I know Shelby Perkins is also headed to Chile around the same time as we are, and she’s likely to visit wineries - our family trip has a brief visit to a winery in a group tour, but otherwise we don’t really have time to visit wineries. However, we’ll clearly be eating out plenty, and, yes, we’re doing Boragó one evening.
I’m wondering if anyone has suggestions for producers I should look for, as I imagine the lists are filled with producers we don’t have imported to the States, and often it’s difficult to figure out what to pick. I’m often looking at CT while perusing the list, but that takes a lot of time and looks a little ridiculous. Would be nice to have a ‘hit list’ of Chilean or Argentinian producers I should target on wine lists, or cafés for snacks, etc.
There are suggestions for Argentine whites to target in the Argentina thread
As I am a BTG guy, in Santiago, no point in a hit list as there weren’t many choices.
I did like Chilean Sauvignon blanc. But not so much that I wrote down the producer. By the bottle is another story.
Almondine at the Hyatt was surprisingly good. Better than Elena at the Rirz Carlton . Was there over Xmas eve and Xmas so had to stick to hotel restaurants.
As Barry noted, I dropped a few in the Argentina thread. Dan Kravitz also mentioned some. I spent years in Buenos Aires but never made it to Chile although I wanted to go to check out the surf. My guess is that Chile, like most European countries that makes wine, tends to serve mostly national wines so I don’t know how much you’ll find from AR. Happy to help if you have questions about AR or I can add more than I have.
Mentioned in this article is one of my favorites for whites, German Massera. Haven’t tried all the others but from what I know she hasn’t picked any duds so it may hold for Chile as well.
I will say that although AR is known mostly for Malbec, I drank mostly Pinot Noir, Cab Franc, various whites,a and plenty of sparkling. Chile kind of has a reputation for Cab Sauv and Sauv Blanc but I would keep my eye out for Pinot Noir and Criolla.
Here’s another one for you. Haven’t tried these but the recent discussion of Altos Las Hormigas in another thread reminded me of hearing positive talk of this project when I was in Argentina. Also, I trust Chisty’s palate as well as her sparkling personality.
Also forgot that what is usually called Criolla (or more properly criolla chica) in Argentina is more commonly known as pais in Chile.
Criolla Chica is known as Pais in Chile is known as Mission in the US. Very underrated variety these days, it was the first Vitis Vinifera variety brought to the new world.
Chile produces some excellent Pais wines, and our own Adam Frisch makes great Missions in CA.
I found Western Union to give a reasonable rate, especially for the convenience. But many have a nasty line. Do you always stay in the same barrio? I know a good WU in Palermo and also another cueva in Barrio Norte that is low key and should offer a competitive rate.
I stay a block away from the Plaza de la Republica when Im there. I’m usually there only for 1-2 days at a time so dealing with WU can be a bit of a pain for that.