Category Archives: South America

Spirito di Vino: Viña Vik, Chile

Article first published in Spirito di Vino Asia Issue #29. Driving through the winding valleys of Millahue, two hours south of Chile’s capital city Santiago, you will find quite possibly the most luxurious wine tourism offering from Chile to date. Here in a valley framed by the Andes Mountains and the Coastal Ranges, the PacificContinue reading “Spirito di Vino: Viña Vik, Chile”

Valparaiso: Chile’s Little San Francisco

Take a short trip from the hustle and bustle of Santiago, Chile’s capital city and head towards the coast where you will find the city’s bohemian sister. In a delightful counterpoint to Santiago’s tradition, extroverted Valparaiso offers an altogether alternative experience. The gregarious character of this coastal city is brilliantly displayed in the winding lanewaysContinue reading “Valparaiso: Chile’s Little San Francisco”

Wine Times Hong Kong: Argentina’s signature grape

Article first published Wine Times Hong Kong, February 3 2017. After two weeks in Chile my study trip continued over the Andes in Mendoza, Argentina, where I visited Altos Las Hormigas and Familia Zuccardi. What was immediately apparent upon entering Argentina was the vast difference in infrastructure between Chile and Argentina and how lengthy periodsContinue reading “Wine Times Hong Kong: Argentina’s signature grape”

The Drinks Business: Itata Valley, Chile

Edited and republished for The Drinks Business, 16 December 2016. The Itata Valley in the Bio Bio region has for many years been somewhat of an afterthought when it comes to the wine regions of Chile. At times occupying no more than a few sentences in many texts on Chilean wine production this is atContinue reading “The Drinks Business: Itata Valley, Chile”

The Drinks Business: Maria Luz Marín, Chile

Published The Drinks Business, 25 February 2016. Viña Casa Marín Lo Abarca. Image: Viña Casa Marín During a recent visit to Australia, Maria Luz Marín of Viña Casa Marín sat down with me in Melbourne for a chat before a tasting of her wines, hosted by South American wine specialists Untapped Fine Wines. Looking backContinue reading “The Drinks Business: Maria Luz Marín, Chile”

The Drinks Business: A seminar with Pedro Parra

Published The Drinks Business 12 November 2015. (Image credit: Pedro Parra Chile) The role of soil in relation to different characteristics present in wine together with the use of the word minerality as a wine descriptor are topics of much discussion in the wine industry. Articles such as the recent Drinks Business review of a study negating soil based mineralityContinue reading “The Drinks Business: A seminar with Pedro Parra”