FX Excursions

FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.

Chile, Ultra Premium Wine

Feb 1, 2004
2004 / February 2004

Chile, a slender sliver of a country, captured international attention about 20 years ago when it sent out to the world friendly, agreeable wines that sold for under $10. So good were they for their modest price that Chilean imports into the United States leaped from 11 million liters in 1986 to 184 million by 1996.

The high quality of its grapes, soils and microclimates made it clear that Chile had the potential to climb far up the status scale. And since the mid-‘90s, it has done just that.

In this short time, Chile has developed a class of top-echelon wines called Ultra Premium. Based primarily on the varietals that make Bordeaux reds-Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Carmenère, an old Bordeaux grape-these wines are produced in relatively small quantities (4,000 to 14,000 cases per wine rather than 50,000 to 1 million cases for inexpensive wines). Made from grapes grown only in Chile’s prime vineyards, they mature slowly in small French oak barrels for 13 to 20 months with all the care that such aristocratic wines deserve.

Care, however, costs. As these upper-class reds have soared up the quality ladder, so have their prices. Most of them now cost five, six and seven times more than those earlier, simpler exports.

Among the most exceptional Ultra Premiums are Montes Alpha M 1999 ($78), an elegant, concentrated wine, beautifully balanced, with deep fruit flavors and a hint of chocolate in the aroma; and Montes Alpha M 2000 ($78), an exuberant wine brimming with personality and varietal character, satiny in the mouth, delicious in taste. Equally impressive is Almaviva 1999 ($92), a rich, luscious, well-structured wine with intense fruit and a full and textured body.

Other fine examples include Errazuriz Don Maximiano Founder’s Reserve 1999 ($60), a wine with a distinctive perfume in its aroma and a silky mouth feel; Concha y Toro Don Melchor 1999 ($42), a full-bodied, deep-flavored wine, all satin and finesse ($42); and Seña 1999 ($70), a supple, spicy wine with an aroma reminiscent of mint and eucalyptus.

Chile is indeed fulfilling the promise of its potential. And this is only the beginning.

Introducing

FX Excursions

FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.

#globility

Insta Feed
Daily
Mar 23, 2023

The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko in Japan Introduces Spring Experiences

The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko in Japan offers travelers exciting experiences this spring. Opened in July 2020, the property overlooks Lake Chūzenji and Mount Nantai in Japan’s Northern Kanto region. With cherry blossoms (Sakura) set to bloom in April, the area is the perfect destination for a spring getaway.

Portuguese Pleasures

Europe is more fun with a Portugal Stopover.

Daily
Mar 23, 2023

New Limited-Time Bonus Offers from Scenic, Emerald Cruises

Scenic Luxury Cruises and Emerald Cruises currently offer travelers savings of up to $500 per cabin and a 50 percent reduction on deposits on select 2023/2024 river and ocean itineraries. The offers are available through March 31 and can be combined with others, such as early-booking savings of up to $1,500 per couple and a Pay in Full bonus that includes free or reduced airfare options.

Daily
Mar 23, 2023

The Cape Ann Museum Announces Major Edward Hopper Exhibit

This July, The Cape Ann Museum in Gloucester, Massachusetts, hosts Edward Hopper & Cape Ann: Illuminating an American Landscape, the first major exhibition to explore Hopper’s connection to Cape Ann during his formative years as an artist. Visitors will be treated to 65 works that include paintings, prints and drawings assembled from collections housed at Whitney Museum of American Art; Brooklyn Museum; Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; National Gallery of Art, Washington DC; private lenders; and other institutions.

Enter to Win $500 and Get Six Months’ Free Access to the New GT App

Now through May 8, sign up for a free six-month trial of the Global Traveler app and be automatically entered for a chance to win a $500 gift card of your choice for Amazon, Apple or American Express.

March 2023
Mar 22, 2023

Global Traveler Celebrates the 2022 Winners of the GT Tested Reader Survey Awards

Travel is back and better than ever! Last year brought a big boom to our beloved industry, and we were thrilled to celebrate the best of the best in December 2022 as we honored the winners of our 19th annual GT Tested Reader Survey awards at The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles, located downtown at LA Live!

eFlyer Deals
Mar 22, 2023

Brown Hotels Celebrates Beachside Greek Resorts Reopening with New Offer

In honor of the seasonal reopening of its beachside Greek resorts, Brown Hotels offers a generous 25 percent discount on all bookings made by the end of April. This discount can apply to Brown Hotels’ beachside properties of Isla Brown Corinthia, Brown Beach Chalkida, Brown Beach Eretria and DAVE by the Beach Loutraki.

Share Your Travel Preferences with Global Traveler in a Short Survey & Win

Learning more about our readers’ travel habits and preferences ensures Global Traveler delivers the content you desire. As the travel industry has adapted and changed over the last few years, it’s more important than ever to connect. To best meet your short- and long-term travel content needs, please help us!

eFlyer Deals
Mar 22, 2023

Air Tahiti Nui Announces Limited-Time Sale on Flights from LAX to AKL

Through April 24, passengers booking a flight with Air Tahiti Nui from Los Angeles (LAX) to Auckland (AKL) enjoy round-trip fares from $974 per person in Moana economy class or $2,394 in Moana premium class.