The Nitty Gritty
In these times it is important to stand for what you believe in, and more importantly to build the kind of business you believe in. Garage Wine Co. revives old vineyards in marginalized Chilean communities to make coveted wines. They are positioned in a dozen established fine wine markets around the world and growing. The wines are not made to be expensive per se, but they are found on the higher shelves– they need to command a price that allows for proper farming. What we have discovered is that the long-term practices of regenerative farming not only make for better fruit and thus more flavourful wine, but that such a business can become a force for financial, community and environmental good. GWCo makes wines from a series of individual parcels, small lots/bottlings of 8 -22 barrels that include a series of dry-farmed field blends of Carignan, Garnacha, Monastrell, País, Cinsault and Cab Franc grown on pre-phylloxera rootstock with small farmers in the Maule and Itata. Each wine is from a 1-2 hectare parcel in a different place: Bagual, Caliboro, Coelemu, Guarilihue, Loncomilla, Portezuelo, Puico, Ranquil, Sauzal, Truquilemu… Wine Enthusiast nominated Garage Wine Co as New World Winery of the Year in 2020
Garage Wine Co was literally started in a garage in 2001, by Etobicoke expat Derek Mossman and his wife Pilar Miranda. Since then, the dynamic duo have chosen to revive old vineyards in marginalized Chilean communities. They work mostly in the regions of Maule and Itata where they make highly coveted wines.
This light red/unusual rosé is a blend field of mostly Carginan and a bit of Mataro from the more vigorous rows in the Truquilemu vineyard. It has a savoury nose with some medicinal and balsamic undertones, wild berries, plants and flowers. The palate is explosive with focused and sharp flavours, clean, long and with an almost salty finish that makes you salivate.
This one is a great food wine! Pair it with seafood such as sea urchins or rich fish like salmon; or give it a try with some foie gras or even spicy Thai food.
