@MontesWines

Becca Gomez Farrell @thegourmez: Ready to roll at 9AM for #SOMMchat with Aurelio Montes Sr of @MontesWines ! Will eggs & bacon go with these cab heavyweights?

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Great to see you here @thegourmez on #SommChat with @MontesWines today - look forward to your questions

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Welcome to #SommChat everyone! Tell your friends to join us to learn from #winemaker Aurelio Montes, Sr. @MontesWines!

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: We’d like to introduce you to Aurelio Montes @MontesWines! #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: We're about ready to dive in w/questions, so shout out to Aurelio @MontesWines to say hello & so he knows you're here! #WineWednesday #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Don't forget that EVERY tweet during this chat should include the #SommChat hashtag in order for everyone to see it!

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: As we ask Aurelio @MontesWines our Qs, you can ask Aurelio your Qs as well! He'll do his best to answer all Qs in the order they come #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: W so many participants lots of gr8 Q's R asked! Even if u dont ask 1--give a S/O 2 @KeeperColl & @MontesWines 2 let us know u R here! #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Let's start talking #wine with @MontesWines #WineWednesday #SommChat

Aurelio Montes Sr. for @MontesWines: Thanks for the invitation, happy to be here #SommChat

Becca Gomez Farrell @thegourmez: Hello, Aurelio! An honor to have you with us. #SommChat

Debbie Gioquindo, CSW @hvwinegoddess: Made it just in time for #SommChat. Hi Aurelio @WinesMontes

Boozy Epicure @BoozyEpicure: Excited to be here and I’ve brought some friends! Tweeting from Orlando:) #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Great to see you on #SommChat today and look forward to all of the peeps from #Orlando talking with @MontesWines

Dezel Quillen @myvinespot: Since this chat is primarily focused on “Cabernet Kings,” please share Cabernet Sauvignons' importance as well as influence on the Chilean wine scene—especially from Montes founding in 1988 to now. Thank you #SommChat

Aurelio Montes Sr. for @MontesWines: Since discovering Chilean Cab, it has been our flagship variety because of the quality and consistency #SommChat

Dezel Quillen @myvinespot: Within your portfolio, what are some of the main differences (in the vineyard and the resultant wines) you find in Cabernet Sauvignon from Colchagua Valley #Chile as opposed to Mendoza #Argentina? Thank you #SommChat

Aurelio Montes Sr. for @MontesWines: Cab Sauv from Colchagua has bigger tannins and more spiciness, while Argentina Cab has soft tannins and ripe red fruit #SommChat

Margot Savell @writeforwine: Good to know - thank you! #SommChat

Becca Gomez Farrell @thegourmez: Excited to explore this once I get to the Montes wines! #SommChat

Sandy Wasserman @SandyWasserman: Good morning Aurelio @MontesWines how did you get your start in the wine industry & who are your mentors? Thanks #SommChat

Aurelio Montes Sr. for @MontesWines: I was always interested in agronomy and happened to take a course in winemaking at university. From there I was hooked on this amazing wine world #SommChat

Debbie Gioquindo, CS @hvwinegoddess: Hey Sandy, long time no see. Glad to see you today #SommChat

Sandy Wasserman @SandyWasserman: Hi Debbie, the 10am #SommChat is tough for me some Wed's. Glad to be here, hope all is good upstate.

Debbie Gioquindo, CSW @hvwinegoddess: Noon is tough for me too. Just made it after a meeting #SommChat All good

OrlandoWineBlog @OrlandoWineBlog: #SOMMChat Happy to join @MontesWines tasting with @BoozyEpicure in #orlando!

OkieWineGirl @OkieWineGirl: Good morning all! Allison from Oklahoma here. Ready to hear all about #Cabs @MontesWines #SOMMchat #winechat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Hello @OkieWineGirl fr #SommChat great to see you today and hear UR Qs to @MontesWines

OkieWineGirl @OkieWineGirl: Glad to be here! #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: @MontesWines what is the #winemaking philosophy at Montes #Wines? #SommChat

Aurelio Montes Sr. for @MontesWines: Our philosophy is to produce wine from special terroir and express the real taste of our culture. It is also very important for us to work with big precision in winemaking #SommChat

OkieWineGirl @OkieWineGirl: Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon #SommChat

OkieWineGirl @OkieWineGirl: Hi Aurelio @MontesWines what encourages you about Chilean Cabernet in the global market? #SOMMchat #winechat

Aurelio Montes Sr. for @MontesWines: We have amazing terroir conditions where the grapes grow and ripen in the perfect way for Cab #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Q fr #SommChat #Somm how did @MontesWines decide to get so involved with #Cabernet in #Chile and how long ago did you decide this?

