2023 El Principal Calicanto

Viña EL Principal belongs to the absolute top from South America - Chile and that is not surprising because the house was founded in 1993 by partners Jorge Fontaine Aldunate, owner of the El Principal estate, and Jean Paul Valette, French winemaker and former owner of the famous Premier Grand Cru Classé Château Pavie in Saint-Émilion. Today, the owner is the Said Sandal Family and the winery is of Chile's most exclusive and premium with only 4 wines, but a range of the highest quality wines that reflect the spirit and typicity of Chilean terroir. The hand, tradition and experience of the Valette family of Château Pavie is reflected in every element and the style (and choice of grape variety) has an inextricable Bordelaises St Emillion twist but in the end that is not surprising given the background. The terroir of El Principal, located at the foot of the Andes mountain range in the Andean part of the Maipo Valley (DO Maipo Andes) was the perfect place for their project.

There are many factors that contribute to the uniqueness of Viña El Principal wines, but arguably one of the most important is the exceptional terroir. Today the estate is located in the Valle de Alto Maipo (Maipo Andes) on the slopes of
The oenology of Viña El Principal has been developed from the vineyard. These wines are produced with grapes grown exclusively on site where the vineyards are continuously studied and analyzed with regard to plant physiology and their relationship to the terroir in order to identify and perfect the best blocks and in this way the highest quality raw materials. All harvests are done manually, with controlled productions and careful selection of clusters, both in the field and in the warehouse. Later, we undergo a careful process of traditional Bordeaux fermentation and aging in oak barrels, resulting in a unique wine that reflects the elegance and identity of the terroir.

The wines are made exclusively with grapes grown in our own vineyards where we have full control over production, harvesting the grapes by hand and selecting them first in the vineyard and then again in the winery. The wines are carefully crafted using traditional techniques and aged in French oak. This results in wines with unique characteristics that reflect the elegance and identity of El Principal's terroir.

The wine company's name is named after Chief Picunche Andetelmo, "El Principal", the lord of the lands that make up the terroir, in the foothills of the Andes Mountains in the Maipo Andes Valley. His visionary and peaceful nature earned him the respect of the Spanish conquerors, initiating a history of openness and exchange that continues to this day. The spirit of Andetelmo lives on in the wines, which express all the nobility and quality of a unique terroir.

The winemaker of Viña EL Principal is Marco Puyo. Marco is a household name in international viticulture. He is an agricultural engineer and winemaker, a graduate of the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, has worked in major Chilean wineries for 29 years, giving him a detailed knowledge of the different "terroirs" of Chile. At the international level, he harvested grapes in Bordeaux, Champagne and Burgundy in France, Napa in the United States and the Uco Valley in Argentina. Since December 2020 he is Executive Consultant and Winemaker of Viña El Principal.

Located in South America, the country of Chile is one of the New World wine countries and is the ideal country to grow excellent wine. Among other things, the large temperature differences between day and night, the relatively high degree of humidity of the ocean and the many hours of sunshine provide the perfect conditions for good wine-growing opportunities. In Chile you will find many famous wineries, such as Marnier Lapostolle, Larose Trintaudon and Almaviva-Rothschild. These wineries take care of the many top wines made in this country.

The wines made in this country mostly come from the French grape varieties, but there is also one grape variety, the Carmenère, which originally comes from France, but is now grown much more in Chile. This is because it was long thought that the Carmenère, who came from Bordeaux to Chile in the 19th century, was extinct. However, it turned out in 1994 that this grape still existed and grew in Chile. At the moment, the Carmenère is therefore a Chilean specialty that tastes like a firm Merlot.

In Chile you will find four large areas where wine is produced. These are Aconcagua, the Coquimbaregio, the Region Sur o Meridional and the Valle Central . One of the best of these four is the Aconcagua wine region. This wine region is divided into two regions namely the Valle de Casablanca and the Valle del Aconcagua. The first region is located near the sea and has a cool and humid climate. The second region, Valle del Aconcagua is located in an area surrounded by high mountains and you will find a Mediterranean climate here. The grape most commonly used for wine production is the Cabernet Sauvignon. This grape is used in 47% of the total wine production. The Cabernet Sauvignon, together with the Carménère and the Merlot, are the most popular grapes used for making red wine in Chile. The grapes that are used for white wine in Chile are mainly Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.

