One of Chile's foremost vintners has spoken of the importance of a "woman's touch" when it comes to the delicate business of crafting a wine.

Cecilia Torres, of the award-winning Chilean producer Casa Real, told the Manila Bulletin that "passion and sensitivity" are two of the most important things for a winemaker to develop.

"Another key in making great wines is being able to understand the culture of people who taste these wines," she told the newspaper.

"I love going around the world and having a better perspective of their preferences when it comes to dining and wine pairing."

Chilean wines have begun to be taken more seriously by fine wine aficionados in recent times.

This is partly due to events such as the New York blind tasting earlier this year, which placed Errazuriz Kai 2006 above chateaux Haut-Brion and Lafite-Rothschild, as well as Super Tuscan Sassicaia of the same vintage.