Chilean Wine

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Chile has been growing wine for centuries, with Vitis Vinifera vines having been first brought to the country during the 1500s by Spanish conquistadors who settled here during the colonisation of the region. However, it was not until the 1800s that French wine varieties like Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Franc and Carmenere were introduced to Chile.

During the 1980s, there was a renaissance in Chilean wine production when fermentation tanks of stainless steel were introduced as well as oak barrels which began to be used for the aging process. This led to a huge improvement in the quality of the local wine produced, and the export trade grew dramatically. In 1995 there were only 12 wineries in Chile, however just a decade later the numbers had grown to more than 70, showing the level of interest in buying Chilean wines.

During the later half of the 20^th century, many French people moved to Chile and this led to an expansion in the Chilean wine knowledge. Today, Chile is the world’s 5^th biggest wine exporter and the 7^th biggest producer of fine wines thanks to the climate which has often been described as being partway between that found in California and that of France.

Some of the region’s most commonly found grape varieties include Merlot, Carmenere and Cabernet Sauvignon, although there are more than 20 different varieties of grape grown here and many of the nation’s wineries are starting to experiment with the varieties they grow and use. Cabernet Sauvignon is the country’s single most popular grape variety and Chilean producers have their own distinct growing style, which results in a wine that is easy to drink, with its soft tannins and mint, olive, smoke and blackcurrant overtones. Sparkling wines are also made here, however they are not yet well established.

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Red 14

Vina San Pedro Altair Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 75cl £62.81

Deep ruby red with a nose of intense aromas of fresh red fruit like cherries, intermingled with a subtle note of oak that is perfectly integrated in the wine Good acidity balances this wine with a concentrated palate that achieves a good balance between the alcohol level, body and tannins Smooth texture and a long finish

White 13.5

Vina Leyda Sauvignon Blanc Reserva 2025 75cl £12.50

Intense and fruity on the nose with citrus aromas of grapefruit and mandarin Bright and fresh on the palate with citrus and apple character Light body and a lingering grapefruit aftertaste

Red 13

Vina Tarapaca Varietal Cabernet Sauvignon 2025 75cl £10.79

Appearance: Ruby red color with purple nuances Nose: High intensity on red and dark fruit notes, with toasted hints of vainilla and coffee Palate: Rich dark fruit flavors with a balanced acity that blends perfectly with rounded tannins

Red 13

De Martino Cuvee 2022 75cl £116.72

One sniff, and you re hooked Drawn in by beguiling hints of the spice cabinet, a woodland walk, sesame oil with soy sauce and sun-dried seaweed at the tide line, there s no way back You take a sip, and are struck by how downright deliciously drinkable it is—all subtlety, mellowness, harmony and balance, with understated concentration and exquisite integration of everything Crafting wine of this calibre that has the wherewithal to cellar for decades, and yet is 100% ready to enjoy young is a remarkable achievement The culmination of 85 years of experimentation, Cuvee is composed of the finest fruit from the Vinedo Santa Ines, owned by the family since 1934 It is an old, massal selection of Cabernet Sauvignon, complemented by a small proportion of Malbec and Petit Verdot It is the epitome of the De Martino style As Sebastian says, We don t think you need to show your best with power Finesse and gentleness, instead

Rose 12.5

Vina Tarapaca Varietal Rose 2025 75cl £9.91

Appearance: Bright and delicate pink colorured rose Nose: Fresh strawberry and yellow peach notes Palate: Hightened acidity with a pleasant cherry aftertaste

White 12.5

Lanya Sauvignon Blanc 2024 75cl £9.95

"Pale lemon with green hues, the nose is fresh and lemony with herbaceous notes Elegant and well balanced with tropical notes and grapefruit on the palate Juicy and fresh with a soft finish"

Red 13.5

De Martino Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2025 75cl £11.89

White 13.5

Vina Leyda Coastal Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2025 75cl £15.70

Ripe gooseberry and citrus aromas such as grapefruit combine with fresh green lime and hints of green peppers, peas shoots and asparagus on the nose On the palate this wine is fully concentrated and fresh, with mineral tones at the front, a rich mid palate and a well balanced grapefruit and lime character on the finish

White 13.5

De Martino 'Tres Volcanes' Chardonnay, Malleco 2019 75cl £29.63

This gorgeous Chardonnay gives off irresistible scents of mellow, dusky peach and tropical fruit It shows exceptional balance, with satisfying richness and roundness, while retaining a distinctive 'mineral' vein running through the middle Now softened with maturity, it presents a bevelled, rounded, comfortably mellow personality - understated, yet utterly brilliant This is made from the fruit of a single vineyard site at Traiguen in the Malleco Valley, around 400 miles south of Santiago, and near the southerly limit of viticulture in Chile The landscape is dominated by snow-capped volcanoes (hence the name), and growing conditions are challenging in this marginal climate The challenge is worth it, because marginal climates can produce some of the world's most thrilling wines, of which this is one

White 12.5

De Martino Viejas Tinajas Muscat 2022 75cl £26.84

This wine is aromatic and intense with great volume in the mouth and achieves a balance between the fresh acidity and the texture contributed by 6 months maceration with the skins Vinification in amphorae contributes rich texture to the palate and results in a wine with tension, volume and smoothness Ageing potential of around 10 years

Red 13

De Martino Legado Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 75cl £15.97

Vibrant and fresh fresh, with lots of red fruit and cassis accompanied by notes of tobacco leaf, cedar and violets

White 13

De Martino Legado Chardonnay 2025 75cl £16.10

This intense Chardonnay has an enlivening, eye-popping brightness, and appetising essences of tangy peach and lemon zest greet the nose, closely followed by richer notes of cream, honey and toast Deliciously vibrant, it has piquant, mouthwatering acidity in electrifying tension with the generous, ripe fruit Its character reflects the Limari Valley s intense sunlight, limestone soils and climate cooled by proximity to the frigid Pacific Lean in texture yet with superb length, this is a thrilling wine

Red 13

Vina Leyda Coastal Vineyards Las Brisas Pinot Noir, Vina Ley 2024 75cl £17.05

Pinot Noir Las Brisas Vineyard has a clean and direct fruity nose with red cherries, hints of raspberries and a subtle wild herb note Delicate and refined on the palate Juicy with ripe flavours of berries combined with mineral notes and a lively acidity

Red 13.5

Villard Fine Wines Ltd Grand Vin Pinot Noir 2024 75cl £25.22

White 13.6

Villard Fine Wines Ltd Grand Vin Chardonnay 2024 75cl £23.57

Red 14.5

San Pedro Kankana Syrah 2022 75cl £63.29

This exceptional Syrah is from a single selected site in Chile's northernmost winemaking frontier, the exceptionally sunny yet unexpectedly cool-climate Elqui Valley The aromas are distinctively Elqui - explosively perfumed and spicy, with blueberries, black pepper and a hint of capsicum On the palate, it has extraordinarily sophisticated, deep, velvety texture, with super-fine yet mouthfilling tannins It's so sumptuous, and the finish lasts for minutes Sensational Syrah!