Celebrating Casillero del Diablo's global success and recent innovations at a special event in London
Chile is a unique country, reflected by its distinctive shape and topography. Very long (almost 2,700 miles) and unusually narrow (only 112 miles wide on average), the country is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the east by the Andes mountain range. At the southern end are the Patagonian glaciers, its northern border contains the world's driest desert, the Atacama and in the centre lies a diverse landscape including lakes, rivers, forests and volcanoes. The country's vineyards, therefore, enjoy different climates, rich soils and altitudes that reach over 2000m above sea level. One of Chile's leading wine companies is Concha y Toro. Dating back to the end of the 19th century, Concha y Toro is known throughout the world, with a portfolio of award-winning brands selling in over 140 countries. Among the most famous of these is Casillero del Diablo.
Casillero del Diablo is the UK's number one Chilean wine brand with £188 million of value sales in 2022 (Nielsen), including the UK's favourite Cabernet Sauvignon. It also has a unique and demonic history!
More than 130 years ago, Don Melchor de Concha y Toro reserved an extensive batch of the best wines in his private cellar for himself. When he noticed that his wines were going missing, to keep thieves away, he spread the rumour that the devil haunted the cellar. And so was born the legend of Casillero del Diablo - the devil's cellar. Wines so special, they're protected by the devil!
A selection of the brand's devilish wines
Casillero del Diablo has seen growing success worldwide, increasing by 8% in volume and 15% in value sales since 2020. Long standing partnerships with Manchester Utd., Sky Cinema and RTE have boosted the brand's appeal, along with a dynamic communications and marketing strategy.
B-Corp certified Concha y Toro's strong sustainability credentials should further help to attract eco-conscious wine lovers to its range of wines. The company's water consumption is 50% lower than the wine industry average, they plant more than 6000 native trees every year and they work with over 30 suppliers to lower the weight of their bottles. By introducing the use of renewable energy, they plan to reduce emissions by 35% in the next two years and to have zero emissions by 2050.
There are several collections within the Casillero del Diablo portfolio. One of these is the Reserva Especial range, which has seen over 27% growth since 2020. The wines are made from grapes grown in a single appellation, reflecting each variety's nuanced expressions. The three red wines, including the Cabernet Sauvignon, come from the clay-rich soils of the Maule Valley.
The Maule Valley lies in the southern half of Chile's wine making regions, located in the Central Valley, south of the capital city, Santiago. The largest and one of the oldest wine producing regions in the country, it used to be known more for its bulk wines. However, since the 1990s, better use of technology and improved viticultural knowledge have seen quality levels rising, benefiting from the rainy winters, warm summers and relatively infertile soils.
350 kilometres south of Santiago, the vineyards' rich red clay-loam soils over a granitic base give structure and character to this Cabernet Sauvignon, while cooling coastal breezes and constant sunshine provide acidity and fresh fruit flavours. The 2020 vintage received 90 points in Tim Atkin MW's 2022 Chile Report.
Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon 97%, Carménère 3%.
Colour: Deep dark red with a purple tinge.
Nose: Aromatic and perfumed with dark fruit notes plus hints of vanilla cream and tobacco.
Palate: Notes of black cherries and Victoria plums with vibrant acidity, firm yet approachable tannins, a toasty edge with hints of chocolate and cinnamon plus a touch of tobacco on the finish.
Food pairings: Grilled or barbecued red meat, beef or venison stews, spaghetti Bolognese, strong cheeses, lentil bakes.
Widely available in retail outlets across the UK, the RRP is £8 to £10. This is a young wine and not particularly complex, but for this price, it's certainly very good value! Enjoy slightly chilled or at room temperature.
