Beverage Dynamics is the largest national business magazine devoted exclusively to the needs of off-premise beverage alcohol retailers, from single liquor stores to big box chains, through coverage of the latest trends in wine, beer and spirits.
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/346136
Palm Bay International's Michael Preis, brand manager for the behe- moth brand Santa Rita, says that "Chile offers an amazing array of varietals and sub-regions that pro- vide exceptional value at every price point, which is a unique proposition coming from one country. Whether it's Pinot Noir or Sauvignon Blanc from Leyda, Cabernet Sauvignon from Maipo, Carmenère from Col- chagua or Cabernet Franc from Pumanque, there are extraordinary terroir-driven varietals being pro- duced in Chile these days." Ramkowsky spent two years with his partner amassing a collec- tion of wines that represent "New Chile." "Our portfolio is the fi rst to represent the diversity of Chile and the next generation of wineries. Chile is mirroring the evolution of California," he explains. "From large production areas — Central Valley, California and Central Valley, Chile — to more specifi c regions — Napa Valley and Maipo Valley — to new regions—Sonoma Coast and Leyda — Chile is a country of diversity that is only beginning to be explored." Among the new rollouts he's looking forward to: Casa Silva's "Carmenère Project" and Garcia & Schwaderer's "Bravado," a blend of Carignan, Cabernet and Syrah. ENGAGING THE MASSES Santa Rita has seen two years of positive growth above the over- all category, an average of 8%-10% a year, according to Preis. The brand just launched a red blend, predominantly Cabernet Franc with Carmenère and Cabernet Sau- vignon, called the Hero's Salute, an ode to the 120 patriots who fought in Chile's battle of independence. A second blend, the "Secret Reserve" — named for the oversized mirror hanging in the Santa Rita Casa Real Hotel that has witnessed over a cen- tury of dinners, dances and "secrets" — will be comprised of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Petit Ver- dot and Carmenère. For several years, Banfi 's Emil- iana, from Chile, has had a strong on-premise presence. Now it is see- ing a natural progression of success at the retail level. In particular, says brand manager Lauren Marano, Emiliana's Natura line "is enjoying triple-digit growth, outpacing the category in terms of case volume and value dollar growth. Nat- ura has one of the top-performing SKUs in Chile's hottest varietal categories: Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc and Malbec." The recently launched Natura Pinot Noir, carrying a Casablanca Valley designation, is also garnering attention. Additionally, Banfi began a soft rollout in limited markets of Emiliana's Novas terroir-driven line featuring Sauvignon Blanc from San Antonio Valley, Pinot Noir from Casablanca Valley and Cabernet Sauvignon from Maipo Valley. Though Baron Philippe Rothschild is known for its French wine- making roots, the group also has long-term experience growing and producing wines in Chile and already had the infrastructure in place, including a production facility, grower partnerships and winemaking team. So, in collaboration with Constellation Brands, Anderra was THE LANDS OF MALBEC AND CARMENERE 30 Beverage Dynamics • July/August 2014 www.beveragedynamics.com Trapiche wines from Argentina are making a comeback in the U.S. Doña Paula 2012 Black Edition Red Blend, which was launched in the U.S. earlier this year by Trinchero Family Estates. Santa Rita Casa Real Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the top super- premium wines from Chile. Though it is a Chilean wine, EPICA's latest effort is a 2013 Malbec from Argentina. Fairly new to the market is Anderra, the product of a partnership in Chile between Constellation brands and the Baron Philippe Rothschild. Concha y Toro's Argentine subsidiary, Trivento, features a full lineup of char- acteristic varietal wines. Alamos is the best-selling Argentine wine in the U.S., with sales of 915,000 9-liter cases in 2013.