Toro de Piedra Grand Reserva Carignan

Region

Maule was one of the first areas of Chile to be planted with vines. Part of the Central Valley region, it stretches for around 60 miles, with the centre of wine production around 180 miles south of Santiago. Slightly cooler and damper than other Central Valley regions it enjoys the same extended growing season, giving grapes a balance of ripeness and acidity. It is also beginning to see success with dry-farming methods and old vine varietals such as Carignan.

Producer

Santiago Achurra Larrain founded Viña Requingua in 1961 and since then, working alongside several generations of his family, has grown the winery to be amongst Chile’s top 20 producers. Grapes are sourced from vineyards located in the Curico, Maule and Colchagua Valleys, where a mild Mediterranean-like climate and varied soils offer optimum conditions for growing many different varieties. Long, dry summers with radiant days and cool nights help the grapes attain maximum potential with vibrant fruit and refreshing acidity. Winemaking is led by Frenchman Benoit Fitte, who has overseen things since 2001.

Viticulture

Vines are a minimum of 40 years old and drawn from their own vineyards in Maule. Gobelet-trained and hand-harvested.

Vinification

Following a traditional fermentation the wine is aged for 12 months in French oak barriques which have a minimum age of 3 years.

Tasting Note

Deep cherry red in colour; intense, complex nose of raspberry and strawberry with floral notes, cedar and forest floor; lively entry in the mouth, fresh acidity with rounded tannins finishing in fresh notes of red fruits.

Food Matching

Ideal with richer poultry dishes (turkey, duck), roasted pork, or even a meaty beef brisket. Good with cheeses like Parmesan, Gouda, ripe Cheddar. Try with savoury mushroom dishes too, as well as charred vegetable dishes.