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OMG! This Wine is Whacky and You’ll Have to Wait For It.

Old Vine Carignan from Chile

Talk about your off-beat wines. Carignan is not exactly the most obscure variety out there, but how many varietal versions do you see? A few from here and there. Then Chile appears out of nowhere wielding about three-dozen old vine versions, you have to say OMG. That is whacky!

I still haven’t pulled together my notes about these wines tasted about a month ago, but I am looking forward to reliving the experience when I do. Not only do these wines taste delicious, for the most part, but they also have a great story to tell.

The vines were originally planted by families to provide for their daily needs. Over the years, many of the vines were ill tended and some juice was sold to large bottlers for blending purposes. But then, BAM! Chile got on the wine geek radar and freaky winemakers started looking around to see what neat stuff they could find to entice the world’s wine geeks. Dry farmed, ancient vine Carignan? Yes, that might just do!

As an added bonus, the families that farm these grapes are now getting paid a boatload more money for the fruit of their labor! It’s a triple win. I’ll work on getting my notes up soon!

Photo courtesy of die.tine via Flickr/cc

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Comments

SM

1097030 209

Thanks GDP, always do enjoy reading your articles. I will stay on the lookout for these wines in my corner of the world.

Yes I do agree that Beaujolais can be good wine, I know its a much misunderstood and maligned appellation, but I drank some Beaujolais crus back in June at a wine event that I was quite impressed with.

The fresh fruit, the balanced flavors and not an overly heavy red while still not being too 'light. It's a great summer red if you want a break from Sauvignon Blanc, Moscato and the like.

Cheers!

Jul 26, 2012 at 1:04 AM
Tiakittie

1041141 79

A fun read GDP! It's unfortunate that we don't see too many of these great wines up here in Canada (with the exception of the Beaujolais, of course!!) as I am all about the funky and would LOVE to try the Carignan!!

A recent trip to the Okanagan provided an OMG wine for me...Desert Hills Mirage - a Unique red blend from a tiny little vineyard on the Black Sage. These boys really know how to make a great wine! A top 10 for me, though a little pricy at around $35 wholesale! And if you really want your world tilted, try a Canadian Malbec (a real one from grapes grown in Osoyoos - not imported!). As the Malbec Queen (of my circle, that is!), I was floored by how different and GOOD these wines are! Much more old world than new!

Cheers! and keep the great articles coming!
Jean

Jul 26, 2012 at 8:57 PM
Gregory-
Dal Piaz

Hand of Snooth Voice of Snooth

89065 90,125

Thanks guys. I like having fun with wine!

I've got to get up to the Okanagan wine region and taste me some of those wines like that Malbec you're talking about. Sounds delicious!

Aug 01, 2012 at 11:31 AM