Restuarant Spotlight: Barrica 94
Barrica 94
I fell in love with Barrica 94 over a year ago, on my first trip to Chile. It is located in the Bellavista neighborhood of Santiago. A gathering of restaurants and shops face inwards on a city block with the center bustling with excitement. From the outside, it is easy to miss, you just have to listen for the noise coming from within.
The atmosphere at Barrica 94 is reminiscent of Minneapolis's Prince. There are tasteful accents of purple, suede, and leather throughout the restaurant. Barrica 94 feels intimate yet welcoming with outdoor seating on the patio or above on the balcony. This restaurant is perfect for anyone who wants to experience the tastes of Chile in the heart of its capital.
I like to drink wine, but I love to taste wine, and Barrica 94 has great options for tasting. They have selected flights to represent the different styles of wine made in Chile. Alternately, wine is offered by the half glass, which I think is an awesome option. Of course, traditional glass and bottle service is available as well.
I was joined at Barrica 94 by two friends, whom are also working a harvest in Chile. I am thankful for my friends for many reasons, but sharing wine with them, is definitely at the top of the list. Together, we explored three different tasting flights. Each flight offered something different with a few standout wines. For anyone who is interested in Chilean wine producers, this list is full of notable producers. Below, I have included our three flights listed as Producer, Wine Name, Variety.
Flight #1: Chile no es solo tintos. Disfruta de estos blancos que te sorprenderán. Chile is not just reds. Enjoy these whites that will surprise you.
Errázuriz, Single Vineyard, Pinot Gris
Cono Sur, Block 23, Riesling
Koyle, Don Cande, Moscatel
Casa Marín, Casona, Gewürztraminer
Flight #2: Déjate llevar por la calidad de estos productores y sorpréndete. Get carried away by the quality of these producers and be amazed.
Bodegas Re, SyraNoir, Syrah/Pinot Noir
Carter Mollenhauer, Ciénaga de Name, Carignan
García Schwaderer, Facundo, Carignan/Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc/Petit Verdot
Polkura, Block G+i, Syrah
Flight #3: Deleitate con las distintas expresiones de nuestro terroir.
Delight in the different expressions of our terroir.
Casa Marín, Viñedos Lo Abarca #2, Sauvignon Blanc
Calyptra, Gran Reserva, Chardonnay
Montes, Alpha, Carmenere
Concha y Toro, Terrunyo, Cabernet Sauvignon
The food mirrored the quality of wine and, once again, it was perfect for sharing. We decided on appetizers and took turns pairing the food to the wine. With such a variety of both, it made for some interesting combinations.
The “Pecking of the Sea” sampler platter was at the center of the table. This platter contained the always welcomed, Ceviche: fish cooked in lemon juice with onions, peppers, and fresh cilantro. Grilled octopus was skewered with an herb sauce drizzled over the char; and of course, oysters! In addition to the seafood platter, we opted for two different crostinis. One was a steak tartar marinated in a balsamic reduction, the other consisting of ricotta cheese, layered avocados, and topped with smoked salmon.
The tasting flights plus the food spread was the perfect option for getting a taste of Chile. I loved the variety and was thrilled by everything that was served. So, that is why I had to go back again.
My second trip to Barrica 94 was just as impressive. This time it was a date with my boyfriend, my favorite person to discuss wine with. As the mid-day sun made us beg for shade, we wanted nothing else except a refreshing bottle of sparkling wine. Our choice: Bodegas RE’s Blanc de Noir “Nature Virgen” made in the metodo tradicional. This wine is first fermented in barrels and then aged with its lees in bottle for two years. Not to reveal too much about my habits, but towards the end of this bottle, the wine becomes a bit hazy and tinted with the lightest of pinks. A sign of its sediments and its aging. We paired this with baked Camembert cheese wrapped in filo dough, topped with caramelized walnuts and adorned with papaya chutney. The sparkling wine cut through the richness of the baked cheese, while the richness of the dish was complimentary towards the lees-aged wine.
Barrica 94 will remain at the top of my list for places to visit in Santiago. The casual and friendly atmosphere is enhanced by the wine and food presentations. I still have some time left in Chile, so I am bound to be back for round three!