A Library Tasting of Franco, Chile’s Iconic Cabernet Franc

May 27, 2021 | Uncategorized

A private library (vertical) tasting of the 2008, 2009, and 2010 vintages of Chile’s icon Cabernet Franc, Franco, made by Los Maquis in the Colchagua Valley. This wine consistently receives over 92+ points from major wine publications and has the potential to age well over two decades. This is a unique opportunity to understand and taste these vintages in real-time with Los Maquis director Ricard Rivadeneira where we will dig into the terroir, climate, and how Los Maquis has taken Cabernet Franc in Chile to an iconic level. This is an inspiring gift for any wine collector, wine lover, wine-loving dad or husband, in your life.

*Includes access to private tasting and 3, 750cc wines in a wooden gift crate, all taxes, and shipping.

Cozy Up: South American Winter Reds

Sep 13, 2024 | Wine

When the temperature drops, there’s nothing like a wine that wraps you in warmth and comfort—cue our selections to accompany this holiday season. A rich, velvety Malbec and an earthy Carmenere blend are true winter companions that tango perfectly with hearty meals or quiet evening in. Whether you’re curling up with a book or hosting a festive gathering, they are easy-to-drink yet deep, an intriguing duo.

Matias Riccitelli Tinto de la Casa 2019: This rich, modern Malbec is like the Meryl Streep of wines—elegant, versatile, and captivating. Its deep purple color catches the eye, the floral and spicy aromas draw you in. Made from grapes grown in Mendoza’s Las Compuertas and Gualtallary regions (high altitude + minerality), it offers a perfect balance of freshness, soft tannins, and subtle oak. It is fun yet doesn’t take itself too seriously, making it a great candidate for any holiday occasion (and wine lover).

Gryphus Blend 2019: With nearly 6 years of evolution, this lush vino tinto is full of juiciness and balance. Made from a limited production of 4,400 bottles, this is not your typical Chilean red blend. Its uniqueness stems from the 50% Carmenere base with the unusual, and delicious, addition of 25% Petit Verdot and 25% Petite Syrah to add fruitiness, depth, and spiciness. With notes of dark fruits and berries, chocolate, vanilla, and smooth, silky tannins bound together by a bright acidity, it’s the perfect partner for pizza, pastas, soups, duck confit, and stews in the winter.

Both of these wines hit the holy wine trifecta of high acid, low alcohol and are driven by minerality (complexity) in addition to being sustainably grown by humans we know with minimal use of sulfites.

Here’s what’s included:

6 bottles (750cc) of wine: 3 of each wine*
Deliciousness and memories made with every sip

*Taxes calculated at checkout and there’s a flat fee of USD$35 for ground shipping within the continental US (per case of 6 bottles)

Terms & conditions of sales purchase. By purchasing, you agree to them.

Gabriel Glas StandArt Wine Glasses (2-glass set)

May 3, 2024 | Travel, Wine

Austrian machine blown crystal stemware. Exquisite design, maximum experience. Gabriel-Glas “one-for-all” universal glassware is designed to express the most subtle flavors and aromas of any wine varietal, from Cabernet to Champagne. A graceful and functional all-purpose glass, it’s the only stemware you need.

The product works like traditional wine glasses. The proprietary design of the glasses slightly decants the wine when swirled maximizing aromas and flavors.

Special Features

Standart (machine blown) is dishwasher safe for cleaning
Made from lead-free Austrian crystal.
66mm glass rim to concentrate aromas
Appealing curves for an instant decanting effect
Crafted to allow more surface-to-air contact
All purchases come in sturdy black gift box that protect during shipping and storage

Sizes

One size “one for all” universal size
Shipped as a set of 2 glasses.
Available in Standart (machine blown) version

Additional:

$12 Flat Rate shipping within the continental US included
Sales tax will be added at checkout based on your state of residence

Please note that this is VENDOR SHIPPED from Napa, California.

Holiday Library Magnums

Dec 10, 2021 | Wine

We got access to a couple of sweet library magnums (1.5L bottles) from a favorite producer in Chile’s high Maipo Valley, Vina Quebrada de Macul, with an amazing terroir that yields silky smooth, aromatic, herbaceous Cabernet Sauvignon that exudes a timeless style of well-crafted Chilean Cab. These wines give you the opportunity to savor two wines and vintage with 10 and 15 years of aging. They are both ripe to drink now.

