There’s something delightfully rebellious about a wine that refuses to take itself too seriously. Enter Devil’s Carnaval, the newest mischief-maker from Chile’s legendary Casillero del Diablo, currently available at the LCBO with $2 off its regular price. If you’ve been searching for an excuse to uncork something festive without breaking the bank, consider this your invitation to the party.
Concha y Toro Casillero del Diablo Devil’s Carnaval Red
Chile
A Legend Reborn for a New Generation
To understand Devil’s Carnaval, you first need to know the wickedly clever tale behind its parent brand. Back in 1883, Don Melchor de Concha y Toro founded his winery in Chile’s sun-drenched valleys. The wines he crafted were so exceptional that locals couldn’t resist helping themselves to bottles from his private cellar. Instead of adding security, Don Melchor leaned into theatre, quietly encouraging locals to believe that something far more intimidating than a lock was watching over his cellar.
The legendary Devil’s Cellar
The whispers worked like dark magic. Every creak, every shadow, every echo in those stone chambers fed the legend. The townspeople stayed away, trembling at tales of supernatural guardians, and Don Melchor’s precious bottles remained untouched. That bit of storytelling stuck, and over time it gave the winery a name that would travel far beyond Chile, eventually becoming one of the country’s most recognizable wine brands worldwide.
Why “Carnaval”? The Brazilian Connection
When Concha y Toro began developing a new range with younger drinkers in mind, the brief was clear: make it energetic, social, and unintimidating. The Devil’s Carnaval collection debuted in Chile in September 2023, but its second major launch was strategically placed in Brazil the following month. That location was no accident.
Atmospheric entrance to the underground cellar
Brazil is synonymous with Carnival, where music, colour, and collective celebration spill into the streets of Rio de Janeiro each year. According to Cristóbal Goycoolea, Concha y Toro’s Corporate Director of Marketing, the goal was to attract new consumers who might find traditional wine culture intimidating. The idea was simple: wine does not always need ceremony or a carefully planned menu to be enjoyed. Sometimes you just need friends, music, and a reason to celebrate … Even if that reason is simply Thursday.
From Chilean Soil to Your Glass
The grapes for Devil’s Carnaval come from Chile’s celebrated Central Valley, a wine region blessed with geographical drama. Picture this: Its vineyards sit in a dramatic corridor, bracketed by the Andes on one side and the Pacific influence on the other. The Maipo Valley, birthplace of the Chilean wine industry, contributes its renowned Cabernet Sauvignon character, while the Rapel Valley adds depth with its diverse terroir.
The region benefits from a Mediterranean climate with warm days, cool nights, and precious little rainfall—conditions that allow grapes to develop intense flavours while maintaining bright acidity. It’s winemaking geography at its finest, shaped by the icy Humboldt Current that sweeps up from Antarctica and the mineral-rich soils deposited over millennia by Andean rivers.
The Maestro Behind the Magic
Marcelo Papa – Technical Director
Since 1998, winemaker Marcelo Papa has guided Casillero del Diablo’s evolution from a solid value brand to a global phenomenon. When he arrived, production stood at roughly 350,000 cases with just three grape varieties. Today? The operation has exploded to approximately four million cases spanning more than a dozen varietals.
Papa earned Chile’s highest honour in 2005 when the Chilean Wine Guide named him “Winemaker of the Year,” praising his remarkable ability to maintain quality despite big production volumes. His philosophy centres on balance and terroir expression; letting each vineyard’s unique personality shine through rather than imposing a heavy winemaking hand. The result is wines that feel authentic to their origins, whether you’re sipping a $15 bottle or splurging on something from the reserve collection.
Casa Don Melchor historic manor house
What’s in the Carnaval Collection?
The Devil’s Carnaval lineup features four distinct personalities: Spectacular Cabernet delivers those sensational dark fruit aromas perfect for pairing with tacos, barbecue ribs, or pizza. Phenomenal Sauvignon offers crisp refreshment for lighter fare. Fabulous Red brings plum and blackberry sensations ideal alongside chicken wings or burgers. And for those with a sweet tooth, Fantastic Sweet enchants with delicious honeyed notes.
The Carnaval Red currently at the LCBO is a playful, fruit-forward blend that bursts with ripe strawberry, blackberry, and plum aromas layered with hints of spice and soft vanilla. It’s medium-bodied and smooth, with velvety tannins that make it dangerously easy to drink. Serve it slightly chilled for maximum refreshment, unconventional for a red, perhaps, but perfectly in keeping with the Carnaval spirit of breaking rules.
Vineyard Views
Perfect Occasions for Popping a Carnaval
This isn’t a wine for hushed contemplation or swirling thoughtfully while discussing tannin structure. Devil’s Carnaval was designed for informal get-togethers and backyard barbecues where the laughter gets loud, for impromptu kitchen dance parties, for Tuesday night pizza with friends, for celebrating promotions and surviving Mondays alike. It pairs beautifully with casual food: think nachos, sliders, or anything involving melted cheese, and even better with good company.
Estate Gardens
The $2 discount currently running at the LCBO makes an already accessible wine even more appealing. At this price point, you can stock up guilt-free for the holiday entertaining season ahead or simply keep a few bottles on hand for whenever the mood strikes.
Don Melchor’s clever devil may have originally guarded his cellar out of self-interest, but over 140 years later, that mischievous spirit has evolved into something more generous: an invitation to join the celebration, wherever and whenever you find it. Salud!
This article was commissioned by Casillero del Diablo winery, but the reviews and opinions remain independent.
The grand winery entrance
