There must be something in the water, because I’ve enjoyed almost every wine I’ve ever tasted from Chile. So when Montes Wine approached us about hosting a tasting of their latest and greatest, we really had to think about it…KIDDING! An opportunity to catch up and laugh with our pals while treating our taste buds to delicious wines and Chilean fare? WE WERE IN. 221A2606221A2670With a lil’ guidance from our sommelier for the evening, we tried four of Montes’ most popular wines and learned how to best pair them with different meals and snacks. 221A2641A few tasting notes about each of the wines we got to try:221A2617Montes Twins Sauvignon Blanc 2015 ($11.90)

Light and fruity without being too sweet. With refreshing notes of pineapple and citrus, we thought this wine was perfect for summer BBQs. Interestingly, a lot of the red drinkers in our squad really enjoyed this white.

Recommended pairings: Caesar salad, seafood dishes (chowder, ceviche), pastas with cream sauces and lemon chicken.221A2683221A2704Montes Twins Malbec/Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 $12.95

One of the favourites of the group, thanks to the rich taste and alcohol content (14 per cent, baby!!!). Fruity and bodacious with black berries and sweet and spicy notes like tobacco leaf and fresh coffee, we found this guy to be a great sipping wine.

Recommended pairings: Spicy food and steak.221A2751221A2776Montes Alpha Malbec 2012 (18.95)

Complex and full-bodied, we were surprised most by the delicate combination of vanilla, coffee and dairy notes.

Recommended pairings: BBQ, grilled pork and chicken, chili and Mexican mole dishes.221A2800221A2785Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 ($19.95)

All of our favourite things combined into a single wine: cherries in syrup, black currants and a touch of jam (YUM!) with subtle touches of nutmeg and rich toast.

Recommended pairings: Red meat, pastas with Bolognese meat sauce, lamb chops and rich dishes with mushroom gravy.221A2653The night proved to be a huge hit with our friends, and we were all thrilled to discover new wines that we really, REALLY enjoyed. While the expenses of our party were generously taken care of by Montes, this is something that I’d love to keep doing with my girlfriends. As evidenced, a wine tasting doesn’t need to break the bank. All you need is four great bottles of wine, some snacks and a little bit of research to throw your very own fun and memorable wine tasting. You should totally do it, and Montes Wine is a great place to start. You can learn more about the brand here and follow along on social with hash #MontesAngel.