I have always enjoyed a glass of wine with a good meal, and as I have grown older (I like to say have matured), I have found that wines are a wonderful addition to meals and social gatherings. I am fond of bold, earthy red wines (vinos tintos) like a good oaky style of wines, like a Cabernet Sauvignon and often choose this over any other style or type, irrespective of the food being served. This can come at the chagrin of Chardonnay lovers with fresh fish (pescado fresco) or the snickers of Merlot toasters with a light meat dishes. Yet, I enjoy a flavor (el sabor) of wine that is uniquely sturdy and flavorful, regardless of the food being served, something bold and structured, much like my solid wooden furniture (mis muebles de madera) at home.
Yet, part of my education in Chile has been to increase my knowledge (mi conocimiento) of all things that relate to my education, including my knowledge of social situations and I think (pienso) that includes an increased understanding of wines. This understanding and education is to learn how best to suit wines with social occasions that also include food. And what better place (que lugar mejor) to learn these things than in Chile, where the grapes are beautiful and full and the growing season is practically year round (todo el ano).
The region outside of Santiago has some of the best (los mejores) wines in the world, and wine is one of the top three expert products in the nation, the others 2 being fruits and vegetables and copper. Traveling north or south (al norte o al sur) outside of Santiago, you can encounter a number of wine areas and vineyards, including the valleys of Casablanca to the north and Santa Cruz to the South. Traveling north out of Santiago, on the way to Viña del Mar (literally Seaside Winery), you can travel to a large number of wineries. When our friends Sunay and Tia recently visited us, we decided (decidimos) to do some investigative reporting and sampling along the way.
In the Casablanca Valley, there are a number of vineyards to visit and we made stops at Veramonte, Viñamar and Morandé. Sunay and Tia, being fellow wine aficionados, also have great knowledge of the vine and we enjoyed a range of tastes from whites to reds, from Chardonnay to Merlot to Cabernet and ultimately to the new favorite (el favorito Nuevo) from Chile, Carmerere. These wines were incredibly flavorful and affordable and livened up the conversation, not only about the wines themselves, but also about the times in our friendship past, present and future (pasado, presente y futuro).
Wine in Chile is meant to be enjoyed, to enhance the occasion and not to be abused. Like in Europe, it is part of the culture (la cultura) here and the dining experience, especially on a long weekend lunch. Chile is a great place to enhance (mejorar) understanding and behaviors, to turn learning into practice. The beauty of the wine country is also part of the journey, and the rolling hills of the countryside provide a beautiful and scenic setting that is both picturesque and unique. Chile is undoubtedly a magical country (un país mágica), and the treasures of the vineyards in and around Santiago are important parts to the adult travelers sojourn.
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