Pais Blanco is an absolutely compelling acidity and mineral-driven white that’s made from a rare white mutation of the Pais grape. Bouchon discovered this wild mutation in his Pais ‘jungle’ vines that are dry-farmed and date back over 120 years!  The grapes are fermented naturally with native yeast and aged in clay amphora, which allows for naturally occurring micro-oxygenation that enhances flavors and adds complexity. Bottled un-fined and un-filtered, Pais Salvaje is highlighted by its fresh orchard, tart apple and stone fruit flavors amongst more subtle white flower and herbal notes. Slightly savory and generous yet fresh in mouth, this pairs well with grilled fish, lighter pasta dishes or summer salads.

The Bouchon history begins with an adventurous young French vigneron’s dream almost a century and a half ago. In the spring of 1887, Emile Bouchon left his small hometown of Arveyres, on the outskirts of Bordeaux to board a ship to Chile where a winemaking job was waiting for him. Eventually, he came to own an antique wine cellar in the Colchagua Valley, turning it into one of the most prominent vineyards of that era. The tradition was then passed down for generations.

The story comes full circle when Emile’s grandson, Julio, traveled to Bordeaux in the late 1970’s to study oenology and then returned to Chile to apply his newfound knowledge. His pursuit of granitic soils and old vines led him to the interior, dry area of the Maule Valley where he purchased a remote property with old, dry-farmed vineyards, cement tanks and simple adobe structures dating to the mid 1800’s. Thus J. Bouchon winery was born.