Red wine is made from blue grapes. The wines get their dark colour from the skin of the grape, which ferments with the grape juice. The intensity of the colour is determined by how long the juice has matured; a young red wine will have a somewhat purple colour, while older wines tend to be more orange or brown-red.

With around 10,000 varieties of grapes worldwide, you can go in all directions.

The most well-known blue grapes are Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Syrah / Shiraz.

Types of red wine

There are many different types of grapes with different characteristics and aromas. The differences within grape varieties are due to the difference in climate, the soil where the vines are planted, and the amount of sun.

The end result is in the hands of the winemaker. During the process from juice to wine, the winemaker still has a lot of options to change the final product into what he wants to put on the market.

The upbringing of the wine plays a major role in this. After fermentation, the process of raising and maturing the wine begins. There are many options for influencing the wine, but the most well-known concerns the ageing in wood.

If the winemaker chooses to raise the wine on wood, many things come into play. The first choice is whether new or older barrels will be used. Older, used barrels release less or no more aromas and tannins, but they still have an oxidative function. New wood barrels let in dosed oxygen and ensure that the wine has aromas and tannins. This is more intense with smaller barrels than with large wooden barrels.

Dry red wine

The most famous red wine is a dry red wine. The number of grape varieties and different taste profiles are enormous. There is a nice glass of red for every moment.

Sweet red wine

Just like sweet white wine, there is sweet red wine too! They are a lot rarer than dry red wines. If you want to try something different, it's definitely worth a try.

Alcohol-free red wine

Non-alcoholic wine is becoming more and more popular. Whether it is red non-alcoholic wine, white non-alcoholic wine, or sparkling non-alcoholic wine, more and more attention is being paid to it. Perfect for a cosy drink during pregnancy, or during a non-alcoholic month!

Red wine Gift

Red wine is fun to give, and even more fun to receive! Grandcruwijnen has ready-made wine gifts to make your gift recipient happy ;)

If you have your eye on a bottle of wine, at Grandcruwijnen we also have gift packaging to complete your gift! If you've found something you like, you can easily add a gift card during checkout.

Buy red wine online

At Grandcruwijnen you can easily buy red wine online. In our range, you will find products from the well-known grape varieties. If you want to buy a nice red wine, you have come to the right place at Grandcruwijnen. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact us!

The cabernet franc is used to make red wine, this blue grape is the predecessor of the well-known cabernet sauvignon and grows in the cooler places in the Bordeaux and Loire region. Often the Cabernet Franc grape is blended with the Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes.

All about the Cabernet Franc grape

The little brother of the Cabernet Sauvignon; the cabernet franc! The French blue grape is used for making red wine. They are thick-skinned grapes and are grown in France, mainly the Loire and Bordeaux. The grape is often blended with cabernet sauvignon and merlot grapes.

In the Loire, the cabernet franc performs all by itself and ages in stainless steel or large barrels of old wood. In Bordeaux, the grape has to share the bottle with merlot and cabernet sauvignon.

The cabernet franc does well in relatively cool climates. Outside of France, the grape is grown in Northern Italy, California, and Hungary. The grape has an average ripening period and likes calcareous clay soil. Sandy soil is also possible, but then there must be sufficient moisture in the soil.

The grapes are smaller grapes with fewer tannins and slightly more acidity than its brother, the Cabernet Sauvignon.

Aromas in the Cabernet Franc grape

They may be smaller grapes, but they have thick skin. The skin contains a lot of tannins in the wine. The most common flavors are:

• Blackberries
• Strawberry
• Pepper
• Tobacco
• Green pepper

When the Cabernet Franc has been aged in wood, it is a powerful wine with tannins. In warmer regions, the Cabernet Franc grape becomes a sweeter grape with more fruit notes. The more sunlight and heat a grape receives, the higher the amount of sugar in the grape. This creates wines with a higher alcohol percentage!

