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Though considered a 'New
World' wine, the history of winemaking in Chile
is centuries old, and dates back to the 16th
century when Spanish conquistadores first
brought European grape varieties to the region
for planting. Today this region is gaining
continued acclaim for the quality of its wines,
with a focus on Bordeaux red and white grape
varieties, as well as the excellent value
they offer.
About the Wines of
Chile
Although there are several
different climactic profiles in Chile, the
majority are Mediterranean with cool
nights and warm to hot days, ideal for
classic Bordeaux grapes. One of the country's
most unique aspects is its extreme isolation -
bordered by the Pacific, the Andes, the Atacama
Desert and Antarctica. With European grapes
brought in during the 16th century, Chile is
today perhaps the only wine
region untouched by the phylloxera louse,
and boasts varieties and clones
believed to be extinct in other parts of
the world.
Chilean Wine Regions: from
Casablanca to the Maipo Valley
Chile's wine region
encompasses an 800-mile stretch with its warmer
regions located at the northern end, and its
cooler regions in the
south. Most areas are planted
primarily with the red and white
Bordeaux varieties including Cabernet Sauvignon
and Sauvignon Blanc. The Maipo Valley in the
Valle Central is particularly renowned for its
Cabernet Sauvignon, as is the Rapel Region
of Calchagua Province and the northern region
of Aconcagua. Cooler than these areas, the
Casablanca Valley is primarily devoted to
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
The Carmenère
Grape
One of the traditional red grape
varieties of France, Carmenère is today grown
rarely in France but has flourished in Chile.
When France's vineyards were decimated in the
19th century by phylloxera, Carmenère was
particularly affected and was believed to have
gone extinct. Imported before this
scourge, plantings in Chile were mistakenly
labelled as Merlot due to the grapes'
similarity, and these vines were only
identified as Carmenère during the 1990s. Still
velvety but with more backbone than many
Merlots, I find this variety to be the wine I
often wish Merlot was, and is one of my
favorites from Chile.
Chilean Wine - Tasting
Reviews
2008
Misiones de Rengo Sauvignon Blanc, Valle
Central
Effusive
aroma with exotic touches of lychee and
pineapple. Very slightly off-dry, with fuller
body for the
varietal. ($10)
2008
Veramonte Sauvignon Blanc Reserva,
Casablanca Valley
From the cooler Casablanca Valley, the
Veramonte is more bracing and steely than the
de Rengo, with lively freshness and
acidity.($11)
2008
Terra Andina Carmenère, Valle
Central
Suave and smooth, with
ripe dark fruit flavors and luscious
tannins. Shows nice complexity with pepper
and cedar notes.
($10)
2007
Cousino Macul Cabernet Sauvignon Antiguas
Reservas, Maipo
Valley
Very earthy,
natural aroma that takes some air to open up,
suggesting good aging potential. Hearty tannins
sweeten on the
finish. ($15)
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