Welcome back, wine friends! In Part 2 of our journey through Chile’s Maule Valley, we’re staying put in the rugged, dry-farmed interior to uncover even more of its rich viticultural story. Returning guest Derek Mossman Knapp—co-founder of Garage Wine Co. and 2024 Old Vine Hero award winner—joins us again to spotlight Carignan (or “Cariñena”), a grape once overlooked in Chile that’s now at the heart of a heritage-driven revival.
In this episode, we dive into VIGNO, the groundbreaking collective Derek helped found, uniting passionate producers committed to old vine, dry-farmed Carignan. We explore how this movement is preserving tradition, terroir, and time through strict practices and deep respect for the land—and how it’s putting some of Chile’s most soulful wines on the global map.
It’s a rich, thoughtful conversation about legacy, collaboration, and the power of working with nature, not against it.
If you want to skip ahead:
02.40: Discussion of Carignan (Cariñena) and its role in the blend
04.27: Talking about and tasting the Cru Truquilemu 2019 - Vin Coqnito £58 (2018)
06.00: Vineyards' inheritance history helps trace vineyard origins
07.30: Small batch fermentation methods and neutral barrels
09.30: The value of separating lots and testing over vintages
11.00: Growing interest in Cru wine due to critical acclaim
14.25: Discussion of the Empedrado DO; coastal freshness
16.01: Clarifying Maule’s geography; part of Southern Chile
16.48: Climate differences in Maule vs. Santiago (seasonal shifts)
18.00: Alcohol and balance - challenging the UK’s fixation on lower ABV and bottle weight
19.00: Regenerative viticulture - using compost teas, no-till methods, and soil health trials
21.00: Myth of poor soils - overstressed vineyards are being replanted before reaching full maturity
23.30: Vineyard revival - greener canopies, improved shading, and resistance to heat
24.07: Certification challenges - paperwork burden limits organic certification for small producers
25.00: Verification vs. certification; Allan Savory’s philosophy on soil testing and real change
28.44: Is Carignan a “complete grape”, like Cabernet Sauvignon? Questioning completeness and relation to alcohol
29.00: Carignan initiative, collaborative DO for identity and quality; unique in Chile
30.33: Chile's bulk wine success created a consumer price ceiling
31.13: VIGNO labeling rules: VIGNO must be prominent on the bottle
32.11: VIGNO evolution: from 65% Carignan minimum to 85%
33.13: Vineyard collaboration: producers share technical knowledge
34.00: Baron Philippe de Rothschild joins VIGNO, signaling broader acceptance
35.55: Carignan vs País — where would Derek place his bet for the future?
Any thoughts or questions, do email me: janina@eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk
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Or come say hi at www.eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk
Until next time, Cheers to you!
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