Chilean wine is often overshadowed by its neighbor (Argentina) just over the Andes, but they have similar wine regions, terroir, and grape varieties to work with. While the size of wine production doesn't rival Argentina, the wines that leave the country are equally delicious. Interestingly, the country's inaccessibility has kept Chile's wine regions Phylloxera-free, allowing winemakers to use grapes grown on old vines from the original rootstock. France and Spain have left an indelible footprint over the winemaking style, but Chileans are making headway of their own. The Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile is quite exciting and has medium-to-low tannins, soft fruit, savory flavors, and smoke. The Pinot Noirs tend to feature eucalyptus, which is especially enjoyable to taste with new Pinot drinkers.
What are the best Chilean wines?
While the Spanish dominate the early history of Chilean winemaking, the last century has belonged to French immigrants. In the 19th century, many French immigrants moved to Chile and brought grape varietals with them. You can find all the classic French wine grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Pinot Noir, Carménère, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, Cabernet Franc, and Syrah, among many others growing in Chile.
What are the most popular wine regions in Chile?
Running as the "spine" of South America, the Andes Mountains create a natural border between Argentina and Chile. Winemakers on the Argentinian side work without help from the cooling Pacific Ocean and the Humboldt Current, which brings cool air to create cool-climate zones that preserve the wine grapes' natural acidity. For regions like the Maipo Valley (just south of Santiago), the Rapel Valley, and the Maule Valley, the mountains act as a rain shield and allow them to preserve acidity in red wine grapes that might otherwise turn jammy. Chile's long geography makes breaking down the wine regions simple. Starting north and moving South is an interesting way to explore the wines of this beautiful country. The Atacama, in the north, is famous for making pisco, a grape brandy. The Aconcagua and Casablanca valleys lie a little to the South. They are fed by snowmelt from the mountains, making the vineyards slightly cooler. Casablanca makes world-class wines, especially Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir. The Central Valley is the largest and most well-known Chilean region and is directly across the Andes from Mendoza, Argentina. In the Central Valley, Alto Maipo is the high-altitude region for Cabernet Sauvignon, Central Maipo is best for Carménère, and the vineyards surrounding Lake Rapel are perfect for Mediterranean grape varieties. Further South in the Colchagua Valley appellations, the volcanic soils produce spicier red and white wines than the north's cool climate iterations. Head even further south, and you will find Malleco, Bio-Bio, and Itata, where the quality is more pedestrian, but producers like Concha y Toro are growing interesting Pais and Gewurztraminer. No matter where you turn in this country, there is interesting wine.
Want to learn more about wines from Chile?
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