# Rústico Cinsault Viña Bouchon (2024)

- **Producer:** Viña Bouchon
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Cinsault
- **Region:** Valle del Itata, Chile
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.5%
- **Average price:** €14
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 15–16 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** raspberry, violet, cherry, strawberry, blueberry, orange, white pepper

## About this wine

The Rústico label is part of Viña Bouchon’s dedicated effort to resurrect and celebrate Chile’s ancestral, dry-farmed heritage grape varieties. Founded in 1887 by French winemaker Emile Bouchon, who emigrated from Saint-Émilion, the estate has evolved over four generations. Today, under the guidance of Julio Bouchon Jr., Juan Bouchon, and winemaker Christian Sepúlveda, the winery focuses heavily on sustainable viticulture and preserving historic, head-trained bush vines in the coastal-influenced Secano Interior of the Itata Valley.

## Interesting facts

- The Rústico label honors the historic horse-drawn plow used in vineyards too steep or tightly spaced for modern machinery.
- Grown on old, dry-farmed bush vines in ancient granitic soils rich in quartz, receiving zero artificial irrigation.
- Viña Bouchon was founded by French winemaker Emile Bouchon, who left Saint-Émilion for Chile in 1887.

## Food pairing

This light-to-medium-bodied Cinsault thrives on its vibrant acidity and low tannins. It pairs beautifully with lighter meats like poultry and pork, where its bright red fruit cuts through the fat without overpowering the dish. Its earthy, rustic undertones also make it an exceptional match for mushroom-based dishes and savory vegetarian options.

## Wine making process

Crafted with a minimalist philosophy, the grapes are 100% handpicked in small 12-kilogram crates to prevent premature crushing. After complete destemming and gentle pressing, the juice undergoes fermentation and skin maceration in temperature-controlled tanks using only native yeasts. To fully preserve the raw, vibrant, and soil-driven character of the old-vine Cinsault, the wine is kept entirely un-oaked, aging for 6 months in traditional concrete tanks before bottling.