It is March 19, 2009. My trip in Chile just ended, I’m still thinking about it continuously as it was so impressive. But I do not have enough time to relive my memories, because another exclusive wine event is on the planning. I’m invited to attend the Vinexpo in The Hague. When I arrived at the Churchill Square in The Hague I was embraced by the springtime sunshine.

Colchagua Valley has a warm climate where at the construction of vineyards against the foot of the mountain, grape types such as Carmenère, Syrah, Petit Verdot and Merlot provides the best results. The vineyards will be irrigated in the colder areas which improves the canopymanagement. Mr. Montes Senior gave us a guided tour. He showed us the importance of water management, the sun exhibition and the grape type in producing a vineyard.

Did you know that Chile is one of the longest countries in the world? The country has a length of 5000 km and is approximately a 350 km wide. Chile is separated through three natural borders, the Andes Mountains, the Coast Mountains and by deserts. These natural borders ensure micro, macro and meso climates. Depending on these different climate areas, grape races can be planted with several different physiological maturation periods.

Every day again I could enjoy the dawn, when we enjoyed breakfast at 6:45o’clock. The sun came up against the skyline of the Andes Mountains, which resulted in a beautiful view of the mountains including its highest top, the Aconchagua rock. You can imagine how delicious the aromatic breakfast tasted and that it was a good basis for our challenge, the visit to the vineyards!