Ventisquero Wines

When it comes to Chilean wine tasting, most of my experience involves the marathon Wines of Chile tastings. Eight or a dozen bottles grouped around a common theme, enjoyed with webcasts and online messaging and Twittering.

While I definitely enjoy those events, it's also nice to try them on a smaller scale. Such was the case when I received a pair of wines from Viña Ventisquero. While the winery was founded in 2000 in the Maipo Valley, the company has expanded their sources to include other valleys like Leyda, Colchagua, and the Casablanca, which produced the grapes used in the two wines below.

Both of these are affordable wines with a good quality-price ratio, inexpensive wines that are well made but are also suited for casual lunch consumption or a simple midweek dinner.

2010 Ventisquero Reserva Sauvignon Blanc
Casablanca Valley
100% Sauvignon Blanc
$13, 13.1% abv.

Grass, lime peel, and a salty sea spray aroma... Medium acidity and a round mouthfeel with a tart, tangy finish. I enjoyed it with smoked chicken and a simple spinach salad.

2011 Ventisquero Reserva Pinot Noir
Casablanca Valley
100% Pinot Noir
$13, 13.5% abv.

A thin-bodied but tart Pinot Noir with loads of raspberry characteristics. Loads of acidity, low tannins. Very light red color, almost like Gamay. A curious wine, but perfect with an appetizer platter of cheeses and olives and nuts.

Note: These wines were received as samples.