Unlocking Chile’s Heritage: Anglo Chilean Society’s Exclusive Ancestral Vines Tasting with Francesca Bridgewater and the Chilean Ambassador

by Redacción Andes Wines 27/05/2025 0 Comment

On 30th April 2025, the Anglo Chilean Society hosted a remarkable wine tasting event in central London, showcasing the rich heritage and dynamic future of Chilean wine. Entitled Chilean Terroir: A Journey Through Ancestral Vines, the evening was led by Francesca Bridgewater FCIM, European Editor for Andes Wines and a renowned international wine writer and broadcaster. The event was graced by the presence of Her Excellency Professor Ximena Fuentes Torrijo, Ambassador of Chile to the United Kingdom, underscoring the strong cultural and diplomatic ties between the two nations.

Offering guests an immersive journey through Chile’s ancestral grape varieties and award-winning wines, Francesca drew upon over two decades of global wine expertise to guide attendees through Chile’s distinctive terroirs and lesser-known expressions. The curated tasting featured rare grapes such as País and Torontel, shining a spotlight on Chile’s viticultural diversity and innovation. In the warm and convivial atmosphere of St Peter’s Church on Easton Square, guests sipped, savoured and connected over a shared appreciation of Chilean culture while enjoying expert insights into their origins, craftsmanship and the rising stars shaping Chile’s dynamic wine scene.

Wines of the Evening:

Viña Leyda Sauvignon Blanc 2021 – Showcasing Chile’s leading cool-climate viticulture near the Pacific, this wine bursts with vibrant freshness and crisp elegance
Naranjo Torontel Loncomilla Maturana 2019 – A deep dive into nearly 80-year-old vines, this wine is a striking symbol of Chile’s orange wine revival, crafted from an almost forgotten grape
Vinos Masintín País 2022 – Honouring small-scale, old-vine farming in Maule, this wine highlights the character of dry-farmed, bush-trained vines dating back to 1950 (95 points, Tim Atkin MW)
Ana-Maria Cumsille El Litre Cinsault 2022 – Elevating the historic vineyards of Itata, farmed using ancestral methods by Charles Rodriguez, this wine reflects deep respect for tradition
Toro de Piedra Gran Reserve Carignan 2021 – A bold expression of old-vine Carignan, offering structure, grip, and a compelling depth of flavour
Araucano Humo Blanco L’Atelier Carménère 2021 – Pure and expressive Carménère from the legacy of Bodegas François Lurton, demonstrating finesse and clarity
M l’entremetteuse Rouge-Gorge Carménère 2020 – A vivid example of Carménère’s potential when grown with care and minimal intervention, this natural wine comes from 100-year-old vines rooted in ochre clay.

[Tasting brochure: https://acceso.prochile.cl/difusion/difusion2025/abril/winetaste_uk/infodesk.pdf]

This journey through time and terroir traced ancient País and the rediscovered Torontel to bold, structured Carignan and Carménère, alongside vibrant cool-climate expressions of Sauvignon Blanc and Cinsault with each wine telling a story steeped in history, community and a legacy thoughtfully reimagined for the modern era.

The event also spotlighted the vital work of the Ancestral Vines Rescue Project, which goes far beyond vine preservation to embody cultural continuity, rural resilience, and a conscientious return to sustainable viticulture. By sharing these wines and their backstories, Chile is redefining how tradition is valued today, in celebrating ancestral vines and historic grapes that embody both resilience and renewed relevance.

The Anglo Chilean Society continues its mission of fostering cultural exchange and friendship between the UK and Chile through events like this, showcasing the very best of Chilean tradition, innovation and hospitality and proactively welcomes new members: https://www.anglochileansociety.org/