In the early stages of wine industry development in Chile distinguished local politician and businessman Don Melchor Concha y Toro brought noble French grapevines from the Bordeaux region to plant at Pirque in the Maipo Valley. Paving the foundations for Viña Concha y Toro he also had the vision to contract eminent French enologist Monsieur Labouchere to craft his wines.
Solid finances led to Concha y Toro’s successful share floatation on the Santiago Stock Exchange. It was also the year the winery began to export its first consignment to Rotterdam in the Netherlands.
Prominent businessman, Eduardo Guilisasti Tagle joined the company’s board of directors. He was a director, general manager and finally, from 1971 to 1998, Chairman of the Company. Over the course of 40 years Don Eduardo drove sweeping modernization incorporating new technology in the 1980s and in the 1990s switched the sales focus to export markets. His belief in Chile’s potential to produce outstanding wines spawned an investment plan that is still in place today - acquiring vineyards, raising production capacity and adopting state-of-the-art vinification equipment. Through his vision Concha y Toro managed to boost its overseas sales, underpinning subsequent Company growth. Under his guidance the winery managed to position itself as a producer of outstanding quality wines in major markets, a work philosophy and guiding inspiration for Don Eduardo.
The Company took its first steps towards creating finer wines. Casillero del Diablo was made with selected grapes and aged for two years; longer than other Cabernet Sauvignon at the time. Casillero del Diablo is now Company’s biggest selling premium wine. Renowned for its quality, a broad distribution base and a loyal consumer following have made it Chile’s first global wine brand with sales topping 2 million cases.
A huge investment program kicked-off in the 1980s involving integrating state-of-the-art technology at different points of the winemaking process and the purchase of French oak barrels for aging fine wines; all in the single aim of producing better quality wines.
Concha y Toro became the first winery in the world to have its shares traded on the New York stock exchange. The US$53 million, raised financed ongoing expansion including upgrading technology, the renewal of equipment, vineyard acquisitions and the development of new wine brands.
The Company entered Argentina. Trivento Bodegas y Viñedos was formed once convinced of the colossal winegrowing potential the Mendoza region possessed and the advantages of adding new origins and different grape varieties to its portfolio. Following years of above average growth Trivento Bodegas y Viñedos is now the second ranked Argentine wine exporter.
The Company opened its first overseas offices in the United Kingdom. Thanks to local market knowledge and closer ties with its consumer, Concha y Toro UK positioned its premium wines well and achieved fine sales performance.
Concha y Toro, 120 years after its foundation, is driving Chilean wine sales around the globe. It is the leading winery in Latin America and one of the fifteen largest wine businesses in the world. Its products, then available in 110 countries, made up a solid wine portfolio aimed at satisfying the demands a series of different wine drinking situations present.
For the twelfth time, another prestigious US journal, Wine & Spirits, named Concha y Toro Winery of the Year in recognition of its steadfastness and performance. With it, Concha y Toro was inducted into the journal’s Hall of Fame that comprises just eight other members.
Robert Parker, critic for The Wine Advocate, awards 97 points to Carmín de Peumo 2003, Concha y Toro’s flagship Carmenere; this is the publication’s historical highest score for a Chilean wine.
Renowned American Wine & Spirits Magazine chooses Concha y Toro as a Winery of the Year for the 13th time, in recognition of the company’s consistency and performance.
In its special 2007 issue, Wine & Spirits Magazine acknowledged Concha y Toro for its performance over the last 25 years. This tribute earned the company a place among the best worldwide producers over that same period.
Discover our wide range of fresh, fruit-forward and deliciuos wines from Chile´s Central Valley. Its here where low humidity and rain coupled with the warm hand of the sun, located just between the Andes range and the Pacific Ocean, give birth to our great varieties of Xplorador wines. Xplore for yourself!
This sumptuous Carmenere (Car–Men–Yehr) is originally from France, where it was devastated by a plague called phylloxera over 100 years ago. However, this variety was found within Chile in the early 1990’s and today thrives in the famed Central Valley. Low humidity and rain coupled with the warming hand of the sun allow this grape to achieve greatness in Chilean soils.
A Silky and friendly red wine with intense black plum and chocolate flavors. Carmenere wines combine the structure of Cabernet Sauvignon and the smoothness of Merlot. 60% is aged in stainless steel tanks and 40% in three year old medium toasted French and American oak barrels for three months.
Latest Recognitions: Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar: 87 Points.
Most definitively a luxurious Chilean Merlot. Grape vines, initially introduced to the Americas by Spanish Conquistadores, were made popular by the French, and now, have reached the peak of excellence here in Chile. The fertile soils of the Central Valley give birth to these exceptional grapes.
