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Miguel Torres Chile: Making Reds and Rosé Sparkling from Traditional Varieties
The Torres family is a producer active in Chile. They collaborate with small-scale growers on País rosé sparkling, 'Estelado,' and craft VIGNO from Maule Carignan, working to utilize traditional varieties and old vineyards.
We will examine Estelado 2024 made from País and VIGNO 2020 made from Carignan. We compare the two traditional variety-based approaches in terms of raw materials and processes.
Questions for this course
Are old vineyard varieties in Chile only used for deeply colored reds?
Before you start reading, briefly jot down your thoughts. You will rephrase them at the end.
To applied practice using the material ↓
To explanation task notes ↓Miguel Torres Chile / Study by Producer
Chile / Secano Interior / Maule
Also known as / Alternative names: Miguel Torres / Miguel Torres
Update date: 2026-09-24
Two uses for País and Carignan
Estelado 2024 is a rosé sparkling wine made from 100% País. VIGNO 2020, on the other hand, is a red made from 100% Carignan from Maule. While both share a focus on old grape varieties and respect for historic vineyards, their end results differ by color, bubbles, and extraction. When reading about the history of varieties, do not link it to just a single finished wine style.
Fermentation to produce sparkling and lees aging before that
For Estelado 2024, primary fermentation is done in tank for 18 days, while secondary fermentation is carried out in bottle for 50 days. There are also explanations of spending 3–5 months on lees in tank, and at least 6 months of maturation in bottle. The 50 days refer to the period of secondary fermentation, not the entire duration from bottling to release.
Extraction and old barrels in red wine
VIGNO 2020 underwent wild yeast fermentation in stainless steel for 9 days, with 14 days on skins, and all malolactic fermentation occurred in French oak barrels. After that, aging is done for 24 months in neutral barrels used at least four times. Since fermentation, skin contact, MLF, and aging each refer to different processes, you should not simply add up the numbers to get a total number of days.
Two types of events are also associated with vineyard age.
Documents for VIGNO 2020 indicate that it’s a vineyard of País planted in 1930, grafted with Carignan in 2009. This is an example of reading the history of trunk or roots separately from the year the current variety was grafted. The term ‘old vine’ should not lead to the assumption that Carignan was planted in 1930.
What to align and what to compare.
Raw material
- Conditions to standardize
- Traditional varieties from the same producer
- Conditions for comparison.
- País and Carignan
- Additional points to confirm
- Varieties, Vintage, and Color also change
Fermentation
- Conditions to standardize
- Carry out alcoholic fermentation
- Conditions for comparison.
- Second fermentation in the bottle and extraction for reds.
- Additional points to confirm
- Separate fermentation days from maturation months.
Vineyard history
- Conditions to standardize
- VIGNO vineyard records
- Conditions for comparison.
- Pais in 1930 and grafting in 2009
- Additional points to confirm
- Distinguish replanting from varietal change.
Order of reading and key points to consider in each article
0 / 3 articles completed
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- 1↗
Chile
Estelado: País undergoes secondary fermention in bottle
Reading about sparkling wines produced from País.
- 2↗
Chile
VIGNO: Standards based on old vines
Check the standards of organizations evaluating old vines.
- 3↗
Chile
Itata: Old-vine País and Cinsault
Relate southern Chile's traditional varieties to geography.
READ · HYPOTHESIZE · RECONSIDER
Miguel Torres Chile Reading: Making Reds and Rosé Sparkling from Traditional Varieties
Verify the ingredients and processes in the materials and consider reasons for differences.
The numbers are based on documentation from the indicated year, or the product description at the time of confirmation. Descriptions without a vintage do not guarantee specifications for all vintages.
| Comparison items | Estelado 2024 | VIGNO 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| Varieties & Types | 100% País, rosé sparkling | Carignan 100%, red |
| Fermentation record | 18 days in tank, 50 days for secondary fermentation in bottle | Stainless steel for 9 days, with 14 days on skins |
| Aging | Lees contact in tank for 3–5 months, minimum 6 months in bottle | 24 months in used French oak |
| Purpose of comparison | Learn the uses of traditional varieties | Learn about old vineyards and about extraction and aging. |
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Read the explanation for each question
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What is the 50 days in Estelado 2024?
The source separately records 50 days for secondary fermentation and a minimum of 6 months bottle aging. Do not treat the fermentation time as the entire period spent in that vessel.
What barrels are used for VIGNO 2020?
The 2020 documentation states 24 months in neutral used barrels. Even if another vintage specified new barrels, do not apply that process to this vintage.
What is the relationship between 1930 and 2009?
The source describes Pais planted in 1930 and grafted in 2009. Separate the history of old trunks and roots in the vineyard from the history of the current scion variety.
Basis and sources for the exercise
Practice exercises in comparison
Compare the raw materials and processes in the documentation, and explain the choices made by the producer.
Read examples of organizing comparisons
| Conditions for Comparison | Estelado 2024 | VIGNO 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| Varieties & Types | 100% País, rosé sparkling | Carignan 100%, red |
| Fermentation record | 18 days in tank, 50 days for secondary fermentation in bottle | Stainless steel for 9 days, with 14 days on skins |
| Aging | Lees contact in tank for 3–5 months, minimum 6 months in bottle | 24 months in used French oak |
| Purpose of comparison | Learn the uses of traditional varieties | Learn about old vineyards and about extraction and aging. |
Sources of materials used for comparison are listed in the text and exercises.
Explain in your own words
Describe the raw materials and fermentation of both wines, and specify what the numbers 50 days, 6 months, 1930, and 2009 each refer to.
Check after writing
- Did you distinguish between fermentation and maturation?
- Were the years of grafting separated?
- Did you indicate it was a comparison of different vintages?
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