Aurelio Montes Sr. for @MontesWines: I have been working with Cab since the beginning of the 70´s and I knew that the quality was unique in Chile #SommChat

Martin Redmond @martinredmond: Wow! With that much experience, that has to be a plus for transitioning to the next generation! #SommChat

Becca Gomez Farrell @thegourmez: @MontesWines Q. Can you talk about how the high elevation affects your wines' terroir? I remember being quite impressed with that. #SommChat

Aurelio Montes Sr. for @MontesWines: High elevation is only important in Argentina, because we are looking for cooler climates - in the lower lands the climate is too hot @Syrah_Queen #SommChat

Sandy Wasserman @SandyWasserman: Q. Aurelio anything new and exciting we can expect from @MontesWines in 2018? #SommChat

Aurelio Montes Sr. for @MontesWines: Next year we are launching our Outer Limits Cinsault from Itata Valley, amongst others #SommChat

Becca Gomez Farrell @thegourmez: Ooh, that sounds really exciting! #SommChat #wine

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Welcome @SandyWasserman back to #SommChat always lots to learn fr @MontesWines

Debbie Gioquindo, CSW @hvwinegoddess: Is this a first Cinsault for you? What others are in the works? #SommChat

Aurelio Montes Sr. for @MontesWines: It is the first Cinsault made by us - we are also working intensively on the Mission grape #SommChat

Martin Redmond @martinredmond: The Mission grape. Wow interesting variety. Mostly used for sacramental and sweet wines in California. Are you planning to vinify it dry? #SommChat

Becca Gomez Farrell @thegourmez: Excellent question! Tell us more @MontesWines #SommChat

Aurelio Montes Sr. for @MontesWines: We´ve had good prelim results with dry wines so far, but are never closed to new ideas #SommChat

Becca Gomez Farrell @thegourmez: Very intriguing! #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: @hvwinegoddess so great to see and hear you today on #SomMChat Happy #WW

Debbie Gioquindo, CSW @hvwinegoddess: Great to be here! Happy #WW to you too! #SommChat

Brianne Cohen @SOMMspirations: Oh, interesting! I remember learning about that grape in my WSET program. Vinifera grape brought over from Spain, correct? That will be neat to try!

Becca Gomez Farrell @thegourmez: Loved the @MontesWines Sauvignon Blanc in 2015 at the Wine Bloggers Conference. Excited to try cabs today! #SommChat

Debbie Gioquindo, CSW @hvwinegoddess: I missed that one Becca #SommChat

Becca Gomez Farrell @thegourmez: Bummer! We had Jr there to guide us through the lovely Montes and Kaiken #wines Excited to have Sr today! #SommChat

Debbie Gioquindo, CSW @hvwinegoddess: I wonder where I was for that one #SommChat

Rupal Shankar @Syrah_Queen: Of course I was first attracted to his Syrahs. But really enjoying these big Cabs also

OkieWineGirl @OkieWineGirl: Their SB was my firstever @MontesWines! The Cabernets are quickly becoming another fav #SommChat

Becca Gomez Farrell @thegourmez: Mine too! #SommChat

Margot Savell @writeforwine: I tried @MontesWines Sauv Blanc recently too - loved it. And love Cabs, so this is much appreciated.

Becca Gomez Farrell @thegourmez: Excellent #SommChat

Orlando Wine Blog @OrlandoWineBlog: Hi Becca, good to see you!

Becca Gomez Farrell @thegourmez: And you all! #SommChat

Debbie Gioquindo, CSW @hvwinegoddess: What are the biggest changes you have seen in the wine industry in both Argentina and Chile? #SommChat @MontesWines

Aurelio Montes Sr. for @MontesWines: In both countries we have seen a big growth in diversity both in terroir and varieties #SommChat

Boozy Epicure @BoozyEpicure: @MontesWines What made you decide to expand to Argentina? #SommChat

Aurelio Montes Sr. for @MontesWines: Being so close, but having such a different terroir, we challenged ourselves not only to open a new country, but also understand new terroir and culture #SommChat

Boozy Epicure @BoozyEpicure: I’m really enjoying the Kaiken wines, the Ultra is pretty fab especially for the price point:)

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Hello @BoozyEpicure great to see you here on #SommChat today with @MontesWines

Martin Redmond @martinredmond: Q Aurelio @MontesWines What drives the differences between the #Montes and @KaikenWines brands?#SommChat #winechat

