Viu Manent, 'Tiny Trials' Chardonnay, Costa Colchagua 2020

'Tiny Trials' Chardonnay, Costa Colchagua 2020, Viu Manent

Colchagua Coast, Chile

Grape Variety: Chardonnay

Alcohol: 14% ABV

The Story

Viu Manent is a Chilean winery owned by the Viu family. It was founded in 1935 when the Catalonian immigrant Miguel Viu-García and his two sons Agustín and Miguel Viu-Manent founded Bodegas Viu in Santiago de Chile. 

Viu Manent wines are made with grapes from their own properties in the Colchagua Valley in Chile’s Central Zone, 130 km (80 mi) southeast of the capital, Santiago. The winery’s 254 hectares (627 acres) are divided among vineyards in San Carlos, La Capilla, and El Olivar.

“Tiny Trials” is the result of Viu Manent’s enthusiasm for innovaton - exploring the most unique and radical spots, with soils and climatic influences that determine the style of the wine. This, together with small batch, careful vinifications, focuses on highlighting the grape variety and the pronounced influence of the origin, allowing us to produce these pure wines of outstanding character.

Vineyard & Winemaking

The grapes for this wine comes from a specific block of a vineyard in the Litueche sector near the coastal border of the northern extreme of the Colchagua Valley, 18 kilometers from the Pacific Ocean. The proximity of the sea provides a strong maritime influence that enables the grapes to ripen slowly and reach great quality potential. 

Granitic hillside with high percentage of quartz and iron, that gives a red colour to the soil and lends complexity, freshness and deepness to the wine.

The grapes are hand harvested. 100% of the grapes were whole cluster pressed. Alcoholic
fermentation was done exclusively with native yeast and lasted approximately 2 weeks
at 16–21ºC. The first third of the fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks, then
moved into used French oak barrels to finish the process. The wine then remained on
the lees, which were stirred every 2 weeks to obtain greater silkiness and body. 100% of the blend was fermented in previously used French oak barrels for 12 months.

Tasting Notes:

Bright yellow in colour with glints of green. On the nose the wine is elegant and complex,
with aromas that call citric notes, white flowers and saltiness. On the palate the wine is
silky and generous, but at the same time vibrant, fresh and balanced with a deep, salty
and delicate finish.

Cellaring & Service

Cellaring Potential: 5-8 years  

Serving Temperature: 10-12°C

Allergens: This wine contains sulphites