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March 07, 2007

Chile | South America   10:44 AM
Joining Us in Chile.

The morning was a bit hectic as we needed to be at Santiago Airport before noon to pick up Angie who's flying in from California to meet Tim and I and take on the next segment of this outrageious yet thoroughly enjoyable influx of visitors while I'm in South America. I've got to admit I'm rather lucky to have such friends. As I planned this journey many friends and family eagerly and with true intent said they'd meet me somewhere on the road. But the complexities of schedule, commitments, costs and logistics make such an endeavor a challenge. But within the space of a couple weeks I'm graced with the pleasure of friends willing to explore and journey together on this fantastic continent.

We rushed back to Concon to take Melissa and Ralph back to the Tom Bowling. They have quite the workload to get the boat and the paperwork in order for a departure later this week. As for Tim and I and ultimately Angie, we've got a couple days more in Chile and then we journey to Argentina to the Mendoza wine region to take in the flavors and spirit of Argentina's greatest wine region.

But at the airport in Santiago something went amiss. We lost Angie. Actually, we never saw her. But waiting outside the international arrivals door, we kept a careful eye on the latest South American arrivals. But no sign of our new guest. Nearly and hour passed by. This was a bit alarming. No one wants to be lost in South America, or even worse, somewhere between the US and here. Finally, a porter walks up to me and taps on my shoulder, "Are you Allan?" He guides me to the front curb where Ms. Angie had been waiting while we had been waiting inside. With tears in her eyes she thought the worse. We weren't going to make it. But soon the tears dried up and the smiles grew as we headed to yet another of Chile's wine region. This time to visit the largest producer in Chile - Concho y Toro.

Concho y Toro was founded in 1883 by Don Melchor de Concha y Toro and Don Ramón Subercaseaux Mercado. Don Melchor was the grandson of Don Mateo de Toro y Zambrano, who presided over the first government following Chile's independence rom Spain in 1810.

Angie patiently waits for our tour guide to take us through this historic estate winery.

Concho y Toro tour guide Juan Carlos lets us taste nearly rip cabernet grapes.

19th Century Original House on the estate of Concho y Toro in Maipo Valley, Chile.

Down in the century old caves we find the iconic Casillero del Diablo, the wine that can be found virtually anywhere in the world.

After the first segment of our tour Angie & Tim wait for their pour of the "common" Concho y Toro wines, to be tasted outside under the veranda.

Mr. Amos contemplates the wines from Puente Alto and Maipo Valley.

The terrace outside tasting room and vinoteca at Concho y Toro in Chile. -- photo by Tim Amos

Inside the wine bar we have the opportunity to taste premium wines such as the Almariva, which is (sort of) the Opus One of Chile, a partnership between Baron Philippe de Rothschild of Bordeaux and Concho y Toro of Chile. -- photo by Tim Amos

Technorati Tags: Chile, Concho, Maipo, Motorcycle, South America, Travel, Wine, WorldRider

Posted by allan

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