This ruby-red Merlot is soft and round, full of cherry and plum flavors, enhanced by elegant pepper notes and cacao hints. Aged 90% in stainless steel tanks and 10% in three year old medium toasted French oak barrels for four months.
Pacific coastal breezes envelope our vineyards giving solace to grapes toiling under the heat of the Chilean sun. These cool currents allow for the slow ripening that delivers our signature crispness. Calcium rich soils bestow a unique expression of minerality, exclusive to Xplorador.
This vivid and fresh Sauvignon Blanc with elegant fruit and citric notes is the result of a swift fermentation process for 2 months in stainless steel tanks.
Our lush Cabernet Sauvignon is the result of the warmth and dry heat of the Central Valley that summer provides to our grapes, delivering depth and richness. Sheltered between the coastal range and the Andes Mountains, refreshing cool night breezes give rest and a refined character.
This is a well-balanced red wine with juicy blackberry notes combined with hints of cassis, chocolate, dry plums and a touch of vanilla. The wine is aged 70% in stainless steel tanks and 30% in three year old medium toasted American oak barrels for three months.
Latest Recognitions: Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar: 87 Points.XX/bXX
Chile’s long and narrow geography is crucial for the cultivation of our Chardonnay vines. The Pacific coastal breezes meet the cooling, mountainous, Andean night air and deliver the crisp structure that is our hallmark.
This well balanced and fresh, bright yellow wine, presents rich green apple and semi-tropical fruit aromas. The wine is aged for two months in our stainless steel tanks prior to release, thus protecting the grapes true varietal character.
Xplorador crosses the imposing Andes mountains to the grounds where Malbec has achieved its own seal, Mendoza, Argentina. This intensely deep, unctuous Malbec, now thrives in the generous and ideal terroir of Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, producing what could only be described as the fullest expression of opulence.
Distinctive from the land of Tango and Maradona, this 100% Malbec offers elegant red fruit, subtle spice and a tantalizing, juicy finish. French oak aged for five months.
Chile is a long and narrow country of 2,689.92 miles of length on the extreme southwest of South America, which only has on average 111.85 miles of width. This country is particularly distinguished by its very wild and diverse geography.
Northern Chile is a land of extreme contrast, where two uniquely Andean environments, the Altiplano and the Atacama Desert combine with breathtaking sites.
The Altiplano, meaning high plateau receives tropical rains in January and February which gives life to lakes, marshes, salt flats, and geysers, beside 20,000 foot volcanoes.
The colorful Atacama Desert is the driest desert in the world which only receives water that drains west form the Altiplano. This water transforms the landscape, creating a trail of vegetation and cultivation, human habitation and wildlife habitat, salt flats and even, salt mountains.
Further south of Northern Chile, the beaches of La Serena, rise high into the mountains, where the world’s clearest skies are home to the most important telescopes in the world.
From north to south, the principal destination cities in Northern Chile are Arica, Iquique, Calama, San Pedro de Atacama, Antofagasta and La Serena.
Trekking, Ethnic and overland tours, mountaineering and archaeological tours are among the most popular activities in Northern Chile.
Chile’s largest cities are located here: Santiago, Valparaíso and Concepción along with its Universities, Industries, Agricultural lands, and Vineyards.
Santiago, a modern city located between the coast to the west and the Andes to the east has more than 6,000,000 habitants (one third of Chile’s population approximately).
To the west, Santiago connects with Valparaíso and San Antonio, the country’s largest ports, and Viña del Mar, “The Garden City” one of Chile's premier beach resorts, with excellent hotels and shopping.
East of Santiago in the Andes Mountains, only 45 minutes away lies Chile´s world class Ski resorts such as Valle Nevado and El Colorado, these operate during Chilean winter, between June and September.
From Santiago to the southern point of Central Chile forms “Valle Central”, the central valley in which most of the vineyards are located. Due to the geography and surroundings of this valley (cool ocean and Andes mountains), it brims with unique climatic and soil conditions for the cultivation of the vine which gives birth to Chile’s great and worldwide known wines.
Skiing, hiking and mountaineering, mountain biking, horseback riding, rafting and wine touring are amongst the most popular activities in Central Chile.
Concha y Toro offers daily tours through its vineyards and cellars in Pirque, only 40 minutes southeast of Santiago. http://www.conchaytoro.cl/visit/f_tours.html
Chile’s southern region is the scene of great natural adventures between volcanoes, glaciers, icebergs, torrential rivers, rainforests, lakes, ice fields and fjords.
