Chilé: Here and Over there

Liquid Gold

Returning from Chilé, Tita Meneses Trillo wrote this glowing report: "Chilé is a narrow strip of land 2,700 miles long and an average of 70 meter miles wide. On the East, it is flanked by the Pacific Ocean, on the West, by the Andes Mountain, on the North, by the driest desert in the world, and on the South, by the Antartica."

However, as president of the Magnum Wine Cellar in Manila, Tita was most excited in seeing the foothills of the Andes mountains on the Central Valley being fed with pristine water from the melted snow flowing down to the vineyards, thus enriching the alluvial terrain with pure minerals, perfect for wine growing.

Tita then thought: Rich in sun and even richer in taste, this would be a wonderful environmental combination. The result: Caliterra wines!

That night at the Magnun Wine Cellar the epicurean menu was enhanced by the wines of Caliterra. The starters–empanaditas, cheese with onion and spices, ham and cheese with chives, marinated tanigue–were relished with Caliterra Chardonay and Sauvignon Blanc 2003; Chilean Salad was paired with Caliterra Syran 2000, a medium-bodied wine with velvety texture and round tannins depicting cherry and chocolate flavors.

The biggest epicurean delight was the grilled tenderloin with sweet potato gratin, assorted vegetables and pepper au jus with Caliterra Cabenera Sauvignon 2002, a deep-colored wine with aromas of cassis, black berry, raspberry and hints of methol.

Regional Director Saelzer explained to intrigued guests that Caliterra belongs to a new generation of Chilean wineries that combine the creative innovation of New World winemaking with Chilé’s best traditions. Caliterra means the land (la tierra) and conveys quality (Calidad). Indeed, that night everyone imbibed with gusto Caliterra’s liquid gold uncorked in Magnum.

Promoting Spanish In Chilé

Spanish is the language spoken in Chilé. However, Philippine Ambassador to Chilé Ma. Consuelo Puyat Reyes devotes every time she has to the teaching of Spanish to wives of Asian diplomats.

Recently, she had the honor of presenting the certificate of membership of the Academy Filipina de la Lengua to Dr. Oscar Pinochet, outstanding Hispanista and distinguished writer.

On the occasion, Mrs. Puyat Reyes gave an extemporaneous speech which was so roundly applauded that she was asked to give next year’s speech on "El Legado de España a Filipinas".

Incidentally, Mrs. Puyat Reyes received autographed pictures from President Alejandro Toledo which were taken during presentation of her own credentials.