Vina Falernia Elqui Valley Carmenere Gran Reserva 2019

The reserva quality is the superlative of the 'ordinary' carménère. This is made from hand-picked grapes that are only harvested in June, more than two months later than the normal harvest.

Due to the longer ripening period, the grapes dry out a bit and become a lot more concentrated. This way of working betrays the Northern Italian origin of the winemakers: this 'appassimento method' is frequently used in Valpolicella.

After fermentation, the wine matures for six to eight months in top quality wooden barrels of American origin. This creates a particularly full-tasting red Chilean wine with soft tannins and a long, clean aftertaste.

Falernia, Italian success in Chile

Aldo Olivier, born in Trentino, Italy, started Viña Falernia in 1997 with his cousin and fellow countryman Giorgio Flessati. A special initiative, because they manage the northernmost vineyards of Chile. These are located in the Elqui Valley, near the city of La Serena, more than 500 kilometers north of Santiago.

A - as it soon turned out - very suitable region for producing aromatic and fresh wines. During the day it is (moderately) warm, but at night it cools down strongly due to the westerly ocean wind or cool mountain air from the Andes from the east. This gives the grapes an intense aroma and flavor and retains refreshing acidity.

The wines of Falernia are now widely known and there is recognition for the excellent quality. The international breakthrough came in 2005, when Falernia's syrah was judged 'Wine of the Show' at the annual Wines of Chile Awards in Santiago.