Viña Carmen is located in Chile’s Maipo Valley, one of the country’s most prestigious wine regions known for its Mediterranean climate, alluvial soils, and cooling influence from the Andes Mountains. Founded in 1850, Viña Carmen is one of the oldest wineries in Chile and has a long legacy of innovation. Their sparkling wine is made using the traditional method, with a second fermentation taking place in the bottle. This process gives the wine its delicate bubbles and a creamy texture. On the nose, there are notes of green apple, lemon zest, and toasted brioche. The palate is crisp and refreshing with a dry finish that makes it a versatile pairing wine. The winery also produces a beautiful Semillon that offers waxy texture, lemon curd, chamomile, and subtle minerality. Their Cabernet Franc is equally impressive, with red cherry, dried herbs, and peppercorn, showing finesse and structure in equal measure.
Viña Carmen is especially known for its red wines. Their Cabernet Sauvignon is a textbook Maipo expression with notes of blackcurrant, tobacco, eucalyptus, and fine tannins that speak to the region’s sunny days and cool nights. María’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is the crown jewel of the portfolio. Made only in exceptional vintages and sourced from old vines, this wine showcases concentrated cassis, cedar, mint, and supple tannins that age gracefully. It is named after María Carmen, the founder’s wife, and represents the winery’s highest level of craftsmanship. A fun piece of trivia is that Viña Carmen was the first Chilean winery to identify Carmenère in its vineyards, a grape once believed to be extinct after phylloxera devastated Bordeaux. Today, Carmenère is considered a signature Chilean varietal, and its rediscovery at Viña Carmen highlights the winery’s role in shaping the identity of Chilean wine.
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