Dreyfus, Ashby & Co.

Main Office

630 3rd Ave
15th Floor
New York, NY 10017

Phone (212) 818-0770
Fax (212) 953-2366

Adminstration

60 Avon Meadow Lane
Avon, CT 06001
Phone (860) 409-9119
Fax (860) 409-9272

E-Mail

info@dreyfusashby.com

 

Chile

Chile is now ranked fifth in the world wide export league. In only ten years the export market has exploded, and is now producing some of the most exciting wines in the new world.

Of course, Torres could not be absent in Latin America, most especially in the country of viticulture par excellence. Chile is a viticultural paradise, in part thanks to its location, within the same sort of latitudes as the European viticultural equivalents. Its geography, its soils and its remarkable absence of Phylloxera make it a very sought after location by winemakers the world over.

Torres recognised these virtues before any other European company dared compete or invest in Chile. Today, more than two decades after its first discoveries, Torres produces some of its best and most prized wines in Chile.

Don Miguel Torres Carbó arrived in Chile in 1979 and acquired a small winery in Curicó.

We were the first foreign firm to place our faith in this viticultural paradise, before Chile became one of the most sought-after viticultural locations in the world.

Over the years our installations have grown to reach the current 400 hectares in the Central Valley of Chile.

What attracted us in particular to winemaking in Chile were the following points:

  • Excellent climatic conditions in which to grow vines. Chile has well differentiated seasons with spectacular temperature shifts, greater even than 20ºC.

  • The Andes Mountains have permafrost and the influence of the Humboldt Current play a decisive role in this "thermal leap." This sharp contrast between daytime and nighttimes temperatures have the potential to foment the best aromas within the grapes.

  • The absence of Phylloxera means that it is not necessary to graft vines onto American rootstock. Vines live longer in countries free of Phylloxera.

  • The oldest viticultural traditions on the American continent. Spanish missionaries planted the first vineyards. Later, in the 19th century they were re-planted with French varietals.

 

 

 

 

 


Our vineyards

Maquehua
In 1979 we acquired the Maquehua estate in the Curicó Valley. This plot of land is 90 hectares of stony soils.

This is perfect land for the cultivation of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

San Luis de Alico
The San Luis de Alico estate (45 hectares) is situated in Talca, near the mountains. It has quality soils where we cultivate:

· Cabernet Sauvignon
· Merlot
· Syrah

San Francisco
The San Francisco estate (Lontué Valley) was acquired in 1984.

It is 55 hectares of volcanic and sandy soils where we plant mainly:

· Cabernet Sauvignon
· Pinot Noir
· Chardonnay para nuestro Brut

It is here that we have our Manso de Velasco vineyard that owes its name to the Spanish governor who founded the city of Curicó in 1743. We reserve this vineyard exclusively for the cultivation of Cabernet Sauvignon that makes an extraordinary wine characterised by its deep and intense pigment coming from century-old vines.

La Ribera
The La Ribera estate (66hecatres) are found in the Linares region, 80 km southwest of Curicó, heading towards the coast.

It is particularly suited to:

· Cariñena
· Syrah
· Merlot
· Cabernet Sauvignon

Cordillera
In 1991 the Fundo Cordillera (Valle de Río Claro) became part of our vineyards. It is made up of 110 hectares of volcanic and clay soils, very close to the Andes.

This means that they count on a cooler climate, ideal for white varieties of European clones:

· Sauvignon Blanc
· Chardonnay
· Gewürztraminer
· Riesling

Los Zorrillos
The Los Zorrillos estate (20 hectares) is near Villa Prat, 20 km southwest of Curicó, heading towards the coast.

We have planted:

· Merlot
· Syrah
· Cabernet Sauvignon


MIGUEL TORRES- A HOUSEHOLD NAME AROUND THE WORLD

International fame and success is the dream of any company with a quality product to sell. Over the past few decades companies that were originally known only in Spain have burst into the international market bringing new trademarks into households around the world. Each company that has managed to expand beyond local and national success to introduce its products in the larger world market has a fascinating story to tell.

PerhapsTorres wines are one of the most internationally recognized Spanish products. For decades the wines of Miguel Torres, S.A. have been included on the wine lists at the best restaurants around the world, including France. You can spot the Torres brand name in any duty-free shop at international air-ports and wine-drinking consumers the world over associate the Torres label with quality wine within a reasonable price range.

Ask for a Spanish wine anywhere in the world and chances are you will be shown several Torres wines. In fact, if asked to name internationally known Spanish products, the chances are high that Torres wines would be high on your list. Headquartered in Villafranea del Penedos, an ancient Catalonian wine-producing region 30 kilometers (19 miles) southwest of Barcelona, Miguel Torres S.A. is Spain's largest independently owned winery, and the largest exporter of still wines to major markets such as the United States. With regular exports to over 90 countries in all the continents, Miguel Torres S.A. has almost single handedly created a name for Spanish wine around the world.

The story of this remarkable international marketing success is the story of a remarkable winemaker family that had the tenacity and vision to turn a modest bulk wine business into an international operation producing over two million cases of wine in three countries with consolidated sales of over 10,000 million pesetas.