Aurelio Montes Sr. for @MontesWines: Each brand not only represents a different terroir, but also different cultures #SommChat

Aurelio Montes Sr. for @MontesWines: Argentina has a continental climate, whereas Chile has a mediterranean climate, which changes the wine styles completely #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: @martindredmond thanks for UR questions today on #SommChat with @MontesWines so much for all to learn

Becca Gomez Farrell @thegourmez: The @KaikenWinesUS 2014 Cab Sav, Malbec, and Petit Verdot series is giving me the sense of adventure when I step outside for a walk: fresh greenery, cement, lemon balm, delightfully sharp tannins, cassis, mocha, and tart cherry. #SommChat

Debbie Gioquindo, CSW @hvwinegoddess: I got some spice on the finish on that one. Really enjoyed it #SommChat

Becca Gomez Farrell @thegourmez: Oh, for sure. Quite nice! On to the next! #SommChat

Brianne Cohen @SOMMspirations: Had some technical difficulties this AM but excited to join @jenoflanagan to discuss @MontesWines and @KaikenWinesUS @KaikenWines!! #SommChat

Rupal Shankar @Syrah_Queen: #SommChat Can you describe the variations in these three Cabernets we are tasting? Soil, climate etc?

Aurelio Montes Sr. for @MontesWines: Montes M is a blend of Cab and other varieties from Apalta vineyard. Alpha Cab is a blend of different Cabs from Colchagua. Kaiken Cab is pure from vistalba aluvial soil #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Good Q @Syrah_Queen #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: @MontesWines what is it about the places in #Chile where your #vineyards are located that makes them so great for #winemaking? #SommChat

Aurelio Montes Sr. for @MontesWines: Our vineyards are located in the best place for each variety. For our reds, we prefer Colchagua. Depending of the variety we plant in flat places or very steep slopes #SommChat

Aurelio Montes Sr. for @MontesWines: For whites and pinot noir we plant close to the coast, in Casablanca, Leyda and Zapallar, for the influence of the ocean that cools down the temperatures #SommChat @KeeperColl

Brianne Cohen @SOMMspirations: This makes me think of 2 words from my Chile wine studies: transverse valleys!

Dezel Quillen @myvinespot: "From the vineyard rows to the cellar, we meticulously study every variable in the winemaking process. Our commitment to method and process is almost obsessive; nothing is left to chance." ~ @MontesWines #SommChat #wine #quote

Rupal Shankar @Syrah_Queen: love a good wine quote. Nice. 😊😊

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Hello @SOMMspirations to #SommChat today with @MontesWines great to have you on board

Becca Gomez Farrell @thegourmez: Good ? ! #SommChat

Margot Savell @writeforwine: Yes! Sorry, meant that to be implicit. Good quality indeed! #SommChat

Becca Gomez Farrell @thegourmez: Ha ha, that's my confusion created! I meant to say good question! Not that I questioned whether you thought they were quality. Oh the modern age of communication. 😆 #SommChat

Brianne Cohen @SOMMspirations: In a sea of Argentinian Malbec, how does your Cab Sauv stand out? Is there some consumer training involved, as all they know from Argentina is Malbec? @jenoflanagan @KeeperColl @MontesWines @KaikenWines. #SommChat

Rupal Shankar @Syrah_Queen: Great question.

OkieWineGirl @OkieWineGirl: Q: On the website, Montes looks like you might be a family affair? #SommChat @MontesWines

Debbie Gioquindo, CSW @hvwinegoddess: What are the barrel program on each of the cabs? New, used %? #SommChat @MontesWines

Aurelio Montes Sr. for @MontesWines: Montes M 100% new French barrels. Alpha 55% barrels (1st, 2nd, 3rd) #SommChat

Just the Bottle @justthebottle: Q - could you discuss a little about your water saving program at @MontesWines? #SOMMChat

Aurelio Montes Sr. for @MontesWines: We do partial and dryland (no) irrigation on our vineyard properties, saving enough water for 20.000 people to use in a year #SommChat

Dezel Quillen @myvinespot: "Montes Alpha Cab Sauv was the 1st premium wine from Chile; the ground-breaker and remains the brilliant wine it has always been. Now a legend, the Alpha Cab Sauv 1987 was our first vintage; the pioneer that showed the way to all others in Chile" ~ @MontesWines #SommChat #factoid

Orlando Wine Blog @OrlandoWineBlog: #SOMMChat Really enjoying the @KaikenWines Ultra. Definitely our favorite of the bunch for me and @BoozyEpicure here in #Orlando! @KaikenWinesUS @KeeperColl

Boozy Epicure @boozyepicure: So fun tasting with you today:)

