# Aura Reserva Carménère (2023)

- **Producer:** Viña MontGras
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Carménère
- **Region:** Valle del Colchagua, Chile
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.5%
- **Average price:** €10
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** blackcurrant, blackberry, blueberry, cherry, bell pepper, black pepper, vanilla, chocolate, coffee

## About this wine

Viña MontGras was founded in 1993 by brothers Hernán and Eduardo Gras together with Cristián Hartwig in Chile's renowned Colchagua Valley. The estate quickly established itself as a leading producer of quality Chilean wine while pioneering sustainable viticultural practices, earning Certified B Corporation status. The Aura Reserva range highlights the specific microclimates and fertile soils of Colchagua, crafting approachable and expressive wines focused on Chile's iconic variety, Carménère.

## Interesting facts

- Carménère was considered extinct following 19th-century phylloxera until rediscovered thriving in Chile in 1994.
- Viña MontGras earned the IWSC Chilean Winery of the Year award within just ten years of founding.
- Viña MontGras is a Certified B Corporation dedicated to environmental sustainability and regenerative farming.

## Food pairing

Carménère's plush tannins, vibrant fruit, and natural herbal complexity make it a outstanding match for savory meats and roasted vegetables. The subtle green pepper notes inherent to Carménère naturally harmonize with herbs, chimichurri, and tomato-based sauces, while the moderate tannin structure cuts through rich pork and beef dishes without overpowering them.

## Wine making process

Grapes are harvested at optimal phenolic ripeness from selected parcels within the Colchagua Valley. After gentle destemming, the fruit undergoes temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel vessels to maintain primary varietal aromas and fruit clarity. To enhance texture and balance without overwhelming the fruit, approximately 10% to 30% of the wine is aged for five months in French oak barrels prior to blending and bottling.