Casa Silva launches first sparkling wine

Chilean winery Casa Silva has produceded its first, super premium, sparkling wine, Fevor, using the traditional method.

The base wine, a blend of 50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Noir, has spent two years on its lees before disgorgement. The result is a complex wine with nutty and toasted bread aromas. The palate is full of freshness with finesse and elegance. Dominated by citric and mineral flavours it is ell balanced with good acidity and a long silky finish.

Mario Pablo Silva, MD of Casa Silva comments: “The name ‘Fervor’ symbolises the Silva Family’s passion and commitment as visionary pioneers in the search for the ideal terroir in the Cool Coastal Regions of the Colchagua Valley

“This new addition to our range of high-quality, terroir driven wines, is made from grapes grown in a very special corner of the Colchagua Valley. Influenced by both the Coastal Shadow of Lolol and the maritime climate of Paredones this is an ideal region for sparkling wine production. This together with the extensive sparkling wine making experience of our technical director Mario Geisse, has helped us produce a top quality sparkling wine which we are very proud of, offering the best possible expression of our land.”

Between 3,000-6,000 bottles will be produced per vintage with a small amount being exported to the UK and the majority of the wine being sold in Chile.
At present this is the only sparkling wine that Casa Silva have on the market but the producer is working on a new sparkling from its Lago Ranco estate in Chile's Bio Bio region and have the base wine, which will also undergo second fermentation in bottle.

According to Euromonitor International, wine has long been a niche alcoholic beverage in Chile, as younger generations prefer beer or spirits over wine. Sparkling wine is the exception with total volume sales increasing by 35% in 2012. The appeal of sparkling wine to younger generations helped spur this growth - especially young, professional women entering the workforce at record numbers and looking for a more glamorous drink. Producers are also gaining market share in the segment by changing packaging styles and improving the quality of the wine. 

Fervor (12.5abv) will be available in the UK later this year from Jackson Nugent Vintners priced at £25.

14 May 2013 - Felicity Murray