Imagine for a moment that you are a third generation Chilean vineyard owner. One day you decide that you don't just want to walk the fields - it would be great to view the breathtaking beauty of your Colchagua Valley vineyard from above. Aha, what better way to travel than in a hot air balloon. Thus inspired, you begin making plans - get a balloon, set a date, invite 
some friends, and prepare to soar. All is peaceful and beautiful as you float in the crisp early morning Chilean air. Everyone is happy until, plunk, you land unexpectedly in the middle of an open air market in the town of Santa Cruz. Not quite the journey you had in mind but if your name is Jose Miguel Viu Bottini, when life hands you a crashed balloon you make wine!
Last night I had the great pleasure of meeting Jose Miguel, the owner of Viu Manent, and his chief winemaker Patricio Celedon, at a wonderful tasting event at Puro Chile in New York City. Viu Manent was founded in 1935 by Jose Miguel's grandfather, a Catalonian immigrant. Today, Viu Manent owns 260 hectares of vineyards in Chile's renowned Colchagua Valley and their diverse portfolio includes Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Rose, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Carmenere. One of those wines, El Incidente Carmenere 2007 First Edition was inspired by the incident of Jose Miguel's balloon flight. The label even depicts a balloon all topsy-turvy.
I must confess that prior to last night I was unfamiliar with Viu Manent or the Carmenere grape. Apparently, Carmenere disappeared from Europe in the mid 19th century and was rediscovered in Chile in the 1990's. El Incidente combines Carmenere (85%) with Petit Verdot (10%) and Malbec (5%). The delicious end result is a richly colored wine with fragrant aromas of blackberries, figs and a touch of spice. It retails for about $39.
Viu Manent also has many enjoyable and affordable Malbecs - some are available for as little as $12.99 per bottle. Try the Single Vineyard Malbec San Carlos Estate and their limited edition Argentinian wine ViBo 2007. For a white wine with wonderful fruit flavors and delectable sweetness, the Sauvignon Blanc is a winner and also the first wine that Patricio has created since joining Viu Manent as their chief winemaker.
If a trip to Chile is in your future, be sure to add a visit to Viu Manent to your itinerary. Their La Llaveria Visitor's Center offers tours in English and Spanish, wine classes, horseback riding and more. Try their delicious wines and dine at their on-site restaurant. Balloon rides are NOT offered!
PS - Dear Hollywood, when you have finished making the inevitable blockbuster about the 33 Chilean miners, can you please work on a film about a devastatingly handsome balloon flying Chilean vineyard owner? I'm just saying...
