MICHEL ROLLAND: CHILEAN WINES HAVE PROGRESS THE LAST 15 YEARS

Michel Rolland gave an exclusive interview to AndesWines.com where he radically changed his vision of Chilean Wines- in fact – now, few days ago confirmed that “Chile has progressed very much during the last 15 years and numerous wines, today, show the enormous potential of this country.

The history is only beginning and Chile will confirm the leadership in the major producing wine countries in the world.” He also refers to new wine regions in Argentina since it is an interesting part of his profession. “Rio Negro, due to the latitude and the South of Buenos Aires are new wine areas that need to be explored and where the viticulture is recent. I have always liked to work for new projects. Rio Negro is a land that has possibilities to produce real quality wines”

Rolland, during the last thirty years as wine consultant has worked with over 200 wineries in 17 countries and now, he thinks, he would work with another Chilean winery if Casa Lapostolle authorizes him to do it, which is not the occasion now.

On the other side of the Andes- Argentina- Rolland started to work with several wine regions like Neuquén, Mendoza and South of Buenos Aires, besides the wines he is consulting for Clos de los Siete Wine Investment Group with French partners.

In Chile, a few days ago, the Argentine wines of Rolland participated in a Tasting for the “Circulo del Vino de Andes Wines” – Val de Flores (2004), Cuvelier Los Andes (Collection 2005), Grand Vin (2005), Monteviejo 2005, Linda Flor (Petite Fleur), besides Clos Apalta of Casa Lapostolle from Colchagua Valley in Chile. The wines were tasted by journalists, enologists and sommeliers in the Club Union el Golf, reaffirming that the favourite of all the tasted wines was the Chilean wine, another sign that Chile has started to work the upscale wine since the last 15 years.

AndesWines.com asked Rolland about the emblematic vine-stock of Argentina – The Malbec- and he said “The Malbec found a special place in Argentina. We could think that in other areas you can get very good wines, but will take a lot of time to discover the best sites and to understand the best conditions for winemaking. Argentina and Cahors’s region in France already have a history with Malbec’s very old vineyards.”

What do you think about the evolution of the Chilean wines lately? Some day we will see Michel Rolland in other wine valleys of Chile advising in the future?

Chile has progressed very much during the last 15 years and numerous wines, today, show the enormous potential of this country. The history is only beginning and Chile will confirm the leadership in the major producing countries in the world.

When I started working for Casa Lapostolle Lapostolle, he granted exclusivity at that time and there are little chances that I would take another consulting in Chile, except if Casa Lapostolle authorizes me to, but it is not the case today.

Can you tell us which other vine-stocks- non traditional- according to you have potential to be developed?

Great part of my work is, certainly, based on traditional vine-stocks. But in Portugal and Brazil, we work with the vine-stocks called Tourriga. This vine-stock shows very interesting characteristics.

In all the countries where I travel, if national vine-stocks exist, I try to see if it is possible to work them and do interesting wines. It will take a lot of time to obtain the adapted vineyard and to understand these vine-stocks in order to get the maximum quality wines.

Any message for new winemakers who are beginning to work and are unmotivated for this complex and competitive industry?

Always there is competition in all the fields. The enologists must do the best possible wines in the regions where they are. Because of it, a lot of work, curiosity and enthusiasm is needed. It is the secret of the success and is what allows to take a fantastic life as I have.

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