Domus Aurea 2007: Born of the historic, exceptional 2007 vintage (one of the best in the last 20 years for red wines in Chile), this classic Cabernet blend is a reference among Chilean peers like Don Melchor, Almaviva, and the like. Loyally showcasing its terroir in the Quebrada de Macul section of the high Maipo, on the nose, the cassis will jump out and grab you first along with the menthol notes that are typical of this appellation. There are subtle touches of tobacco, vanilla, and sour cherry. On the palate, there’s more currant, leather, spice; it’s a dense wine that does well with several hours of decanting. After patiently waiting 14 years, it’s in the perfect drinking window now and can hold for another 3-5 years even. Ratings from 93-97 points.

Penalolen Cabernet Sauvignon 2011:This vintage in Chile was long and cool, which means the red wines were born with higher acid and a lovely vibrancy that made them age with grace and sophistication. This is always a favorite Cabernet among any wine crowd (lovers or connoisseurs) with bright and juicy red fruits, herbaceous aromas, and well polished, integrated tannins. Open it with abandon and let it flow. After a decade of mellowing out, it’s more elegant than ever and waiting to be drunk this season. Ratings from 89-92 points.

We are offering these two library magnums for $345 including shipping (if you are in Illinois, please add $30 for additional shipping costs). First come, first serve until our allocation runs out–we have less than a dozen available.

NOTE ON WINE PURCHASE POLICIES:-Within 2 days of e-mail invoice we will accept all returns without fees.-Up to 5 days after e-mail invoice any cancelled orders incur a 50% restocking/cancellation fee.-After 5 days of e-mail invoice (not the actual product shipping) we will not accept any returns as the order has been processed.If your wine appears to have a flaw or is corked, please write to us so we can resolve the issue asap. However, not liking a wine does not mean the product is ‘flawed’…please be kind with wine temperatures and decant when you can.

LC Collection Annual Membership

Nov 11, 2021 | Food, Wine

Annual Membership to the LC Collection includes:

Four seasonally themed ‘boxes’, one per quarter including three premium wines, and 3 gourmet ingredients
Shipping, handling, and sales tax
Members-only video platform to bring to life all the contents of the box
Specially curated selections of South America premium, small producer wines
First access to special online events with tastemakers and producers
First preference for booking Special Edition and Signature Journeys (group travel)

**All sales are final. Please refer to terms & conditions governing shipping in the US.

LC Collection Curated Holiday Wines

Nov 5, 2021 | Food, Wine

Bring South America and its fantastic wines to your holiday table this year. In this curated selection:

Albariño (Uruguay): Minerals, pear, and vanilla collide in deliciously zingy yet creamy albariño that’s made for an aperitivo. It was the first of its kind hailing from Uruguay (the grape is now booming there), it’s classical in style and pairs with everything from oysters to steamed clams, a beautiful cheese platter, or a salad course. Bonus? The bottle is a beauty, too.

Carmenere (Chile): This is one of the most elegant 100% Carmenere’s we’ve tried hailing from the micro-appellation of Apalta. Carmenere with its spicy, earthy, ripe undertones is the PERFECT partner for Thanksgiving turkey, roasted vegetables, sweet potatoes, and pretty much everything on the table. This particular version goes down like a smooth operator.

We are offering this as a special 4-bottle case for $199 including shipping (if you are in Illinois, please add $30). If you’d like to order a single case of 12, please purchase 3 cases and we can ship as a single. First come, first serve until our allocation runs out!

*All orders are shipped Ground so the last day for Thanksgiving orders to be received is next Friday!

