SAQ Viognier ‘No Es Pituko’ 2023, Vina Echeverria, Curico Valley, Chile
Simple as a good Viognier
It is quite rare to begin a presentation of a Chilean vineyard by mentioning that the family has been producing wine since 1750! It gives a whole new meaning to "New World"... For the Echeverria family, we should note that they arrived from the Basque Country in the 18th century, but clarify that they really got serious in 1930 when they chose to move away from the capital, Santiago, to settle in the Curicó Valley, some 200-plus kilometers away.
There, they now cultivate some thirty international varieties, with an inclination toward the export market since the 90s, at a time when Chilean wines were revolutionizing the notion of "affordable wines." The "No es Pituko" project highlights the natural terroir of the Curicó Valley, which is a long, fertile corridor between the Andes and the Pacific Ocean. A perfect environment in terms of climate and day-night temperature variations allows for long maturation on the vines and organic farming.
Aware of these benefits, we can forgive the winery's Viognier for its cloudiness and instead enjoy its stone fruit flavors supported by a hint of citrus. The palate is fresh, indicating minimal intervention in the cellar, yet still textured by aging on lees. Ultimately, a fairly complex wine that will surprise both lovers of natural wines and fans of well-made wines alike…
- To pair with it: fried eggplant with a gribiche sauce,
- For the anecdote: No es Pituko means "It’s not complicated" in the local regional Spanish slang,
- To better understand Viogniers from all horizons: get on the waiting list for our next seasonal happy hour.
- To stay in the Southern Hemisphere with Viognier, the 2023 ‘Vida Organica Sauvage’ Viognier, La Agricola, Mendoza $17 at SAQ (14494611)
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