The company was founded five generations ago in 1870, although early references indicate that the Torres family exported bulk wine as early as 1628. Exports to Cuba, Mexico, Central America and Canada continued throughout the 19th century. In 1870, Jaime Torres, a Catalonian 'merchant who made a fortune in the shipping business, returned from Cuba to his native Pened6s homeland to found the family bodega or winery. He built what was then the world's largest wine vat with a storage capacity of 600,000 liters.

see the rest of this story here...


 

Miguel Torres Today

Many steps have been taken throughout our history to consolidate one name: Torres...

Torres is today associated with top quality wine in over 120 countries. The work that has allowed this to be possible is centred in its three international sites: Catalonia, Chile and California. Further to this, Torres wishes to be present in new and exciting markets, such as China.

Catalonia

The Torres family surname features in Catalan history since the 17th century. Today our family owned vineyards amount to 1,300 hectares, among the best terroir in the region.

The use of modern viticultural techniques, the preservation of traditional methods and a desire not to use chemical products have contributed to the success of Torres.

 

Our Mission Statement

        • To maintain our tradition as a self-financing and independent family firm of international scope.

        • To enable every customer to become a friend.

        • To be world leaders in the first-rate wine and brandy sectors, with top quality and well differentiated products.

        • To be leaders in the design of and in the communications involved in the dissemination of wine culture.

        • To care for the well-being of our staff and for the progress of society as a whole.

        • To contribute actively towards the conservation of our natural environment.




The Wines...

The Red Wines of Miguel Torres...

Our red wines represent our house seal. These bottles symbolise centuries of history, our passion for what we do and the care we lavish on our customers.

These wines cover an ample range, made with traditional varieties drawn from Catalan viticulture, grapes well adapted to our soils and climate. We also make fine wines with noble and international grape varieties that have been able to adapt with equal success to our lands. It is through this means that we are able to satisfy every palate.

The White Wines of Miguel Torres...

We are especially proud of our white wines. The type of winemaking involved in producing this style of wines, pure, clean and seductive, just as we understand them today, proved very difficult for our forefathers to achieve. Today, however, we know the secret and have the means to maintain the properties of the fruit intact, transforming them into wines that are unique, fresh and elegant, with the aid of the climate, the soils, the well-tended vines and our experience.

 

Miguel Torres
Cordillera
Manso de Velasco
Don Miguel
Maquehua

Miguel Torres, prizewinner at
the 2006
Wine Awards

Wein Gourmet
25-mar-2006

This year, the ceremony for the "Wine Awards 06", the prizes given each year by the prestigious German wine magazine, Wein Gourmet, took place in Düsseldorf on the 25th of March. At the Grandhotel Schloss Bensberg and with the participation of around 850 guests, the prizes were awarded from the four main categories and Miguel Torres was presented the "Lebenswerk - Lifetime" award by one of the most prestigious writers in the world of wine, Hugh Johnson.

Wein Gourmet belongs to the publishing house of Jahreszeiten Verlag, one of the leading publishers in Germany and the company behind publications as well-known as "Der Feinschmecker", for over 30 years the reference point for trends in gastronomy, restaurants and holiday destinations. The desire to delve further into the realms of oenology led this publishing house to create its quarterly, Wein Gourmet, which over the last 4 years has become the leading magazine dedicated to the world of wine, with a print run of 30,000 copies.


The Best Red & White Wine Values from
Around the World!


Santa Digna Merlot Curicó 2003 ( Chile )
87 Points $10

Santa Digna Chardonnay
Curicó 2003 ( Chile )
87 Points $10

Santa Digna
Sauvignon Blanc

Curicó 2003 ( Chile )
87 Points $10

Miguel Torres 2001 Cordillera
92 Points

This blend of old-vine cariñena, syrah and merlot offers an intriguing mixture of black currant and tapenade aromas. The structure is dense and rich, with sharp tannins adding tension. After several hours, the flavors deepen to roasted black fruit and sweet spices. A Mediterranean-style red for a lamb curry.

Miguel Torres 2000 Conde de Superunda
90 Points

This is the newest wine from Torres in Curicó. A blend of 60 percent tempranillo and 20 percent cabernet sauvignon, plus monastrell and carmenère, this shows succulent red fruit led by cherry and raspberry aromas. Its flavors gain elegance from the wine's refreshing acidity and soft tannins. Decant it to match grilled ribs.

Miguel Torres 2005 Santa Digna Sauvignon Blanc
86 Points

A simple, herbal sauvignon, this wine's crisp, green notes bring a Chilean ceviche to mind. Chill it and serve it as soon as spring arrives.

2001 Miguel Torres Manso de Velasco
Cabernet Sauvignon, Curicó Valley



Tight at first, with almost confounding aromas of tar, black plum and herbs. Airing, however, turns it plush, with a heavy dose of fine tannins pushing powerful plum and cassis. A baby now, as is evident by how the finish goes from short to lengthy in no time. A real bruiser from Torres’ Chilean outpost. Hold through 2007. Imported by Five Star Fine Products.

2000 Miguel Torres Conde de Superunda
Red Blend, Curicó Valley




A new blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère, Monastrell and Tempranillo, which alone makes it unique for Chile. The nose delivers a blast of menthol and the color is downright huge. Very plump and fruity, with a softness that serves it well. A real mouthful that’s not overpowering but still packs punch.

 

 

 

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