WINE OF THE WEEK - 2020 Laberinto Arcillas Pais — Wine It Up A Notch

Sometimes, the world of wine can seem repetitive and limited.

Though nothing could be farther from the truth in actuality, it’s easy to see how the average consumer could get this impression as they stare at a wall of unending bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and/or Chardonnay. There are a lot of (wonderful and less than wonderful) bottles of wine out there that are made from these grapes.

Even for the most savvy of wine geeks who deeply appreciate that no two bottles of wine are alike, a breakaway from the world’s most widely planted grapes is always exciting and stumbling upon a hidden gem grape varietal tends to invoke a certain wonder and child-like glee.

So let’s have a look at this week’s wine. It’s very cool indeed if you looking for something different and exciting to enjoy in your wine glass!

2020 Laberinto Arcillas Pais

This week’s wine comes from the Chile. A long and narrow land mass, this “new world” wine region has a lot to offer the intrepid wine lover. Some of what it offers is predictable but some - like this week’s pick - is not! Read on to learn what you need to know about this week’s wine.

What does this wine cost?

$24.95 CAD.

What in the (wine) world is Pais?

Pais is a “mission” grape that is widely planted in Chile and has long been associated with the production of bulk wines. As a result, it is a grape that did not historically attract much attention or esteem.

However, Pais has been experiencing a renaissance of sorts recently as more winemakers in Chile have developed a renewed interest in it. In fact, Pais has become somewhat of a cool kid in the Chilean natural wine scene and the wine bars of Santiago, if you’ll believe it.

Lucky for us, the secret is still safe as most wine lovers outside of South America are still not overly familiar with this delicious grape. So there are still plenty of bargains to be had.

Where does this wine come from?

This wine comes from the Maule Valley of Chile.

Maule Valley is a smaller denomination within the larger Central Valley, located in the middle of the country. It is one of the largest wine regions in Chile, both in terms of volume and size. It is also the area where most of the country’s plantings of Pais are located.

In general, the Central Valley is a hot and sun drenched area, although the Maule Valley is located in the southern part of this valley and is therefore a bit cooler and wetter than the rest. This allows for better ripening and balance of fruit, which is definitely beneficial.

Traditionally, the Maule Valley has been an area known for mass produced grapes and wines. However, this has been changing in recent years and a focus on quality winemaking has been emerging.

Why is this wine unique?

It is an affordable Bordeaux blend from a venerable wine region, at a very affordable price. It is also made by a winery that has been twice been named “Winery of the Year” by two different organizations and has also produced multiple “100-point” wines.

Who makes this wine?

This wine is made by Laberinto Wines, a boutique winery located in the foothills of the Andes at an elevation of 600 metres above sea level. The estate consists of 23 hectares and it was first planted in 1993.

Click here to learn more about Laberinto.

A few Wine Geek “essential facts” about the wine (feel free to skip this if you don’t care about detailed wine-making information!):

Grape Varieties - 100% Pais

Soil Types - varied, volcanic and mineral driven composition

Viticulture - manual harvesting of grapes

Vinification - minimal intervention, 50% whole cluster + some stem usage, fermented using ambient yeast in clay amphoras, no fining/filtering

ABV - 12.8%

Residual Sugar - 2 g/L

Wineitupanotch tasting notes:

A delicate light ruby colour in the glass, this wine is lip smackingly juicy, with red fruit and floral notes alongside seductive earthy undertones. Backed by elevated nervy acidity and feathery tannins, this wine is beautiful on its own but also pairs well with food. It is pretty exceptionally delicious!

Aging potential:

Drink now.

Recommendations to Wineitupanotch:

Enjoy this wine with South Asian cuisine, especially meat dishes that have a cumin/garam masala base.

Wineitupanotch Wine Score: 92 points

A exceptional wine for the price, this wine is so delicious that you’ll want to buy more!

FINAL VERDICT:

Buy it. No, buy three. Now. :))

If you’ve tried this wine already, or decide to pick it up and try it after reading this post, I’d love to hear from you and hear what you think of it! Please do drop me a line.

Until next time, wishing you love, light and of course - good wine!……

Cheers…..XOXO