to come.
Why am I so excited with the possibility of blends? Well the reason we blend is to make a superior wine, ie can the result be greater than the sum of its parts. Cabernet is classicly structured with good acidity and beautiful tannin structure which softens elegantly over time, its critisim can be its pallet weight and intensity. Thats where our new friend Carmanere can step up to the plate, offering an intensity and depth to the blend.
Tuedsay night I encouraged people to become thier own winemakers and try blending the two reds on show. The results? Well, you will have to ome to the next episode of Uncorked and find out.
For more info email events@driftdining.com or like our fb page www.facebook.com/driftdining for updates or join our FB invite list.
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