Santa Carolina , Chile's second largest exporter, sources its grapes from many different regions, including the hot Maipo Valley, the cooler Maule Valley and the newest and currently most popular wine-growing region, the Casablanca Valley. Established in 1991, Domaine Paul Bruno, located in the Maipo Valley next to Cousino-Macul on the site of a former walnut and apricot orchard, is in the process of developing its visitor's center and tasting room. Were it not for the mountain range framing the vineyards, one almost might think this is a Bordeaux chateau with its Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot vines and its Cos d'Estournel-style tower. Yet, winemaker Felipe de Solminihac, himself a graduate of the University of Bordeaux, is not anxious to simply replicate Bordeaux. I'm looking for finesse without oak, where the character of the grapes shines through.
Soft tannins flood the mouth, making one suddenly yearn for a grilled lamb chop.
And, like most Chilean wineries, Casa Lapostolle owns vineyards in several other regions. Miguel Torres , located near Curico, is part of the international wine dynasty that also includes the Torres winery in Penedes, Spain, and California's Marimar Torres Estate. Miguel Torres was the first foreign wine entity to invest in Chile's potential with its 1979 purchase of 247 acres. It also was the first winery to introduce cold fermentation for white wines, along with modern winemaking techniques and equipment. In addition to Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon, Torres produces Manso de Velasco Cabernet Sauvignon, a must-try wine.