Ferdinand Magellan, who "discovered" the Philippines, was also the first European to sight Chilean territory when he crossed the Strait of Magellan in 1520, during his global circumnavigation voyage. Both countries fought a protracted battle for independence from Spain in the 1800's and both groaned under a dictatorship in the 70's. Except for these few historical parellels with the Philippines, there's really little that I know about Chile.
Though quite embarrassing to admit, my earliest (dis)information about this uncommonly long and narrow strip of land between the Andes mountains and the Pacific Ocean came from author and astronaut proponent, Erich von Daniken.
In his books, Chariots of the Gods and Gods from Outer Space, he wrote about Chile in reference to one of the most mysterious landmarks of ancient civilization. His theory gripped my imagination: that this country must have been so special that an alien civilization had left giant watchmen to look after and protect its shorelines. Indeed, across the coast of Chile, on an isolated and desolate speck of rock called Easter Island, stood giant statues whose empty eyes stare across the seemingly endless ocean, their unearthly gaze focused on Chile.
Today, it may not be too difficult to believe that "alien gods" have looked upon this land with favor. While a number of its neighbors have their agriculture threatened now and then by diseases like the fruit fly and mad cow, Chile has always been spared.
Wine lovers may even have to thank those alien visitors for shielding Chile from the dreaded Phylloxera that wreaked havoc on thousands of hectares of old world vineyards in France and Europe. For reasons that have never fully been understood - except that the stone figures supposedly left by UFO's on Easter Island must have stared down and zapped the louse dead on its track - Chile remains free of phylloxera to this day.
Something good also came up as Europe struggled with the Phylloxera problem. French winemakers in search of work trooped down to Chile, bringing with them their Bordeaux experience and a wine-making style that has become a trademark of Chilean wines. Nowhere was the Old World more at home in the New World than in Chile.
Today, in search of the "Chilean terroir", wine makers continue to experiment with a number of varietals, finding some success in carmenere, merlot, cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay. What a far cry from the days of Gato Negro and Los Boldos, the go-to wines of the 90's and probably our first taste of Chilean wine. An Escudo Rojo from Maipo Valley, which I tasted last year, mirrored the depth and elegance of a classic Bordeaux - a little too warm on the finish perhaps, but a great value at practically half the price I'd pay for its French counterpart. An Old World fan, I will always penny-pinch in favor of a Chilean as most New World wines just seem too burly and in-your-face for me.
Last night, at the IWFS- Ladies wine tasting event held in Circulo, the wines from Casa Lapostolle exemplified the level of sophistication and refinement of Chilean wines. In fact, its Clos Apalta 2005 - a distinctively Chilean blend of Carmenere, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, with some Petit Verdot - was chosen by Wine Spectator as Wine of the Year for 2008. I was also impressed with their Cuvee Alexander Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, a dense, dark-fruit but soft-edged wine considering it was made of 100% cabernet sauvignon. And, to add to my growing stash of white, I made a mental note to get their Cuvee Alexander Chardonnay 2006.
I had no luck with the award-winning Clos Apalta, though. It turns out the couple beside me and some people with inside information had bought boxes of it as soon as they were made available early this year. Even the Clos Apalta 2000 Magnum - the surprise bottle of the night - has been out of stock at winery level...
Probably loaded and driven away on those chariots of the gods.
From left, Lindy Castillo, Diego Urra of Casa Lapostolle, IWFS-Ladies President Cyrene de la Rosa, Fil Juntereal (seated), Edouard Miailhe of Chateau Siran and myself.
Topmost photo, the Moai of Easter Island, from the Sydney Morning Herald. Other photos courtesy of Cyrene de la Rosa.
Featured wines: Casa Lapostolle Sauvignon Blanc, Cuvee Alexander Chardonnay 2006, Casa Lapostolle Merlot 2005, Cuvee Alexander Merlot 2005, Cuvee Alexander Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Clos Apalta 2005 and Clos Apalta 2000 Magnum.