La Despensa Estate Pais

Region

Colchagua, which forms part of the larger Rapel Valley, runs southeast to northwest, from the foothills of the Andes on its east to the Coastal Range on its west. It enjoys a perfect climate for viticulture; warm with cool coastal breezes, and dry but with occasional rain and rivers that bring meltwater and nutritious silt down from the Andes.

Producer

La Despensa Wines from Chile’s Colchagua Valley is owned, organically-farmed and operated by Matt Ridgway, originally from Dorset, and his Chilean wife Ana. La Despensa is focused on varieties that are not what you’d typically expect from Chile, such as the traditional Rhône grapes of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault. They also offer a rare example from Chile of Italy’s signature grape Sangiovese and even rarer and very old-vine Pais from Colchagua, where there are just 50 or so hectares left of these ancient vines in the entire valley. La Despensa produces high-quality, fresh, unoaked and deliciously drinkable wines that invite a second glass.

Viticulture

Organically farmed, this is a truly boutique operation, with all with all work carried out by winemaker Matt and Juan, the only full-time worker.

Vinification

Dry-farmed on less than 12 inches of winter rain per year, this is a different take on Pais compared with wines from this variety further south in Chile. Hand-picked grapes. Open-top bin fermentation with native yeasts. 14 days from picking to pressing, no extended maceration. Aged 100% in Flextank.

Tasting Note

Fresh and super easy-drinking. Very clean with typical Pais notes of strawberry and perhaps a hint of sour cherry with added depth and concentration from the old vine fruit.

Food Matching

Very versatile, accompanies pretty much all styles and types of food, though works very well with spiced dishes, cured meats, mezze platters and barbecued meats.