Wine and food: Cabernet Franc wine

The firm tannins and high acidity make this grape great with food. Great combinations are:

• Grilled tuna steak (with the lighter versions of this wine)
• Calf
• Spicy risotto

Do you already have a dish in mind, but you don't know which wine goes with it? Grandcruwijnen has a smart sommelier option. You enter the ingredients of the dish, and we guarantee a good match for the dish!

How long should you keep a Cabernet Franc?

These wines can be stored for a very long time because the wines have a high tannin content. In short; the higher the tannin content, the longer you can keep the red wine. With a longer time in the bottle, the tannins soften, and the wine forms a wonderful balance between all the aromas, tannins, and acidity.

Grandcruwijnen always displays a drinking window. With each wine, you can see in which years the wine has the best potential!

I would like to buy a Cabernet Franc wine

A cabernet franc is a wine that every wine drinker must taste! Grandcruwijnen has cabernet franc wines for every budget. Would you like to find out more about the grape or a specific recommendation? Please feel free to contact us!

Cabernet Sauvignon is a red grape variety. The Cabernet Sauvignon is a very well-known grape and gives a full flavour and a dark colour. The ripening process is very important.

The Cabernet Sauvignon grape

Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the world's most recognized grape varieties for red wine. The grapes are grown in almost every major wine-producing country in a wide spectrum of climates, from Australia, Lebanon's Bekaa Valley, to even China. 

Although the grapes are grown worldwide, most Cabernet Sauvignon grapes come from France, Chile, Australia and South Africa.

The Cabernet Sauvignon grape ripens late, which is why it thrives best in warm climates. In Bordeaux it is just fine, especially in the relatively warm Entre-Deux Mer and on the dry gravel soils of Médoc and Graves. 

What does a Cabernet Sauvignon wine taste like?

The Cabernet Sauvignon is the most well-behaved boy in the vineyard. He rarely abandons his owner. A Cabernet Sauvignon always gives scents and flavors of blackcurrant and spicy aromas. The difference of which aromas emerge is decided during the maturation process. If a Cabernet Sauvignon is aged in small wooden barrels, then more aromas of coffee, spices and toast will come to the fore.

What temperature should you drink Cabernet Sauvignon?

Over the occasion, a red wine should be drunk at a temperature slightly cooler than room temperature. A Cabernet Sauvignon's ideal serving temperature is 16°C, but the aromas of the wine will come out well between 15 and 18°C. 

Syrah, also called Shiraz, is a dark-skinned red wine grape variety known for producing bold, full-bodied wines with intense flavors. Here's what you need to know about this grape:

Origin

Syrah's origins date back to the Rhône Valley in France, especially in regions such as Hermitage and Côte-Rôtie. It is one of the most important grapes in the renowned wines of the Northern Rhône. The exact origins of the grape are still debated, but it is believed to have ancient roots in the Middle East. However, genetic research shows that the grape originates from two grape varieties from southeastern France - Dureza and Mondeuse blanche

The taste of Syrah

The wines are known for their rich, dark fruit flavors such as blackberry, black cherry and plum. They often have notes of black pepper, smoked meat, violet and sometimes earthy undertones. The flavor profile can vary depending on factors such as climate, soil and winemaking techniques. In cooler climates this grape produces wines with more pepper and floral notes while in warmer climates it produces richer and fruitier notes, sometimes with coffee and chocolate notes. It pairs well with grilled meat, especially lamb and beef, in dishes such as stews or on the barbecue. It also goes well with cheeses such as aged cheddar or blue cheese.

Characteristics of Syrah

Syrah is known for its adaptability to various soil types and climates, making it a sustainable choice for vineyard cultivation. Additionally, many wine producers are adopting sustainable and organic practices in both vineyard management and winemaking.

Many Syrah wines have excellent aging potential, particularly those from the Northern Rhône. With proper cellaring, they can develop more complexity and soften over time, while retaining their fruitiness and structure.