doing better wines than ever,” claimed Santa Rita Estates export director Andres Lavados. “That said,” he admitted, “in some countries we lack a bit of character. We’re slowly working towards addressing that and trying things that are a bit different.”Among these changes Lavados highlighted a revamp of the group’s Terra Andina brand, which from its 2012 vintage has “changed completely”, from labels through to its “more easy to drink” style.
“It’s not a Chilean vibe, it’s a South American vibe,” Lavados told the drinks business as he outlined the brand’s five-strong range, which features a “Bold” Cabernet Sauvignon, “Scandalous” Carmenere and “Fresh” Sauvignon Blanc from Chile, as well as a “Rich” Argentine Malbec and finally a sparkling Moscato from Brazil.
While the latter country has recently enjoyed a flurry of interest from UK importers as a result of the impending FIFA World Cup and Olympic Games, Lavados identified a further commercial attraction. “Moscato is huge in the US,” he observed, adding: “It’s so different and a normal sparkling wine in Terra Andina is too serious – we needed something festive.”
Despite this US opportunity, Lavados acknowledged the challenge of finding a large market for this style in the UK, where “the legacy of France is very strong”, as well as Asia, which “is all about face and brands.”
Indeed, he stressed that the Terra Andina range was about adding charisma to Chile’s offering rather than advancing its fine wine effort. “We’re not going to send it to be rated; it’s not that kind of audience,” explained Lavados of the wine, which retails in the UK for around £9 through agent Berkmann Wine Cellars.
“I think of my nephew who is 20 and wants a bottle to take to a barbecue,” he continued, outlining the brand’s target audience. “He doesn’t want to drink what his dad drinks and is new to wine so doesn’t want something very tannic.”
In a similar vein, Lavados highlighted a new wine under the Santa Rita label, which saw its first commercial harvest this year and is due to launch at the end of 2013.
“It’s a different proposition,” he told db of the group’s first ever oak aged Sauvignon Blanc, which will form part of Santa Rita’s Floresta range.
“Chile is doing better wines than ever,” claimed Santa Rita Estates export director Andres Lavados. “That said,” he admitted, “in some countries we lack a bit of character. We’re slowly working towards addressing that and trying things that are a bit different.”
Among these changes Lavados highlighted a revamp of the group’s Terra Andina brand, which from its 2012 vintage has “changed completely”, from labels through to its “more easy to drink” style.
“It’s not a Chilean vibe, it’s a South American vibe,” Lavados told the drinks business as he outlined the brand’s five-strong range, which features a “Bold” Cabernet Sauvignon, “Scandalous” Carmenere and “Fresh” Sauvignon Blanc from Chile, as well as a “Rich” Argentine Malbec and finally a sparkling Moscato from Brazil.
While the latter country has recently enjoyed a flurry of interest from UK importers as a result of the impending FIFA World Cup and Olympic Games, Lavados identified a further commercial attraction. “Moscato is huge in the US,” he observed, adding: “It’s so different and a normal sparkling wine in Terra Andina is too serious – we needed something festive.”
Despite this US opportunity, Lavados acknowledged the challenge of finding a large market for this style in the UK, where “the legacy of France is very strong”, as well as Asia, which “is all about face and brands.”
Indeed, he stressed that the Terra Andina range was about adding charisma to Chile’s offering rather than advancing its fine wine effort. “We’re not going to send it to be rated; it’s not that kind of audience,” explained Lavados of the wine, which retails in the UK for around £9 through agent Berkmann Wine Cellars.
“I think of my nephew who is 20 and wants a bottle to take to a barbecue,” he continued, outlining the brand’s target audience. “He doesn’t want to drink what his dad drinks and is new to wine so doesn’t want something very tannic.”
In a similar vein, Lavados highlighted a new wine under the Santa Rita label, which saw its first commercial harvest this year and is due to launch at the end of 2013.
“It’s a different proposition,” he told db of the group’s first ever oak aged Sauvignon Blanc, which will form part of Santa Rita’s Floresta range.
