Whether you’re a seasoned oenophile or an adventurous wine lover looking to explore new horizons, Chile’s cool coastal wines offer an exciting journey of discovery and delight. Along Chile’s extensive cool coastline, an exciting wine scene is emerging and the award winning wines from Viviana Navarrette from Viña Leyda are leading the way. These wines are available to be purchased across Canada.
As the global demand for fresh, lively and vibrant wines continues to grow, Chile’s cool coastal regions are poised to impress. With its diverse terroir, commitment to quality, and unwavering dedication to craftsmanship and sustainability, Chile’s Leyda Valley is characterized by its proximity to the Pacific Ocean, where the maritime influence plays a crucial role in shaping the climate and terroir. This diverse coastal landscape provides winemakers with unique opportunities to cultivate grapes that thrive in cooler conditions, resulting in wines that capture the essence of their terroir.
Pioneers in Leyda Valley
Refreshing and vibrant wines from the Leyda Valley, specifically Viña Ledya, have been gaining recognition on the international stage, earning praise from critics and wine enthusiasts alike. This small yet remarkable wine region, located just a stone’s throw from the Pacific Ocean, boasts a distinctive terroir that imparts unparalleled character to its wines. From crisp, mineral-driven whites to elegant, expressive reds, Leyda Valley wines offer a captivating journey through the diverse and dynamic landscape of Chilean winemaking. Viña Ledya has been a pioneer in the valley, creating the DO and crafting world-class cool climate wines.
Consistently the most awarded coastal winery of Chile, Leyda wines have secured the “Top 100 and Top 100 Best buys in Wine Enthusiast 2023 edition” for Lot 21 2022 and Coastal Vineyards Las Brisas Pinot Noir 2022 respectively, and 94 points in Decanter Magazine for the Sauvignon Blanc Reserva 2022”. With a focus on sustainable viticulture and minimal intervention in the cellar, the wines of Viña Leyda let the true character of the grape shine through in their final taste and style.
A wine region built on sustainability 83% of wine exported from Chile is Certified Sustainable and Sauvignon Blanc is the most important white variety planted. The cool maritime influence helps to preserve the natural acidity and freshness of the grapes, resulting in wines that are vibrant, aromatic, and impeccably balanced. Additionally, the coastal fog that blankets the vineyards in the mornings provides a protective shield against excessive sunlight, allowing for gentle ripening and the development of nuanced flavors.
Winemaking excellence
From the beginning of her career, Viviana Navarette, the winemaker at Viña Leyda was drawn to Leyda’s terroir – both because of its potential and because of the incredible qualities the wines were showing. She finally became Head Winemaker for Viña Leyda in 2007 and her mission is to craft the finest cool-climate wines in Chile. She is now one of the most renowned and acclaimed winemakers in South America. In 2017, she was ranked among the Best Pinot Noir Winemakers in Chile by Wine Spectator. Then in 2018, she was named as one of the 10 Leading Women in the Wine Industry by the prestigious US magazine, Wine Enthusiast. Meanwhile, she featured in Wikén magazine as one of Chile’s 3 most influential winemakers. She was also named “Winemaker of the Year” by the British critic, Tim Atkin MW, who also selected Viviana as the best winemaker in Chile in his 2020 report.
Viviana’s winemaking philosophy reflects the quality and unique conditions of each terroir and plot in each bottle. Her focus is on the cool-climate grape varieties that grow best in the Leyda Valley, striving for elegant, expressive, fruit-forward and complex styles.
Symphony of sauvignon
What sets Chilean Sauvignon Blanc apart is not only its expression of terroir but also the passion and dedication of its winemakers. With a commitment to sustainable viticulture and innovative winemaking techniques, Chilean producers are able to craft Sauvignon Blanc wines that showcase the purity of the fruit and the character of the land. A symphony of both citrus and terroir the zesty elegance of Chilean Sauvignon Blanc is captured in Leyda Valley. The proximity to the Pacific Ocean imparts a distinct saline and expressive aromatic character to the wines, adding complexity to their bright fruit flavors.
Perfection for pinot
Chile is said to be producing some of the most exciting Pinot Noir wines outside of Burgundy, France. Here, the climate is even cooler, with greater diurnal temperature variations and higher rainfall, creating a unique environment for growing Pinot Noir. Despite the challenges posed by the climate, winemakers in these regions have embraced the opportunity to craft distinctive Pinot Noir wines that showcase the purity of fruit and the influence of the terroir. While this finicky grape thrives in cooler climates like Burgundy, France, Chile’s diverse terroir has proven to be surprisingly well-suited for producing elegant and expressive Pinot Noir wines.
Pinot Noir stands out as a star performer in Leyda Valley. The cool climate and well-drained soils create ideal growing conditions for this finicky grape, producing wines that are delicately perfumed, with bright red fruit flavors, silky tannins, and a lingering, graceful finish
Sensational syrah
While still relatively under-the-radar compared to more established Syrah-producing regions, Leyda Valley is quickly gaining recognition for the quality and distinctiveness of its wines. A rising star of the region, Leyda Valley Syrah is characterized by its vibrant fruit flavors, elegant structure, and distinctive sense of place. In the glass, these wines exude aromas of blackberry, plum, and violet, with hints of black pepper, smoked meat, and olive tapenade adding layers of complexity. On the palate, they are medium to full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a bright, refreshing acidity that lends balance and finesse to the wine. While undoubtedly bold and expressive, these wines possess a remarkable elegance and restraint that positions Leyda Valley to take its place among the world’s premier Syrah-producing regions.
Pairings
One of the most exciting aspects of Chile’s cool coastal wines is their versatility at the table. Whether enjoyed on their own paired with a variety of dishes, these wines offer a perfect balance of acidity, fruitiness, and minerality that complement a wide range of cuisines. Sauvignon Blanc can be paired with fresh seafood to light salads and creamy cheeses. Pinot Noir from the region offers bright acidity and supple tannins making it an excellent companion for a wide range of dishes, from grilled salmon and roast chicken to mushroom risotto, charcuterie and cheese platters.Whether it’s with hearty dishes such as grilled meats, game, or aged cheeses, Leyda Valley Syrah offers itself to be a wonderful partner.
In the world of wine, few regions can rival the distinctive character and undeniable charm of Leyda Valley. From its cool climate and diverse terroir to its signature varietals and growing reputation, Leyda Valley wines offer a captivating glimpse into the dynamic landscape of Chilean winemaking. These wines are sure to leave a lasting impression, inviting wine lovers to embark on a truly unforgettable journey and insightful tasting experience that is new and exciting as well as memorable.
