The starting point of the Chilean wine brand Escudo Rojo is to authentically express the character, identity and flavors of Chilean soil. The next step is where Escudo Rojo and Baron Philippe de Rothschild add their roles. It is about combining Chile's identity with French know-how. Rather than a blockbuster style that relies only on power, we aim to craft an elegant and refined style of wine with meticulous care, like France's top-tier Grand Cru wines.
Escudo Rojo is a brand introduced in Chile by the French Bordeaux wine house Baron Philippe de Rothschild. Gonzalo Castro, head winemaker of Escudo Rojo and of the Chilean subsidiary of Baron Philippe de Rothschild, said this in an interview with ChosunBiz at Lotte Avenuel in Songpa District, Seoul, on the 20th.
He said, Escudo Rojo has established itself as a gastronomic and elegant wine while putting down deep roots in Chile's identity, adding, The DNA of Escudo Rojo includes the vibrant fruit flavors, pure taste and intense aromas unique to Chilean wine. What sets Escudo Rojo apart is the combination of the Rothschild family's winemaking philosophy, elegance and precision.
Escudo Rojo means "red shield" in Spanish. It symbolizes the Rothschild family, a financial dynasty. The Rothschilds entered the wine business by acquiring vineyards in France's Bordeaux region starting in the 19th century. Pronounced in the French way, the surname Rothschild becomes "Rothschild." In 1933 they founded the Baron Philippe de Rothschild winery.
Baroness Philippine, who joined the family's wine business in 1988, launched Escudo Rojo in 1999 with the ambition to set a new standard for New World wines. Drawing on the winemaking experience and expertise accumulated in Bordeaux, the goal was to reinterpret Chile's promising terroirs. Head winemaker Castro said, Chile is a country with an environment and skilled talent capable of producing outstanding wines, adding, When the Rothschild family's expertise and elegant tradition are added to this, Escudo Rojo will stand in a unique position to lead the tide of change.
Chilean wine has long been recognized in the global wine market for its "reasonable price." But head winemaker Castro said Chilean wine already has the potential to compete with the world's top-tier wines.
He said, Chilean wines can deliver excellent quality and memorable experiences at every price point, adding, It is important to prioritize "quality" rooted in true craftsmanship while offering greater-than-expected value at reasonable prices. Through wines like Escudo Rojo Origin and Baronesa P, consumers can experience the depth, complexity and luxurious expression of Chilean terroir without approaching excessively high price tiers.
Head winemaker Castro said, Baron Philippe de Rothschild always thinks 100 or 200 years ahead, adding, Our vision is to keep leaping forward in quality and help reshape how the world views Chilean wine. In this context, there are also plans to expand the Origin line. The goal is to showcase Chile's potential with precision through Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc, and further through single-vineyard or block-based wines.
He said, Chile and Korea maintain a solid trade relationship, and Korean consumers already perceive Chilean products such as salmon as high quality. Chilean wine deserves the same trust, adding, Chile has strict regulations, a firm commitment to sustainability and strong environmental protection standards.
He added, The vineyards and production processes of Escudo Rojo follow very strict standards to ensure safety, purity and responsible operations, saying, Our goal is to be expressive, sustainable and elegant, while always maintaining consistent quality. We will present wines that never disappoint.