I do my best to squirrel away enough money and time off to take at least one international trip per year, but with 195 countries across this big ‘ol globe, I’m coming to terms with the fact that I’ll never be able to see them all. So when I catch myself daydreaming about a part of the world not in my 5-year plan, I head to the store and choose a bottle of wine from a country I’m curious about. If I can’t be there, at least I can drink like I am. This month, I’ve been all about Chile.
Chile produces both fruit-forward and herbaceous wines . known for their value.The quality you taste in a Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon could easily cost two times that of a Californian Cabernet Sauvignon, so the consistent quality and price makes Chile an excellent “destination” for comparing a range of grape varietals. To fully appreciate the best Chilean wines (and drop a nerdy fact or two while enjoying them), we’ll skim the surface of how Chile’s history, geography, and climate affects its winemaking. Then, we’ll cover the top Chilean grape varietals and winemaking regions before suggesting bottles to kick off your Chilean wine exploration.
Chilean winemaking history
Chile has a long history of wine production, dating back to the Spanish conquistadors and missionaries who introduced grape vines in the 1550’s and produced the ancestor of the Pais grape (aka, the most widely planted Chilean grape until the 21st century). But despite Spanish origins, Chilean wine has been most heavily influenced by the French. In the mid-19th century, France (and Bordeaux specifically) was apparently a popular vacation spot for wealthy Chileans who, inspired by their travels, began importing and planting French vines to produce varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenère. From this history, Chile has emerged as a wine-producing powerhouse, ranking fifth in the world for wine exports and seventh for production (Source).
Chile’s winemaking geography and climate
Chile is a long, narrow country with 2,700 miles of coastline along the Pacific Ocean. The country is dominated by the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west with the majority of vineyards located along an 800 mile strip that runs the length of the country. Due to its long, skinny structure, Chile’s climate varies dramatically from hot and dry near the equator to cool and wet as winemaking regions approach the South Pole. In southern Chile, wine producers also contend with the Humboldt current — a cold ocean current that flows north along the Western coast of South America, bringing cold air and an increased risk of frost or under-ripening (Source).
As is the case in any country, vineyard placement is another important factor in winemaking. In Chile, elevation and proximity to the Andes dictates the length of the diurnal range (the time between between the hottest and coolest parts of the day). A wide diurnal range is a valuable quality in a vineyard’s location because cool nights help the grapes retain their crisp acidity and reduce the risk of over-ripening.
Despite its complications, Chile’s geographic diversity has been one of the country’s greatest winemaking assets. The surrounding ocean, desert, and mountains make the country less accessible to other parts of the world–most notably, the phylloxera (aphid) plague that wiped out the majority of vineyards in Europe in the late 19th century. Remember that French influence? It wasn’t all a result of dreamy vacations. With vineyards destroyed by phylloxera, many French winemakers sought refuge in South America, leaving Chile to benefit from an influx of vinicultural knowledge. Phylloxera continues to threaten European vines in other parts of the world and can be financially taxing for winemakers who have to grow more expensive phylloxera-resistant vines. Without that concern, Chilean producers are able to keep their wines reasonably priced.
Chile’s wine varietals
Over twenty grape varieties (mainly Spanish and French), are grown across four main wine-producing regions in Chile–from north to south: Coquimbo, Aconcagua, Central Valley, and the South Region. While each region produces different wine varietals, Chile is best known for Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Bordeaux Blends, Carménère, Syrah, and Pinot Noir. Let’s explore our options.
(1) Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon is the most widely-planted grape variety in Chile. Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon is usually a lighter, less tannic style, with juicy flavors of cherry, plums, bell pepper, mint, and smoke. You’ll find the Chilean version to be more easy-drinking than you would traditionally associate with a Cabernet Sauvignon.
Looking for value? Go for a Central Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. The Central Valley is a huge region, composed of many subregions such as Maipo, Colchagua, Curico Valley, and Maule Valley.
Want a fancier bottle? Maipo Valley is well known for its bolder styles of Cabernet, with notes of blackberry and cocoa powder. For a Bordeaux-styled Cabernet Sauvignon, Colchagua and the Rapel Valley are good choices.
(2) Chilean Chardonnay
Chilean Chardonnay delivers tropical fruit flavors of pineapple, mango, and passionfruit, similar to a California Chardonnay. Chile’s climate and coastline presence gives the wine an extra burst of acidity, making Chilean Chardonnay more refreshing and less syrupy tasting than their heavier California cousins.
Looking for value? Try Maipo or Casablanca in the Central Valley or Aconcagua (north of the Central Valley area).
Want a fancier bottle? Within the Aconcagua Valley, there are several sub-appellations including Casablanca Valley, San Antonio Valley, and Leyda Valley. Limarí Valley in the North is also a great choice.
(3) Chilean Bordeaux Blends
As you now know, Chilean wine has been greatly influenced by French winemaking. Not surprisingly, Chile grows a lot of French varietals and blends them in typically French ways. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carménère, Petit Verdot, Malbec and sometimes Syrah are blended together to create Chile’s version of red Bordeaux.
Looking for value? The Central Valley is always a solid bet. Keep an eye out for bottles from Maipo and Rapel Valley.
Want a fancier bottle? Maipo spans the range from value to high-end bottles of Bordeaux blends.
(4) Chilean Carménère
When I think of Chile, Carménère is what I think about. Carménère has a similar profile to Merlot, with plum and black cherry fruits along with soft tannin, but it distinguishes itself with. a strong pyrazine presence. Pyrazines are aroma compounds that suggest bell pepper and black peppers in a wine. Carménère it pairs incredibly well with food, given the complexity in its profile.
Looking for value? The Central Valley is the largest volume producer of Chilean Carménère, with Cachapoal and Colchagua Valley producing some high-quality value bottles.
Want a fancier bottle? Rapel Valley in the Central Valley. If you’re at a wine shop with a large selection of Carménère, check out Peumo in Cachapoal and Apalta in Colchagua.
(5) Chilean Syrah
Thanks to Chile’s French influence and relatively cool temps, Chilean Syrah reflects the more restrained cold climate character that Syrah can inhabit. Think warm baking spices, smoke, and dried meat along with red or black plummy fruit, and a little herbal green character plus a dash of olives.
Looking for value? Rapel Valley in the Central Valley produces both value and high quality bottles of Syrah. Also, check out Elqui, Limarí, and the Choapa Valley, in the Coquimbo region.
Want a fancier bottle? Rapel Valley in the Central Valley is where it’s at. I’m sure you’re getting the pattern by now: the Central Valley produces a lot of good value Chilean wines, so you’ll never be disappointed with the quality to price ratio.
(6) Chilean Pinot Noir
Chilean Pinot Noir brings flavors of black cherry, plums, subtle baking spices, with a creamy finish. Pinot Noir from Chile is often round and smooth with low tannin, which translates into being both easy drinking and delicious. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay tend to grow well in the same regions (think Burgundy) and Chile is no exception.
Looking for value? Try Maipo or Casablanca in the Central Valley or Aconcagua (north of the Central Valley area).
Want a fancier bottle? Aconcagua region including Casablanca, San Antonio, and the Leyda Valley. The coastline helps support Pinot Noir by providing moderated temperatures and ocean crispness, which keeps the acidity refreshing and the nose perfumed.
Best Chilean Wine Suggestions
Looking for more specific guidance? Here are my best Chilean wine suggestions:
Cabernet Sauvignon
- Value: Penalolen 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon from Maipo Valley
- Fancy: Domus Aurea 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon
Chardonnay
Bordeaux Blends
Carménère
Syrah
Pinot Noir
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