GrapeRadio – Wine Talk Show

Although it is considered New World, Chile has been growing wine since the 16th century, when the Spanish conquistadors brought vitis vinifera vines with them during their colonization of the region. About the mid-18th century, several French grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Carmenère were also introduced to the region.

Chile’s five viticultural regions occupy an 800 mile stretch, in a country 2,700 miles long and 109 miles wide. The most common red grapes grown are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Carmenère – a grape originally from the Medoc region, but which has all but disappeared from Bordeaux since the phylloxera epidemic of the late 19th Century.

During the early 1980s, Chilean wineries modernized their production, bringing in stainless steel tanks for fermentation and oak barrels for aging. These were fast times, and the number of wineries grew from 12 in 1995 to over 70 in 2005. The increase in production was matched with wine exports as well, with Chile becoming the fifth largest exporter of wines, and the ninth largest producer in the world.

Join us as we talk with Andrea Leon, winemaker for Casa Lapostolle. Founded by Alexandra Marnier Lapostolle, her husband Cyril de Bournet and Don José Rabat Gorchs, Casa Lapostolle began as an effort to blend French expertise with Chilean terroir. Certified as Carbon Neutral for its recycling and renewable energy efforts, the winery practices biodynamic farming, and have been a leader in the “Green” movement in Chile.

For more information on Casa Lapostolle: www.casalapostolle.com

Sponsor: VinAssure, Wine Preservation System: www.vinassure.com

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Born and raised in Western Australia, Rob Mann followed in the family tradition – oenology. After receiving his degree from University of Adelaide, Rob worked for Hardy’s in McLaren Vale, before returning home to pickup the reins at Cape Mentelle Vineyards in 2005 in Australia’s Margaret River region. Cape Mentelle was one of the first vineyards established in the area. First planted in 1970, there are now over 180 hectares under vine. Founded by West Australian wine industry pioneer David Hohnen, Cape Mentelle is credited with pioneering many varietals and blends in the region, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Shiraz and Sauvignon Blanc Semillon.

The Margaret River region is located in the Southwest corner of the “land down under,” stretching about 100 km from north to south, and about 27 km in width. The climate here is Mediterranean, with mild wet winters and warm dry summers – approximating something like Bordeaux in a dry season. Although it contributes only 3% of the country’s total grape output, it commands over 20% of its wine market. With over 5,500 hectares under vine, there are over 120 producers in the region. Grape varieties grown include: Cabernet, Shiraz, Merlot, Chardonnay, Semilion and Sauvignon Blanc.

Join us as we talk with Rob Mann about Australia, the Margaret River region, to see if it really is different “down under.”

Sponsor- Pinpoint Technologies, Mailing List Source: www.pinpoint-tech.com

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