Curicó Fiesta de la Vendimia
What's that? A Wine Harvest Festival?! Count me in! All across Chile, cities take their turn at hosting a Fiesta de la Vendimia. I had the opportunity to go to the city of Curicó to check out what exactly happens at one of these events; and I was pleasantly surprised.
A festival isn't a festival without food. First stop: empanadas. Empanadas are a staple food in Chile, and they speak to my Wisconsin side. A light pastry dough filled with cheese plus [insert any ingredients] and fried to perfection. While walking down the food truck alley, you can easily tell who makes the best food by the length of the line. I waited over 30 minutes for my turn at the prize. Half of the menu was crossed out from the large crowds, so I decided on a mystery empanada (I'm still working on my Spanish.) As I took my first bite, I was comforted by the warm, melting cheese. However, the real treat was the mussels, spinach, and rich cream filling. I had time while I waited in line to grab a Carmenere Rose from Vina Apaltagua. The wine was quite simple on its own but was perfect to cut through the rich savory of the empanada.
Round two: Barbecued meat. I could write about the smell alone, but I will save that memory for myself. The Meat Street, as I like to call it, was composed of almost 20 vendors with open flame grills and every cut of meat imaginable. My choice was chicken on a stick with a glass of Valdivieso sparkling wine. Convenience is key when there is so much more to see.
That brings me to the next festival attraction: Music and Entertainment. Curicó was alive with the sounds of Chile. There was a main stage for the headlining performers. The Saturday night show brought a crowd so large that I was brought to a standstill multiple times while trying to walk to my next destination. Although the scheduled performers may have been the highlight for most, I was more entranced by the street performers who came out for their time to shine.
Chinchineros are the common musical street performers found in Chile. These groups vary in age and gender, but the style and craftsmanship are easy to recognize. Large bass drums topped with a cymbal are held on the backs of performers with a rope connected around his/her ankle. Elaborate choreography is highlighted by members twirling at lightning fast speed while still playing their instruments. Another common feature is to put the youngest male up front for a performance to the ladies; this includes lots of winking, pointing, kiss blowing, and slow motion hip circles. It is nearly impossible not to watch these groups in action.
By now you must be wondering, "What about the wine?" This is the Fiesta de la Vendimia after all. Wineries were well represented with each winery showcasing a number of their products. This festival ran on a ticket basis where 1-3 tickets could get you a hefty glass of wine. This concept is great for most people looking to enjoy a glass or two while shopping around the markets. However, it is not ideal for those looking to sample many of the area's wines.
Fortunately, I go was graciously hosted by a nearby winery and their family. Here, I was able to try some impressive wines, eat a fabulous paella, and most importantly, meet some very amazing people. But that is for another post!
The few wines I did try (with the help of my friends) were of good quality. My biggest takeaway was the exposure to different wineries and brands from the Curicó region. This was a great opportunity to see what wineries had to offer and to make some hasty first impressions. I have included a few pictures of the wines that I tried, but you can also check out more at Valle de Curió.
