BERLIN TASTING
20 YEARS OF THE BERLIN TASTING:
Celebrating the legacy and excellence of Viña Errázuriz
Two decades on, the legacy of the Berlin Tasting continues to echo, celebrating the triumph of vision, quality, and the enduring excellence of the Chilean terroir. This year, 2024, we commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Berlin Tasting, a pivotal moment when Eduardo Chadwick's vision, owner of Viña Errázuriz, forever transformed the global perception of Chilean wine.
The Berlin Tasting
Taking inspiration from the 1976 "Judgment of Paris," Viña Errázuriz took the initiative to organize a blind tasting, recognized as one of the most professional and unbiased methodologies for presenting and evaluating wines. This event was held in 2004 in Berlin, led by Steven Spurrier, a luminary in the wine world. Esteemed European wine critics tasted legendary vintages from the First Growths of Italian Super Tuscans and the Grand Cru of Bordeaux, France. The results were enlightening. Two wines from Viña Errázuriz claimed the first and second places, and Don Maximiano was acknowledged among the top ten wines worldwide. The Berlin Tasting marked a milestone not only for Viña Errázuriz but also for the Chilean wine industry, empirically demonstrating that Chilean wines can compete at the highest level with the world's most prestigious fine wines, thus consolidating Chile's image as a world-class wine producer.
This event was the precursor to a decade of blind tastings around the world, always with the support of Steven Spurrier. A total of 22 events were held in 18 international markets, involving more than 1,400 experts from the wine industry. In 20 of these 22 events, Chile ranked among the top three places, securing an impressive 90% of the preferences and demonstrating a remarkable consistency in quality. Don Maximiano particularly stood out, securing first place in 5 of these events, thus becoming the wine that achieved this top position most frequently throughout the tour. KAI, our iconic Carmenere wine, won first place at the New York event in 2010.
The 20th-anniversary commemoration of the Berlin Tasting kicked off in Berlin in February 2024 and will continue throughout the year with 15 events in major wine cities around the world, culminating in Santiago de Chile in November. Through these celebrations, Viña Errázuriz pays tribute to the exceptional qualities and potential of Chilean fine wines, consolidating its position as a benchmark of quality in the global industry.
Berlin Tasting 20 th Anniversary
2024 Tour