The cities of Valdivia, Puerto Varas and Puerto Montt are start off points for excursions through the chain of beautiful lakes which nose into the Andes, in some places to the point in which it marks the Chile-Argentina border.
Further south begins the Patagonia region of Chile.
Northern Patagonia is one of the world's last great expanses of wilderness, accessed by a gravel highway known as the Carretera Austral (Southern Highway). Here the port of Chaitén provides access to the northernmost portions of the Carretera Austral, including world-class rafting in Futaleufú River, flyfishing, and cruises to glaciers, and different ice fields.
In Southern Patagonia, known as Magallanes lies one of Chile’s most visited natural parks, Torres del Paine and World Biosphere Reserve, which are the most famous of the vast protected areas of Magallanes, preserving habitat for guanacos, foxes, rheas and flamingos.
Punta Arenas is the capital of the Magallanes province. Facing the Straits of Magellan and Tierra del Fuego, this city is the principal departure point for cruises and flights to Tierra del Fuego, to the Canal Beagle, Isla Navarino, Cape Horn and Antarctica.
Mountian climbing, trekking, kayaking, horseback riding, rafting, thermal spas, fly-fishing, canopying and rappelling are only some of the great adventurous activities you can find in Chile’s southern region.
Located between parallels 30° and 40° South latitude, few places in the world are as suitable for the production of wines as the vine and wine-growing valleys of Chile.
The Pacific Ocean breeze, the shelter of the Andes Mountain Range, perfectly balanced soils and clear as crystal waters going downwards the mountains, provide the ideal climate conditions for the cultivation of the noblest cépages, acting as natural barriers for the protection of the vineyards.
Geographic, soil and climate diversity along Chilean wine-growing valleys are the best conditions to elaborate unique wines that reflect a variety of origins and the complexity achieved in wines from different valleys that protect and boost each of the existent varieties.
Location Close to the city and South from Santiago, it limits at the East with the Andes Mountain Range and with the Coastal Mountain Range at the West. Its northern boundary is the Chacabuco mountain chain and at the South, Angostura de Paine.
This Valley is divided into three zones: High Maipo (650 meters over the sea level); Middle Maipo (550 and 650 m.) and Low Maipo (less than 550 m.)
Maipo plains receive the force of the waters coming downwards from the highest mountain range, bringing thaw waters, rich in oxygen and minerals that irrigate generously the vines along the water courses.
Climate Semi-arid Mediterranean, with great differences in temperature between day and night.
Summer temperature High Maipo presents a maximum temperature of 86°F. Here, night temperatures tend to be low, since they receive the drainage of the cold air coming from the Andes Mountain Range. This thermal range can go over 68°F daily, which favors tannins good ripeness, acidity preservation, sugar concentration, color, bouquet and wine body.
Yearly rainfall average 11.81 inches to 17.72 inches
Soil Loam with clay and lime textures. Abundance of stones in depth, giving the soil a great permeability.
Varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot.
Others: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in certain microclimates.
Location Begins 37.28 miles South from Santiago, between Rancagua city in the North, and Chimbarongo town in the South. The special features of this valley are privileged for the production of fine wines due to its climate and soil conditions, and allow the cultivation of a wide range of cépages. It is divided into two zones -Cachapoal and Colchagua- which have acquired a great international prestige, appropriate to the development of red varieties as Carmenere, Merlot and Shiraz.
Climate Hot Mediterranean and cold Mediterranean, according to the zone.
Summer Temperature Hot. Maximum temperature can reach 91.4°F, with a thermal oscillation of 69.8°F.
Yearly Rainfall Average 24.016 inches
Soil Clayish loam, sandy loam.
Varieties Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Malbec, Chardonnay and Carmenere.
Location Located 124.27 miles South from Santiago, Curicó is a zone of wide plains in which the vine and wine-growing has been developed due to the valley's favorable climate at the central zone of Chile, and also to the waters that supply Mataquito, Lontué, Teno and Claro rivers.
This Valley is privileged with a wide range of fine vines due to its climate and soil conditions that allow the production of a great variety.
Climate Hot Mediterranean and cold Mediterranean.
Summer temperature Maximum temperature can reach 95°F, with a thermal oscillation of 64.4°F.
Yearly Rainfall Average 27.56 to 31.5 inches. Rainfall in winter is irregular and presents a long dry season in which good weather is predominant.
Soil Clayish to clayish loam, and sandy loam.
Varieties Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Carménère.
Location Maule Valley is in the Chilean Central Valley’s most southern zone. Its name comes from Maule River, located at 156.59 miles South from Santiago City. This offers generous soils and a long lasting wine production tradition blended with selected varieties from our grape nursery, our modern technology and wine elaboration know-how.