LC Collection Founding Member Renewal

Aug 2, 2022 | Food, Wine

Annual Membership Includes:

Four seasonally themed ‘boxes’, one per quarter including three premium wines and three gourmet ingredients to pair with suggested recipes and uses
Specially curated selections of South America premium, small producer wines
Members-only video platform to bring to life all the contents of the box
First access to special online events with tastemakers and producers
First invitation for booking Special Edition and Signature Journeys in 2023-2024 (group trips)
Shipping, handling, and sales tax

**All sales are final. Please refer to terms & conditions governing shipping in the US.

Like Wine For Chocolate

Jan 19, 2024 | Wine

Como Vino para Chocolate…Like Wine for Chocolate…this February, and Valentine’s Day, sweeten your life with a couple of our direct import wines from small producers in Chile that pair brillantly with white & dark chocolate, respectively:

Trapi Handmade Chardonnay 2022: Born in the cold, southern vineyards of the Chilean lake district, this Chardonnay has more in common with Burgundy than its South America peers, partially because of Trapi’s dedication to working with the ‘golden’ lies, assuring a creamy texture without having to overoak. Notes of sweet lemon curd come together with a hint of pineapple and toasty cookies from neutral ok. While it pairs beautifully with savory dishes (nearly all seafood and poultry), why not try this with white chocolate or salted caramel bonbons? We think it may blow your mind.

Gryphus Blend 2019: With nearly 5 years of evolution already, this lush vino tinto is full of elegance and balance. Made from a limited production of 4,400 bottles, this is not your typical Chilean Cabernet blend. It’s 50% Carmenere with the unusual, and delicious, addition of 25% Petit Verdot and 25% Petite Syrah to add fruitiness, depth, and spiciness. With notes of dark fruits and berries, chocolate, vanilla, and smooth, silky tannins bound together by a bright acidity, it’s the perfect partner for red wine (and dark chocolate) lovers.

Both of these beauties hit the holy wine trifecta of high acid, low alcohol and are driven by minerality (complexity) in addition to being organically/sustainably grown by humans we know and love, vegan (no egg whites used to clarify), and minimal use of sulfites.

Here’s what’s included:

6 bottle-case (750cc) of wine: 3 Trapi Handmade Chardonnay, 3 Gryphus Red Blend
Taxes
Shipping & Handling within the continental United States**

**Terms & conditions of sales purchase. By purchasing, you agree to them.

Mother’s Day Wine Trio

May 3, 2024 | Wine

Mother’s Day Brunch is certainly a tradition. Perhaps this year, though, go beyond the sparkling wine and take your mom/wife/mother-figure on a ‘trip’ through the glass with these three delicious South American small producer wines:

Areyna Torrontes 2022: Hailing from the arid northwest of Argentina in high-altitude Salta, this dry, crispy wine is beautiful alone (or poolside) and ideal brunch wine. Because of this wine’s light, aromatic style, this wine needs to be served chilled at around 46-50F. It’s the perfect aperitivo wine.

Trapi Handmade Sauvignon Blanc 2022: Born in the cold, southern vineyards of the Chilean lake district, this zippy white wine is made from regenerative farming practices and organic grapes and will break with most of the South American Sauvignon Blancs you have tried. More Loire-esque than New Zealand in style, it’s full of citrus and mineral notes and veers lean and clean in your mouth. It’s so mouthwatering the bottle will disappear quickly…

All three of these beauties hit the holy wine trifecta of high acid, low alcohol and are driven by minerality (complexity) in addition to being organically/sustainably grown by humans we know and love, vegan (no egg whites used to clarify), and minimal use of sulfites.

Here’s what’s included:

3 bottles (750cc) of wine: 1 of each wine
Taxes
Shipping & Handling within the continental United States**

**Terms & conditions of sales purchase. By purchasing, you agree to them.

South American Holiday Bubbly

Dec 2, 2024 | Wine

This holiday season, elevate your celebrations with sparkling wines from Chile & Argentina as an accessible alternative to champagne and path of discovery into new wines. Made by two small producers who veer classical in their style, both bubblies are crafted with precision and aged to perfection with crisp minerality, vibrant citrus flavors, those ‘toasty’ notes we love, and a dryness that appeals to purists (and everyone else, too). Whether paired with oysters, creamy cheeses, or simply enjoyed as a toast, these wines are a fun twist for festivities.

Cruzat Nature Cuvee Reserve NV: From the iconic Cruzat winery in Mendoza, Argentina, the project of sparkling wine legend Pedro Grand, this blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay is pure deliciousness in a glass. Aged for 24 months on its lees and another 24 in the bottle, it’s wonderfully dry with just almost no residual sugar and zesty citrus notes, hints of brioche, and a savory, nuanced finish. Perfect for those who love clean, precise wines, it goes great with virtually everything from creamy cheeses to lobster or chocolate truffles.

