Vina Gonzalez Bastias Naranjo Valle del Maule 2023

José Luís Bastías is the fifth generation to farm a four-hectare vineyard planted in the early 19th century; Daniela Lorenzo, an agronomist, joined him in 2013. The vines are dry-farmed and horse-plowed, with grazing animals controlling weeds and fertilizing the soil. Fruit is pressed by hand over traditional bamboo zarandas, the Moscatel and Torontel macerate 60 days on skins before the País juice is added, all three co-ferment on native yeasts, then six months in 100-year-old Raulí barrels. Critically, this style is traditional here rather than borrowed from Georgia or Friuli — though this version is dry where the old local wines carried sweetness. Tangerine, tropical fruit, plantain, and white flowers, creamy and lightly viscous with medium tannin and natural acidity.

Food pairing: Spicy food especially — plus pork with chili, Thai and Indian dishes, aged cheese, roast squash, and mole.