Chile

Chilean wines: sustainable vineyards and innovation:

Thanks to its hot summers and cold, rainy winters, Chile is one of the world’s wine-producing paradises. The extensive Andes Mountains create a natural barrier against diseases and pests, making it one of the wine regions with the cleanest and purest air in the world.

Throughout Chile, the northern border of its vineyards reaches the Elqui Valley (even further north than the Atacama Desert) and projects southward to reach the Malleco Valley, its southernmost region. This allows for a great diversity of soil types and microclimates that benefit wine production.

The greatest concentration of wine producers is located in the Central Valley, which includes the Maipo, Rapel, Curicó and Maule Valleys. This valley represents a long extension limited to the east by the Andes and to the west by the coast. That is why it is part of one of the regions called “Entre Cordilleras” (“Between mountains”). The terroirs that make up this valley are very varied, but are defined by a rather Mediterranean climate, with a great exposure to the sun, soils rich in sediments and nights with low temperatures.

In total Chile has 17 valleys where the wine industry develops, which in turn are divided into 6 main regions.

Chile’s red wines are deep wines with character. Its most widely planted grape variety is Cabernet Sauvignon, a grape variety that has found its second home in Chile after its arrival from France in the 19th century. These are world-renowned wines that, with optimum ripeness, give notes of red fruits, aromas of blackcurrant, figs and cocoa, and even truffles.

The Carménère grape variety, also linked to the Cabernet, deserves a special mention, and its earthy and herbaceous aromatic notes come from this grape variety. Of course, we will also find excellent Cabernet Franc, Carignan, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah and Cinsault.

As for white grape varieties, Chile produces vigorous and aromatic Sauvignon Blanc wines, as well as Chardonnay, Riesling, Semillon and Viognier. To taste great wines from Chile can be an unforgettable experience.

If you ever want to taste some of these varieties, learn more about their history, their characteristics and delight yourself with their flavor, do not hesitate to contact me.