Becca Gomez Farrell @thegourmez: I enjoyed the Terroir series more myself! Just moving on to the Montes Wines now....#SommChat

OkieWineGirl @okiewinegirl: Us too! So elegant. Gives lovely view of Argentina #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: @MontesWines how would you characterize the Cabernet e #wines you make? How age worthy are they? #SommChat

Aurelio Montes Sr. for @MontesWines: Our cabernet is a very elegant wine, with very deep color and some spicy aromas, but the most amazing part is it is soft and long, the tanins shows in a perfect balance with the acidity. Cabernet can age not less than 15 years. #SommChat

Debbie Gioquindo, CSW @hvwinegoddess: I found it so enjoyable, smooth and soft and balanced #SommChat

Becca Gomez Farrell @thegourmez: The 2015 Kaiken Ultra Mendoza Cabernet Sauvignon is more tannic than its brother, perhaps needing more opening time. I get limestone, granite, and a fresh wash of cranberry, plum, and cool bed sheets. I'd let it put me to bed on a hot summer night. 😎 #SOMMchat

Debbie Gioquindo, CSW @hvwinegoddess: This went really well with goat cheese #SommChat

Becca Gomez Farrell @thegourmez: Funny, I thought of goats with my first whiff! But not in a bad way! Pleasant memories. #SommChat

Rupal Shankar @Syrah_Queen: #SommChat @MontesWines is certified sustainable. Any possibilities of becoming organic?

Aurelio Montes Sr. for @MontesWines: Indeed we are certified sustainable - we do not discard producing organic wines, but it is not foreseen for the near future #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: @MontesWines can you tell us about your 2012 Montes Alpha M Red Wine Apalta Single Estate? #SommChat

Aurelio Montes Sr. for @MontesWines: It is one of our flagships, made with tradition and passion. 2012 was a normal year, so it is very sophisticated, elegant and equilibrated. It was aged for 18 mo. in new French barrels and is 80% cabernet sauv, 10% cabernet franc, 5% merlot & 5% petit verdot #SommChat

Margot Savell @writeforwine: Is this referring to 2012 Montes Alpha M Red Wine Apalta Single Estate? Thanks! #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Yes

Brianne Cohen @SOMMspirations: #WineWednesday in full effect at my household! Come over to #SommChat where me and other #sommeliers and #wineprofessionals answer your toughest questions during a dialogue with Aurelio Montes Sr from @MontesWines. 15 minutes to go! @KeeperColl

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: @MontesWines what are some of the things you like about your 2014 Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon Colchagua Valley? #SommChat

Aurelio Montes Sr. for @MontesWines: This year was a warmer, so it has nice, ripe red fruit, with very silky tannins and a long finish #SommChat

OkieWineGirl @okiewinegirl: "Montes maintains a strong focus on sustainable culture, believing that environmentalism and social responsibility go hand in hand." The result - official certification by the Global Reporting Initiative #SommChat @MontesWines #factoid

Margot Savell @writeforwine: Will our questions that haven't been answered be sent to us here later or via email? I know it's been busy and time is flying @MontesWines. So fun and informative. Thank you! #SommChat

Jen O’Flanagan @jenoflanagan: we sure can if you’d like us to! :)

Margot Savell @writeforwine: Yes please - I have two questions sent awhile ago. But that's fine -- the questions from @KeeperColl that are being answered are much more interesting! :)

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: @MontesWines can you describe the taste of your 2015 Kaiken Cabernet Sauvignon Ultra Mendoza? #SommChat #SommChat

Aurelio Montes Sr. for @MontesWines: This cabernet comes from Vistalba, 800 mts from mendoza river, so its a ripe wine with notes of red fruit, and very soft tannins. #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: @MontesWines what makes your 2014 Kaiken Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec Petit Verdot Terroir Series Mendoza special? #SommChat #SommChat

Aurelio Montes Sr. for @MontesWines: It is a very Argentinean blend, Cabernet from Vistalba, Malbec from Uco Valley and Petit Verdot from Tupungato, making this wine very complex. #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: @MontesWines what are some of the challenges of working in the #winemaking industry today? #SommChat

Aurelio Montes Sr. for @MontesWines: The biggest challange today it is that now you compete with all the world, so there is no space for mistakes, precisión in winemaking it´s very important. The expression of our terroir is the key to success. #SommChat

Melanie @vinogger: It’s all about the dirt right? #SommChat

Boozy Epicure @boozyepicure: I keep going back to the differences between these two. The structure is leaner and greener in Alpha Cab, more round in the Alpha M. How different were the two vintages?#SommChat

