A Tasting That Tells Stories
Have you ever wondered how a wine transforms over the years—not just in taste, but in spirit? A vertical wine tasting in Colchagua offers one of the most enriching wine experiences available. It’s more than a tasting: it’s a journey through time, a conversation with nature and craftsmanship, where each vintage reveals a unique personality.
I had the chance to participate in one of these tastings in Chile’s Colchagua Valley, and it changed how I perceive wine. What first appeared as a lineup of bottles quickly became a sensory narrative—each year marked by its own climate, challenges, and character.
What Is a Vertical Wine Tasting and Why It Matters
A vertical wine tasting in Colchagua involves sampling several vintages of the same wine from the same winery. Unlike horizontal tastings—which compare wines from the same vintage but different producers—a vertical tasting focuses on the evolution of one wine over time.
The aim? To understand how the wine ages, how weather conditions influence each harvest, and how the wine’s structure and aromas evolve. It’s a perfect way to appreciate the vineyard’s identity, the winemaker’s philosophy, and the aging potential of the wine.
As Freddy Grez, Head of Tourism at Viña Viu Manent, explains:
“It’s an opportunity to showcase the evolution of a great wine. When it comes to an icon or a single-vineyard wine, it’s the most loyal expression a winery can offer of that wine’s aging potential.”
How to Organize a Vertical Wine Tasting Step by Step
Organizing a vertical wine tasting in Colchagua is much more than simply opening bottles. It requires planning, patience, and a deep sensitivity to the wine’s character.
- Choose the right wine: Ideally, you’ll want 4 to 6 different vintages of the same wine—preferably one with strong aging potential.
- Set the correct order: Always taste from the youngest vintage to the oldest.
- Use identical glasses for all wines: This allows for a fair comparison in terms of color, aroma, and flavor.
- Take tasting notes by hand: Recording impressions helps identify subtle differences and build memory.
- Decant only if necessary: Especially for older wines that may contain sediment or need oxygenation.
And most importantly, create the right ambiance and pay attention to every detail. As Freddy Grez from Viña Viu Manent emphasizes:
“If this tasting is offered with attention to every detail — proper uncorking, decanting when necessary, a room with the right lighting, temperature and design, correct service, and a host who is both an expert and passionate — it’s almost certain the guest will remember the experience for a lifetime, perhaps becoming a loyal follower of the brand.”
The Magic of Vintages in a Vertical Wine Tasting
When Time Becomes the Flavor of Wine
A 2017 wine has nothing to do with a 2019—even if it’s the same label. I realized this during a vertical wine tasting in Colchagua. As I tasted one particular vintage, memories of a hot, dry year came rushing back… and the wine said it all: bold tannins, less fruit, more concentration.
Vintages are like chapters in a book. A cold year might give you bright acidity; a warm one, power and density; a rainy one, fresh herbal notes. A vertical tasting lets you read those chapters with your palate. And the more you know about the region and its climate, the more clearly you understand what’s in your glass. It’s a way to discover the terroir of the wine with the clarity of its season and year.
Viña Viu Manent and Its “Grandes Verticales” Program
One of the pioneering wineries offering high-level vertical tastings in Colchagua is Viña Viu Manent. Freddy Grez, Head of Tourism, shares his insights:
“We have a program called ‘Grandes Verticales: El Incidente and Viu 1,’ in which we present two vintages of El Incidente (a Luxury-Level Carmenere) and three vintages of Viu 1, the winery’s icon wine, made primarily from Malbec grapes grown in over 100-year-old, pre-phylloxera vines.”
The response to this experience has been overwhelmingly positive:
“So far, every guest who has taken the tasting has left delighted—and we’re confident they’ve become loyal ambassadors of our brand.”
Beyond the emotional impact, this activity also has a strong commercial dimension:
“A consumer who understands the quality of a wine through an experience like this is someone who will return to the brand whenever they seek quality over price.”
Climate, Terroir and Memory: What Each Glass Can Reveal
When you’re from the region—as I am—there’s something almost emotional about tasting a vintage and remembering that it was a dry year, or that April brought heavy rains. You’re not just tasting wine. You’re reliving memories: the harvest, the headlines, the small-town conversations in the plaza.
That is the true power of a vertical wine tasting in Colchagua: it’s not just sensory analysis. It’s emotional connection. It’s liquid memory.
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Vertical vs. Horizontal Wine Tasting: Which One Should You Choose?
Both tastings have great value, but their goals are different:
- Vertical wine tasting: Focuses on how a wine evolves over time. Perfect for those seeking depth and nuance.
- Horizontal wine tasting: Compares wines from the same vintage but from different wineries. A great way to explore terroirs and winemaking styles.
If you’re just getting started in the world of wine, a horizontal tasting may feel more approachable. But if you already have some experience and want something truly memorable and educational, a vertical wine tasting in Colchagua is simply unmissable.
What I Learned by Drinking Time from a Glass
This kind of tasting taught me that wine is not just a beverage—it’s a storyteller. Each vintage speaks differently. And if you’re from the region, those stories feel personal. You lived them. You remember them.
As Freddy Grez perfectly puts it:
“When well-executed, a vertical tasting is the most honest expression of what a winery is capable of.”
Ready for a Vertical Wine Tasting in Colchagua?
Would you like to experience a vertical wine tasting in Colchagua? Discover the wineries that offer unforgettable journeys through time—taste the vintages, hear the stories, and live the land.
Book your experience now at disfrutacolchagua.com
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