Aquitania Sol de Sol Brut Nature NV: This sparkling wine is a shining example of why it’s been called the “Champagne of Chile.”French in style due to its founders yet hailing from southern Traiguén region, this bubbly embodies elegance and balance in every sip. A blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, it’s dry, crisp and has fine, persistent bubbles. With no added sugar and 24 months aging on the lees in French oak, it mirrors the sophistication of classic Champagne while showcasing the Chile’s distinctive minerality. What to pair? Anything, everything, nothing (enjoy it alone)!

Here’s what’s included:

6 bottles (750cc) of wine: 3 of each wine*
Deliciousness and memories made with every sip

*Taxes calculated at checkout. Flat fee of USD$35 for ground shipping within the continental US (per case of 6 bottles)

Terms & conditions of sales purchase. By purchasing, you agree to them.

South American Terroir: A Workshop

Aug 2, 2021 | Food, Wine

September 21, 2021 6:30-8pm EST

Join us for this workshop to dive into the Southern Cone’s wine-producing countries of Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay to explore the similarities and differences between the regions, history, soil, climates, grapes, and winemaking by tasting the marquee varieties of Carmenere, Malbec, and Tannat from a curated selection of premium bottlings by favorite boutique producers.

You’ll learn:

A clear understanding of an overall view of South American wine geography, growing regions and appellations, and grape varieties.
How to taste, and incorporate, these flagship wine varieties into your weekly wine from drinking them as young vintages to decanting, pairing with food, and cellaring.
Insights and tips on how to find small producers and identify great recent vintages in the region.
Cultural anecdotes, recipes, and first-hand stories from founder Liz Caskey
Perfect for beginners, wine lovers, or those in a ‘wine study’ group wanting to taste great examples of small producers.

What’s Included:

Three premium terroir wines (750cc x 3) selected from Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay (SRP of US$30-50/bottle)
90-minute workshop on South American wines. Held live virtually, join in real-time or later via the recording. There will be time for Q&A, too!
Worksheet with map, pairings, and tasting notes
Ground shipping to your home with special packaging to maintain wine temperature
Sales tax

Price: US$200 wines & workshop + $50 shipping, handling & sales tax

Expand your wine world, onboard your spouse and some wine-loving friends, and join us to ‘taste’ South America!

The Grande VinGarde Valise Suitcase (12 bottles)

Jan 12, 2024 | Travel

Fellow wine lovers and travelers, the VinGarde Valise will revolutionize the way you travel, with or without wine it’s amazing luggage! For a limited time, in celebration of VinGarde’s 10th anniversary, until December 31, 2024, there’s a special anniversary price available.

Here is why we love it and some of the features of the ‘Grande’ (12 bottle suitcase):

Travel with confidence: It’s so darn sturdy. The hard-shell construction comprised of 100% proprietary compound material comes complete with removable high-density patented foam inserts (and then more flat foam inserts for padding). The wine babies are safe!
Versatility: You can move wine, clothes, fragile items or all of the above. The Grande accommodates from 2 to 12 bottles of wine or spirit (750ml bottles). Simply remove one or more of the foam inserts for plenty of room for clothing and other travel items.
Wine suitcases fly FREE with Southwest and Alaska Airlines in the United States
Maneuverability: Lightweight with fantastic roll-in-all-direction Hinomoto wheels, it’s easy to manage even when full. We also love the handles to make it easy to grab off the luggage carrousel.
Other nice touches: Integrated top-mounted TSA compliant lock, reinforced double channel zipper, belts/straps for extra protection, lots of pouches/zippers inside.
10-year manufacturer’s limited warranty.
Designed in USA; made in China.

Dimensions:

Overall: 27″ x 17.75″ x 13.75″
Weight: 13.5 lb. (empty) Based on average 3 lb./ wine bottles, the suitcase weighs less than 50 lb. when fully packed. However, some icon Bordeaux bottles that are heavy will only let you pack to 10 bottles based on our experience.

Additional:

Comes in following colors: Black, Silver, Burgundy (please indicate your preference in order notes)
Optional: if you’d like to add your name or company logo, please contact us. This service costs an additional US$19.95 and takes an 3-5 business days to ship due to engraving time frames.
Flat rate shipping of $35
Sales tax will be added at checkout based on your state of residence

Please note that this is VENDOR SHIPPED from California.

