17 Oct 2023
This week’s Wine Times takes on an unusual pairing, combining a Chilean Pinot Noir with a unique Cheshire cheese, carefully selected by Ed, the owner and cheese expert at Fleetville Larder.
Chile is known for producing wines of exceptional value, and its wine industry has been growing rapidly over the years. The country has a diverse range of wine regions, each with its own unique terroir and microclimate. One of the most notable wine regions in Chile is San Antonio, which is located just 5km from the Pacific coast. The region is known for producing some of the most coastal wines in Chile.
The Producer – Espinos y Cardos
The Santa Macarena Pinot Noir 2020 (£12.00 a bottle) is produced by Espinos y Cardos, a winery that looks to craft subtle, pure expressions of classic international varieties from their two ranges. Focused on vineyards in Casablanca and Curico, Los Espinos combines cutting edge winemaking with regional typicity to provide a range that is at the beating heart of the country. This outstanding single-vineyard Pinot Noir is crafted from fruit sourced from one of the most coastal vineyards in Chile, situated in the Leyda region just south of the port of San Antonio.
Winemaking process
The production of Santa Macarena Pinot Noir involves meticulous attention to detail. Grapes are hand-picked early in the morning and further into the wine making process it spends six months in French oak barrels, which accounts for its subtle oak influence.
This oak aging process complements the wine’s natural attributes, resulting in a wine that’s ready to be enjoyed upon release.
Aromas and taste
The maritime influence on the vineyards, including morning mists and spring frosts, contributes to the wine’s distinctive character.
Santa Macarena Pinot Noir is a bright, aromatic, and fresh wine with a subtle hint of oak. It places a strong emphasis on delicious red fruit flavours, making it incredibly approachable and enjoyable.
This Pinot Noir has a seriously cool character, reflecting the unique coastal terroir of San Antonio, Chile. Its deep red-purple colour pairs beautifully with delicate sweet red fruit flavours and aromas, creating a well-balanced and complex wine.
Pairing recommendations
Santa Macarena Pinot Noir is an extremely versatile wine that pairs wonderfully with various dishes.
Whether you’re indulging in salmon or duck, or enjoying pasta and fresh summer salads, this wine’s bright and fresh profile makes it a suitable companion for a wide range of culinary delights.
But given this has come from the Larder, it just had to be paired with a delightful cheese.
Matured in cloth for a minimum of 10 weeks, Appleby’s Cheshire is a classic example of an English territorial cheese. It is moist, crumbly and infinitely more-ish with a zesty taste and a long, lingering finish.
The traditional Appleby’s Cheshire recipe has been handed down through three generations of the Appleby family. The unique recipe has changed very little since the family began production in 1952 at Hawkstone Abbey Farm. Once made all over the North West of England, now there is only one cheesemaker making a clothbound unpasteurised Cheshire cheese.
I highly recommend heading to Fleetville Larder, where you can find both the Santa Macarena Pinot Noir and the Cheshire Cheese. It’s the perfect destination to explore the delightful world of wine and cheers pairings.
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