# Diablo Dark Red (2023)

- **Producer:** Viña Concha y Toro S.A.
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Syrah, Malbec, Merlot
- **Region:** Maule Valley, Chile
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.5%
- **Average price:** €12
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 15–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** blackberry, cherry, raspberry, strawberry, vanilla, chocolate, smoke, caramel, toffee

## About this wine

Diablo Dark Red is a bold, disruptive release from the legendary Chilean producer Viña Concha y Toro. Sourced from the Maule Valley, this wine pays homage to the 19th-century legend of Casillero del Diablo, where the estate's founder, Don Melchor, spread rumors that the devil guarded his private cellar to deter thieves. Today, Diablo stands as a modern, highly approachable brand designed to bridge the gap for casual wine lovers, offering a smooth, fruit-forward experience from one of Chile's most historic winegrowing regions.

## Interesting facts

- The wine is aged for a highly specific period of exactly 6 months, 6 weeks, and 6 days, playing into the brand's devil-themed marketing.
- It is officially certified vegan by the European V-Label, reflecting a portfolio-wide commitment by producer Concha y Toro.
- The brand is inspired by a 19th-century legend where the winery founder claimed the devil lived in his cellar to stop locals from stealing wine.

## Food pairing

This medium-dry, full-bodied red wine thrives alongside rich, smoky, and slightly sweet dishes. The residual sugar (16 g/L) and soft tannins perfectly complement the sweet-and-savory profile of BBQ sauces, caramelized meats, and charred proteins. Additionally, its chocolate and vanilla undertones make it a rare red wine that pairs beautifully with dark chocolate desserts.

## Wine making process

The grapes for Diablo Dark Red are sourced from selected vineyards in the Maule Valley, including the Lourdes and Quebrada de Agua estates, featuring clay-loam and alluvial soils. After a precise machine harvest at optimal ripeness, the grapes are fully destemmed and fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. The defining element of its production is the maturation process: the wine is aged for exactly 6 months, 6 weeks, and 6 days—a playful nod to the brand's devilish theme. This aging takes place in a combination of American oak (75%) and French oak (25%) barrels of various uses, with approximately 15% new wood, before final blending and bottling.