The Chilean Wine industry and Viña Errázuriz will remember the 23rd of January 2004, as the day of the ‘Berlin Tasting’. Thirty-six of Europe’s most highly regarded wine journalists, writers and buyers met in Berlin to blind taste sixteen wines - six Chilean, six French and four Italian from the 2000 and 2001 vintages, divided into three Chilean 2001 wines; three French 2001 wines; four Italian 2000 wines and three apiece from Chile and France from the 2000 vintage.

In an historic decision, established French classics such as Château Lafite, Château Margaux, Château Latour, and Italian cult wines Tignanello, Sassicaia, Solaia and Guado al Tasso were placed by judges a distance behind the two winning wines, both from Chile.

Viñedo Chadwick 2000 from Viña Errázuriz’s Maipo Valley was placed first ahead of the Seña 2001 (a partnership wine between Viña Errázuriz and Robert Mondavi of California). In third place came Château Lafite 2000. Berlin’s new Ritz Carlton Hotel was the perfect setting for this two day event which gathered some of the most respected wine journalists, writers and European trade. The first night, guests had the chance to taste old vintages of Seña (1995 to 1998) and Don Maximiano Founder’s Reserve (1995 to 1998) through a five course dinner specially prepared by Chef Thomas Kellermann. Guests were able to see the evolution of these wines through the years and taste the true essence of the Aconcagua Valley terroir. The next day started with a seminar. ‘Three Terroirs’ was the title of Eduardo Chadwick´s presentation comparing Bordeaux, Tuscany and Chile and showing how geography affects wine. The lecture was followed by the now historic ‘Berlin Tasting’.