Chile Wine Guide
South America
An overview of Chilean wine
Chile may be classed as a New World wine country, but its wine industry dates back to the early 16th century, when Spanish conquistadors brought vines from the Old World to make sacramental wine. The climate and geographical conditions of Chile proved ideal for grape cultivation and the wine industry soon flourished.
Things changed in 1818, once Chile gained independence from Spain. From the mid-19th century, a wave of European immigrants brought over a selection of noble grape varieties, mostly from Bordeaux, along with new technologies and winemaking techniques. This proved to be a stroke of luck in the late 19th century, when the phylloxera plague hit vineyards around the world. Chile was the only country not affected, and contributed to the regrowth of vineyards worldwide.
Wine Guide
Today, this narrow strip of land produces a diverse selection of wine, from bold, world-class reds and crisp, refreshing whites to festive sparklers and floral rosés. Having led the way as a New World wine exporter, Chile is now the fourth largest wine exporter in the world, and is a pioneer of sustainable and organic/biodynamic winemaking practices.
Chile is perhaps best known for its bold, red wines. Cabernet Sauvignon is the most widely grown grape, followed by Merlot. You can also find excellent Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Pinot Noir, while its signature red is Carménère, a ‘lost’ variety from Bordeaux.
Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc are the main white varieties grown here. Riesling, Viognier, Semillon, Gewurztraminer and Moscatel are also present.
The Central Valley
The majority of Chile’s vineyards are located in the middle of the country, known as the Central Valley region, flanked by the Andes to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. The climate here closely resembles the Mediterranean, with rainy winters and hot summers, while each region has unique growing zones with cool coastal regions and warm inland valleys.
The Central Valley winelands are divided into several sub-regions. The best known and most popular for wine tourism are Maipo Valley, Casablanca Valley and Colchagua Valley.
Maipo Valley
One of Chile’s oldest and most prominent wine regions, the Maipo Valley is sometimes referred to as ‘the Bordeaux of South America’. Located a short drive south of the country’s vibrant capital, Santiago, the region has a warm, dry climate and gravelly soils, resulting in high-quality grapes with intense flavours and aromas.
The region is home to some of Chile’s best-known wineries, and produces some of the finest Cabernet Sauvignon and Carménère red wines in the world – along with some majestic views!
Casablanca Valley
Nestled between Santiago and the port city of Valparaiso, the Casablanca Valley is a contemporary wine-growing region, first established in the 1980s. With its coastal mountains and cool ocean breeze, this has become one of the country’s most important regions for white wines.
Particular famous for its Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, the Casablanca Valley also produces Pinot Noir and Syrah, making it a versatile area.
Colchagua Valley
Often dubbed the ‘Napa Valley of South America’, the Colchagua Valley benefits from hot, sunny days and cool nights, resulting in the ideal growing conditions for luscious, full-bodied reds. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot flourish here along with Syrah and Malbec, but it’s perhaps best known for its intense and aromatic Carménère. Picturesque vineyards and atmospheric colonial towns make this an excellent destination for wine tourism.
Chilean Wine Tours
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