Syrah Takes Top Honors at Wines of Chile Awards

SANTIAGO, CHILE - The 9th Annual Wines of Chile Awards came to a close last night, resulting in 17 trophies being awarded to the country's best wineries. For the third consecutive year, a Syrah took home the Best in Show distinction, an honor awarded to Tamaya Winemaker's Selection 2010 Syrah.

The Chicago Tribune's Bill St. John was the sole American judge in a group of esteemed international palates hailing from nine countries including Brazil, Canada, Chile, Hong Kong, Norway, Singapore, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

The judging panel selected two Rieslings, a Sauvignon Blanc and a Chardonnay as the winners in the white categories, while Cabernet Franc, Carignan, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenere led the red categories. The trophy-winning wines represented the vast diversity of Chile's grape-growing regions and lauded the achievements of wines from northernmost Elqu� Valley all the way down to B�o-B�o.

"This is the second year that we've invited judges from multiple countries," said Lori Tieszen, Executive Director,Wines of Chile, USA. "We feel the breadth of experience that this panel brought to the awards helped to reinforce Chile's incredibly diverse offerings and broad, international appeal."

Chile has long been well-known for its Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere (a grape almost exclusively grown in Chile) and more recently, its successes with Sauvignon Blanc. To see varieties such as Carignan, Riesling, Syrah and Cabernet Franc among the top awards this year further demonstrates Chile's investment in discovery-exploring new terroirs and experimenting with different grape vines-and diversity.

The Best in Category Winners of Annual Wines of Chile Awards 2011:

Sparkling: Miguel Torres Santa Digna Estelado 2010

Sauvignon Blanc: Vi�a San Pedro Castillo de Molina Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2011, Elqu� Valley

Chardonnay: Tamaya Reserva Chardonnay 2010, Limar� Valley

Other Whites (1): Casa Marin Miramar Vineyard Riesling 2009, San Antonio Valley

Other Whites (2): Concha y Toro Terrunyo Riesling 2011, Casablanca Valley

Ros�: Vi�a Leyda Loica Vineyard Pinot Noir Ros� 2010, San Antonio Valley

Pinot Noir: Undurraga Terroir Hunter Leyda Pinot Noir 2010, San Antonio Valley

Syrah (1): Cono Sur 20 Barrels Limited Edition Syrah 2009, Limar� Valley

Syrah (2): Mayu Reserva Syrah 2009, Elqu� Valley

Syrah (3): Tamaya Winemaker's Selection Syrah 2010, Limar� Valley

Carmenere: Casa Silva Do�a Dominga Gran Reserva Andes Vineyard Carmenere 2010, Colchagua Valley

Cabernet Sauvignon: Hacienda Araucano Gran Araucano Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Colchagua Valley

Red Blend: Tamaya MCS Reserva 2010, Limar� Valley

Other Reds (1): Gillmore Hacedor de Mundos Cabernet Franc 2008, Maule Valley

Other Reds (2): Santa Ema Amplus Carignan 2009, Cachapoal Valley

Late Harveset: Cono Sur Cosecha Noble 2010, B�o B�o Valley

Best in Show: Tamaya Winemaker's Selection Syrah 2010, Limar� Valley

Best Value White: Vi�a San Pedro Castillo de Molina Sauvignon Blanc 2011, Elqu� Valley

Best Value Red: Porta Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, Aconcagua Valley

Wines of Chile is an organization committed to promoting the quality and image of Chilean wine throughout the world. It has offices in Santiago, London, and New York, as well as representatives in Canada, Ireland, and Denmark. WOC also works closely with ProChile to develop and offer promotional and educational programs in Asia, Latin America and Europe. Wines of Chile's 92 member wineries belong to Vinos de Chile and represent 92% of Chile's bottled wine exports.