Climate Mediterranean, with great differences in day and night temperatures.
Summer temperatures In summer, the maximum temperature can reach 93.2°F, with a thermal change of 62.6°F.
Yearly rainfall average 27.56 to 29.53 inches.
Soil Lime clayish, loam and sandy loam.
Varieties Shiraz, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Gewürztraminer.
Although there are no exact rules for wine & food matching, I must admit that wine is a great compliment to food. Components of wine such as acids, tannins and sugars interact with the food, enhancing the flavors of both.
In order to achieve a great balance, lighter bodied wines are better to match lighter bodied foods and fuller bodied wines match best heartier, more flavorful, richer and fattier dishes. Consider our Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Carmenere and Merlot as lighter bodied, while the Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon are fuller bodied.
Here are some of my tips for ideal wine & food pairing, however we must consider that another great match to Xplorador wines are family, friends and loved ones.
Excellent colored wines, well-structured tannins and good ageing potential. When mature they can acquire complex aromas and tastes that few other wines can match. In Cabernet Sauvignon we can discover complex and sophisticated aromas of cassis, plums and black pepper. With its oak aging it gains notes of cedar, tobacco and a hint of chocolate. On the palate we find a great body, length and persistence.
All these attributes lead us to associate Cabernet Sauvignon with the entire range of red meats: lamb, beef, as well as heavily spiced and rich in protein dishes. For cheese lovers, enjoy matching this wine with semi ripe cheese like Parmesan and Gruyere.
A perfect match with meats containing some fat. The fat coats the palate and pairs naturally with the youthful tannins of the wine.
Dishes with a keen flavour focus are often quite successful with Cabernet Sauvignon. Walnuts and pecans are particularly useful when pairing dishes to younger Cabs, as the tannins of the nuts will help reduce the impression of the tannins in the wine itself.
Chilean Merlots are friendly, fruity and light bodied, meant to be drunk young. Merlot recalls well-ripened red and black fruits that lend a sense of sweetness.
Merlot texture is more round than velvety, and the wine is a perfect companion for dishes with corn due to the produced sweetness. It also pairs well with pastas in general and can even be served with certain fatty fish, white meats and pork. Medium-weight dishes, rather than extremely heavy food, complement Merlot the most.
If the Merlot is particularly tannic, a little sprinkling of chopped walnuts or pecans as a garnish in the dish will help reduce the impression of the tannin.
Known as Chile’s emblematic variety, Carmenere wines achieve highly intense colors and expressive aromas such as herbs, autumn leaves, black pepper and cooked red pepper. A good Carmenere -as our Xplorador Carmenere- is determined by its aromatic expression, its well-rounded texture, and a pleasant sweetness on the palate.
Carmenere works well with sweet-and-sour accompaniments and also with typical home-style stews and casseroles. It also matches patés and duck liver or wild boar terrines, especially if they include a bit of pepper. Also great to enjoy with a relaxed sunday night pizza.
Malbec shows intense colors, tannins and freshness. The nose possesses a delicious acidity and tastes of ripe cherries on the palate.
It pairs very well with fatty meats such as beef or lamb, and with hearty rustic dishes such as lentils with sausage. Malbec is a very good gastronomic companion, contributing structure and freshness.
Sauvignon Blanc is a very crisp, aromatically expressive wine in which fresh aromas predominate, such as fresh-cut grass, herbs, citrus fruits such as lemon and grapefruit. Sauvignon Blanc is the natural partner for fresh shellfish, salads and lean white fish. This variety is the best white wine choice for many salads, soups, and green vegetable dishes.
Sauvignon Blanc matches well with foods that are aromatic, higher in acidity, and spicier than most. It works well with many appetizers and first courses since it’s light to medium bodied and sets the stage for fuller-bodied whites and heartier reds to follow.
Use fresh herbs whenever possible with Sauvignon Blanc. They help complement the natural herbal quality in the wine.
A pale straw yellow wine of a marked fruit expression with predominance of white peach, pear and some light banana aromas. Chardonnays are wines to enjoy before dinner, with light fish, white meats and pastas with creamy sauces. In addition to a wide variety of appetizers, richer seafood, shellfish, and poultry dishes, Chardonnays pair nicely with many veal and pork entrées, particularly when prepared more simply so that the wine doesn’t fight with complex ingredients.
Butter and cream love this variety, but you may not love them every time you open a bottle.
Spicy dishes (with chiles) accentuate the alcohol and oak in most Chardonnays, and therefore should be avoided.