The Piccolo Carry-on (5 bottles)

May 3, 2024 | Travel

Fellow wine lovers and travelers, the VinGarde Piccolo Carry-on will revolutionize the way you travel, with or without wine it’s amazing luggage! For a limited time, in celebration of VinGarde’s 10th anniversary, until December 31, 2024, there’s a special anniversary price available.

Here is why we love it and some of the features of this 5-bottle suitcase:

Travel with confidence: It’s so darn sturdy. The hard-shell construction comprised of 100% proprietary compound material comes complete with removable high-density patented foam inserts (and then more flat foam inserts for padding). The wine babies are safe!
Versatility: You can move wine, clothes, fragile items or all of the above. The Piccolo accommodates from up to 5 bottles of wine (750ml bottles). Simply remove one or more of the foam inserts for plenty of room for clothing and other travel items.
Maneuverability: Lightweight with fantastic roll-in-all-direction Hinomoto wheels, it’s easy to manage even when full. We also love the handles to make it easy to grab off the luggage carrousel.
These wine suitcases fly for FREE on Southwest and Alaska airlines within the United States!!
Other nice touches: Integrated top-mounted TSA compliant lock, reinforced double channel zipper, belts/straps for extra protection, lots of pouches/zippers inside.
10-year manufacturer’s limited warranty.
Designed in USA; made in China.

Dimensions:

5 bottle unit – 9.5”D x 16”W x 22.8” L | 9.5 lbs. Unpacked

Additional:

Comes in following colors: Black, Silver, Burgundy (please indicate your preference in order notes)
Optional: if you’d like to add your name or company logo, please contact us. This service costs an additional US$19.95 and takes an 3-5 business days to ship due to engraving time frames.
Flat rate shipping of $35
CA Sales tax automatically added at checkout by state law

Please note that this is VENDOR SHIPPED from California.

The Trapi Spring Trio

Nov 13, 2023 | Wine

Spring is in the air and these energizing wines from Chile’s northern Patagonia / lake district, are the perfect partners for the longer days, warmer temperatures, lighter fare and enjoying outside on your terrace or at a picnic.

Trapi del Bueno Handmade Sauvignon Blanc 2022: This zippy Sav Blanc is blasting citrus like grapefruit, passion fruit, guava and has saline (dry) nature that makes it lip-smacking delicious. Wonderful with seafood, as an apertif, ceviche, or even chevre goat cheese.

Trapi del Bueno Handmade Pinot Noir 2019: This non-interventionist Pinot Noir is made from grapes grown in Chile’s southern lake district (northern Patagonia region). Deep in flavor and full of minerality, flavors of fresh raspberries, cherries, wild strawberries pop with spicy notes. Smooth-drinking, light in alcohol, and chic in the mouth, it veers towards Burgundy in style. We love its freshness and how all wine drinkers revel in this wine.

Trapi del Bueno Chardonnay 2020: Veering Chablis in style, this Chardonnay has no oakiness and is lighter than one may expect with apple and pear flavors.Easy to drink on its own, this wine is also great with roasted chicken, any fish dish, and buttered popcorn for movie night.

All of these beauties hit the holy wine trifecta of high acid, low alcohol and are driven by minerality (complexity) in addition to being organically/sustainably grown by humans we know and love, vegan (no egg whites used to clarify), and minimal use of sulfites.

Here’s what’s included:

6 bottle-case (750cc) of wine: 2 Sauvignon Blanc, 2 Pinot Noir, 2 Chardonnay
Taxes
Shipping & Handling within the United States**

**Terms & conditions of sales purchase. By purchasing, you agree to them.

Our JOURNAL

ARCHIVES: Products

A Library Tasting of Franco, Chile’s Iconic Cabernet Franc

Cozy Up: South American Winter Reds

Gabriel Glas StandArt Wine Glasses (2-glass set)

Holiday Library Magnums

LC Collection Annual Membership

LC Collection Curated Holiday Wines

LC Collection Founding Member Renewal

Like Wine For Chocolate

Mother’s Day Wine Trio

South American Holiday Bubbly

South American Terroir: A Workshop

The Grande VinGarde Valise Suitcase (12 bottles)

The Piccolo Carry-on (5 bottles)

The Trapi Spring Trio

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