Wine Review: Perfect Wines for Fiestas Patrias (Chilean Independence Day)

It’s that time of year again, and Chile’s strong vaccination numbers are allowing limited public celebrations to take place for Dieciocho (Fiestas Patrias) after everyone was resigned to celebrating in their homes last year. For non-Chileans, Fiestas Patrias is typically a week-long national celebration centered around the 18th of September, the day the independence process started with Chile’s first governing body in 1810. Besides family barbecues, each comuna usually organizes public fondas or ramadas with lots of food and drinks along with traditional music, dance, rodeos, games and other performances. Although the traditional alcoholic drink is Chicha and the modern tradition is to drink Terremoto cocktails, there’s usually plenty of Chilean wine and beer too. Therefore, I have two perfect wine recommendations to celebrate Fiestas Patrias.  Continue reading

Wine Review: Viña Vik

I’ve been told that Chile is basically owned by around 20 large families, and that power structure certainly extends to the wine industry. That’s what makes the growth of small independent producers and the revival of Pais so amazing. Plus, there are new producers popping up all the time.  In the case of Viña Vik, it’s quickly risen to the top in just around 15 years since its founding.   Continue reading