Can Chile’s famous wine industry rebuild after quake?: Q&A with a wine importer

If you’re like me, you enjoy a fine “Two Buck Chuck” wine from Trader Joe’s with your dinner, especially when company’s over, right? With one of the world’s most powerful earthquakes in a century battering famed wine making country Chile> on February 27, one question has prevades as country rebuilds itself:

Can Chile’s famous wine industry rebuild after quake?

Alfredo S. Bartholomaus says, “YES!”

And he should know. Born and raised in Chile, Bartholomaus is a successful pioneer of wines, who in 2001 and 2005 was selected as one of The Wine Advocates “Wine Personalities of the Year.” As a young man, Alfredo hitchhiked to the United States in pursuit of his dream to bring the wines of Chile to the United States. Today, Bartholomaus works with Winebow whose portfolio includes wines from Chile, Argentina, Germany, Alsace, New Zealand and California. In addition, they now serve as not only importers, but also marketers and producers.

According to Bartholomaus, the quake will not affect the taste of the product and most wineries will be able to ship their wines within the next few weeks.

Bartholomaus: “The Valley of Aconcagua, Casablanca, San Antonio and Maipo Valley had minor damages,” but adds that “the ones most affected are Cachapoal, Colchagua, Curico and Maule Valleys which lost about $250 million in wines–about 12 % of the National inventories.”

So drink up!