By Mymi Myriam
On a beautiful, warm and sunny fall day, I rode my bicycle to the Ritz Carlton for the extraordinary opportunity to sit down with Mr. Eduardo Chadwick, the President of Vina Errazuriz and iconic ambassador of premium Chilean wines.
I walked into the Ritz’s sumptuous, modern lobby and headed up a staircase towards TOCA, one of the hotel’s restaurants where our luncheon was taking place.
Mr. Chadwick stood in a magnificent dining room and welcomed me with a warm smile and handshake. I joined the few selected guests at the dining room table and kept observing our charismatic host, a man who almost single handedly opened the world’s eyes to Chile’s potential for producing wines of extraordinary quality.
It was in 2004, out of frustration and the need to change the world’s view of Chile as a simple bulk-wine producer that he organized the now legendary Berlin tasting where he invited key members of the European wine world to blind taste the finest French and Italian wines along with a few of his own.
The result? His Vinedo Chadwick 2000 and his Sena 2001 won the two first places, on top of Chateau Lafite-Rothschild 2000 and Chateau Margaux 2001, surprising all the specialists and forever changing the international vision of Chilean wines.
The wines offered at our Toronto tasting were a true reflection of Errazuriz’ impressive diversity, complexity and intensity of styles. The Aconcagua Costa Sauvignon Blanc 2014 was aromatic and lively, the Aconcagua Costa 2014 Chardonnay was minerally and elegant, the Aconcagua Costa Pinot Noir 2014 was earthy but fresh, the Aconcagua Costa Syrah 2014 was intense and fruity, the Aconcagua Alto 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon was plump and vibrant, The Blend 2011 was juicy and ripe, La Cumbre 2013 was meaty and spicy, Kai 2013 was controversially delicious, Don Maximiano Red Blend 2013 was velvety and juicy and to top it off, Vinedo Chadwick 2013 Vintage was immense and simply superb.
Upon savoring these wines, my first instinct is to urge you to try them!
Thanks to Mr. Chadwick and Vins Philippe Dandurands, I am forever changed. Next time I want to reach for a bottle of Bordeaux at the liquor store, I may instead find myself roaming in the Chilean section.
Errázuriz Aconcagua Alto Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Aconcagua Valley, Chile
Errazuriz Kai Carmenere 2012
Aconcagua Valley, Chile
Errazuriz Wild Ferment Chardonnay 2012
Casablanca Valley, Chile
Errazuriz Aconcagua Costa Sauvignon Blanc 2013
Casablanca Valley, Chile
Errazuriz Aconcagua Costa Single Vineyard Syrah 2012
Aconcagua Costa, Aconcagua Valley, Chile
Errazuriz Aconcagua Costa Pinot Noir 2013
Casablanca Valley, Chile
Mymi is a sommelier, singer-songwriter, musician and voice-over artist with a serious and contagious passion for wine, food and music.
When asked why she is so enthusiastic about wine, she replies, “Wine connects so many elements of life that I absolutely love. From growing herbs and vegetables to cooking, eating, travelling, entertaining, studying. There is always something new to learn in the world of wine. Sharing my knowledge with people, no matter their level of expertise, is something I sincerely enjoy.”
Her qualifications include certifications from The Court of Master Sommeliers, The International Sommelier Guild, The Society of Wine Educators, The Ontario Wine Council and most recently, The French Wine Society. As a professional musician, she shares her knowledge of wine in an entertaining, down-to-earth, and unpretentious way.
She is completing the WSET Level 4 Diploma program, is in the early stages of creating a food/wine/music show is currently recording her first all-French album. Mymi is a regular contributor to NatalieMacLean.com.