Aurelio Montes Sr. for @MontesWines: Beyond different vintages, these are also two completely different wines (blend composition). M has 18 months in barrels, as opposed to 12 months for Alpha #SommChat

Rupal Shankar @Syrah_Queen: #SommChat Three beautiful Cabernet with district styles. Kaiken Ultra 2015 brilliant with nice tannic structure. Nice fruit. @KaikenWines @jenoflanagan @KeeperColl

Melanie @vinogger: @MontesWines hola am at fed ex as we speak picking up tomorrow he wines for today’s #SommChat #betterlatethannever

Jen O’Flanagan @jenoflanagan: Hi Melanie - we can send you all of the Q’s and A’s if you’d like via email

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: @MontesWines how has Montes #Wines changed since you started it in 1988? #SommChat

Aurelio Montes Sr. for @MontesWines: Since we started we have changed many things. We now own 70% of the vineyards, we have our own winery, and we have increased our environmental conservation efforts. In winemaking we have change very little, we believe in tradition and our style. #SommChat

Becca Gomez Farrell @thegourmez: That tradition and style are working quite well for you, @MontesWines! #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: @MontesWines Do you plan on planting Cabernet Sauvignon in any new regions? #SommChat

Okie Wine Girl @okiewinegirl: Thank you, Aurelio, for sharing your passion/expertise in Cabernet Sauvignon and the amazing #wines of Chile & Argentina! Very enjoyable way to spend #WineWednesday @MonteWines @KeeperColl #SommChat Cheers!

Becca Gomez Farrell @thegourmez: On to the Montes 2014 Alpha Cab Sav from Colchagua Valley: a whiff takes me to the days I took care of goats = Pleasant memories and notes of hay. It's a very rich raspberry and strawberry, with a touch of mace that smoothes rather than yields spice. Quite lovely. #SOMMchat

Debbie Gioquindo, CSW @hvwinegoddess: Thank you Aurelio for including me in today's #SommChat. Every time your wines get better and better and amaze me. Cheers and Happy Holidays!

Margot Savell @writeforwine: Agree! Thank you! #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Time to wrap up! Hope you enjoyed this hour of #wine talk with Aurelio Montes @MontesWines #WineWednesday #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: It was great to have #Chile #Winemaker Aurelio Montes @MontesWines join us today for #SommChat. We hope everyone learned as much as we did! #WineWednesday

Becca Gomez Farrell @thegourmez: Indeed! And I'm still moving on to the Alpha M...saving the big guns for last in this morning tasting. $90 SRP! #SOMMChat #wine #cabsav

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Please join us in thanking Aurelio @MontesWines for his time #SommChat

Becca Gomez Farrell @thegourmez: Thanks so much, Aurelio! #SommChat

Aurelio Montes Sr. for @MontesWines: My thanks to you for joining us, always great to talk about wine! #SommChat

Boozy Epicure @boozyepicure: Thank you so much Aurelio Montes and @MontesWines for hosting today’s #SommChat. A delicious and informative way to spend #WineWednesday @KeeperColl

Margot Savell @writeforwine: Ditto! Thank you! @MontesWines #SommChat

Rupal Shankar @Syrah_Queen: #SommChat Thank you Aurelio for an amazing lunchtime break with your three outstanding #cabernetsauvignon . Such an informative session. @MontesWines @KaikenWines @jenoflanagan @KeeperColl

Brianne Cohen @SOMMspirations: Wine #3: Montes Alpha M '12 Chile. Red (cherry/plum/rasp) + black fruit (blk current), licorice, vanilla, caramel and toast from 18mos new French oak.Bordeaux blend: 80% Cab, 10% Cab Franc, 5% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot.#SommChat @jenoflanagan @MontesWines @KeeperColl

Dezel Quillen @myvinespot: Such a great way to spend lunch break & #WineWednesday! Thanks for your time, tweets, and insight @KeeperColl @MontesWines. I’m going to have to fire up the grill and enjoy the remainder of these Cabernets. Cheers! #SommChat (#wine convo every Wed from Noon~1PM EST).

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Thanks to all who joined in on #SommChat today with @MontesWines look forward so seeing you all in the future at 12N ET each Wednesday!

OkieWineGirl @okiewinegirl: I forgot to ask! What's yout Favorite food pairing w #CabernetSauvignon? Thanks! @MontesWines @KeeperColl #SommChat

Jen O’Flanagan @jenoflanagan: @MontesWines will happily answer any unanswered #SommChat questions and I’ll email them to everyone. Thanks for participating!