Alongside the British wine magazine, The Drinks Business, the company visited London and held a Masterclass on the Puente Alto D.O, along with two of its leading wines: Don Melchor & Marques de Casa Concha Heritage.
Viña Concha y Toro, in collaboration with the world’s leading drinks trade magazine, The Drinks Business, hosted a Masterclass on the prestigious Puente Alto Designation of Origin, now known as the birthplace of some of the world’s finest high-end Cabernet Sauvignons.
The activity was led by Marcelo Papa, Technical Director for Concha y Toro, and Patrick Schmitt, Master of Wine and Editor-in-Chief of the magazine, who conducted a comprehensive Masterclass on the Puente Alto Designation of Origin in Chile, with over 35 attendees, including journalists, educators, sommeliers, and consultants.
Viña Concha y Toro planted the first pre-phylloxera vines in Puente Alto in 1883, and to reflect our entire history and tradition in this terroir, Marcelo Papa led a tasting of our two most representative wines from this Designation of Origin: Marques de Casa Concha Heritage, with its 2020 and 2021 vintages, and four iconic Don Melchor vintages: 1988, 2001, 2014 & 2021.
Marcelo Papa comments: “With this new masterclass, we aim to continue promoting the Puente Alto Denomination of Origin around the world that gives rise to some of the best Cabernet Sauvignon wines. Its terroir, coupled with its unique soil and climate qualities, combine to make the perfect conditions for crafting our Don Melchor and Marques Heritage wines”.
During the Masterclass, the 35 participants had a chance to taste our wines and gain a deeper knowledge of all the qualities that make Puente Alto a world-class terroir.
“It was a great privilege to have Marcelo Papa present the wines of Puente Alto in person to the UK trade. Covering the key aspects of Puente Alto terroir, from the soils to the climate, he painted a clear picture of what makes this part of Chile so special for Cabernet Sauvignon, while drawing attention to the quality and ageability of Don Melchor as well as the reasons for launching the newer Heritage label. With a particular focus on viticulture, it was a revelation to see how aspect, rootstocks, and ungrafted vines affect the character of Cabernet in this special part of the Alto Maipo. Indeed, while the masterclass sought to promote Puente Alto, it was also an education in viticultural R&D, as well as a showcase for the outstanding 2021 vintage of Don Melchor,” comments the editor-in-chief at The Drinks Business, Patrick Schmitt.
With this masterclass held in the city of London, Viña Concha y Toro concludes its 2023 global tour to promote the Puente Alto D.O, and is planning to continue developing activities like this to further establish Puente Alto as the birthplace of the world’s finest Cabernet Sauvignons.
