Tag chile wine

Chile Hosts The 50 Best Vineyards 2026 Award Ceremony

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Viña Don Melchor has been named Official Venue Partner for The 50 Best Vineyards 2026 awards ceremony being held in Santiago, Chile. The 50 Best Vineyards 2026 is the annual celebration of the best winery and vineyard experiences internationally. Selecting Viña Don Melchor as Official Venue Partner for its annual awards ceremony recognises the remarkable development of wine tourism in Chile over recent decades while showcasing the country to a global audience as a leading wine tourism destination.

 The 50 Best Vineyards 2026 awards ceremony will take place on November 18th at the winery’s facilities located within the Viña Concha y Toro Wine Centre in Pirque. 

Selecting Santiago, Chile, as the host region reflects a long-term strategy driven by the national wine industry, regional governments, tourism and international promotion authorities, and a wide range of public and private stakeholders committed to positioning Chile among the world’s leading wine destinations.

In recent years, Chile has strengthened its wine tourism offering through investments in infrastructure, hospitality, gastronomy, culture and wine-related experiences, raising industry standards and expanding its international recognition.

Photo Credit: Vina Don Melchor

Wine Review: Montes’ Classic Cabernet Sauvignon

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Montes’ Cabernet Sauvignon is Chile’s most recognizable red wine produced by the celebrated Viña Montes’ estate in the Colchagua Valley. This winery is credited with bringing premium Chilean winemaking to wine lovers globally. Their Cabernet Sauvignon is offered in two tiers: the approachable “Classic” series and the more robust premium “Alpha” series. 

Montes’ Classic Cabernet Sauvignon features aromas of ripe red and black fruit- think strawberry, plum, and fig carried on a medium body with flavors of red fruit and dark chocolate. Balanced acidity, silky tannins, and a touch of French oak support its easy-drinking profile. It’s a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot with a 14% ABV, making it a natural fit for grilled steak, as well as beef short ribs, lamb chops, and, surprisingly, those gourmet burgers that you see on just about every menu lately. 

If you are looking to add an affordable weeknight Cab to your wine rack that delivers dependable quality without the intense concentration and complexity of much higher-priced Cabs, then you should take a closer look at Montes’ Classic Cabernet Sauvignon. It is easy to find, and at around $10- $15 a bottle, it is a good value for a Cabernet Sauvignon rated 90 pts by James Suckling. 

Photo Credit: Viña Monte’s’