Chile, it’s halfway between California and France

The wine region of Chile runs for hundreds of miles along the cool Pacific coast of South America. The climate is described as being between California and France. The best wine regions are protected by coastal mountains in valleys west of the towering Andes. Chile uses well-known French grapes for its wine production, making excellent wine for its large export market.  

Hierarchy of Chilean Wine

Chile’s geographic wine regions, called Denominacion de Origen (DO), have wine laws like those of the United States AVA system. There are no restrictions on grape varieties or viticultural practices, and truth-in-labeling prevails over regulations. Chilean wine will be labeled with the type of grape used and a geographic indicator.  

Notable Wine Regions

Maipo Valley is close to urban Santiago, and old vines produce its best wine from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. 

Rapel Valley – has two subregions, the Cachapoal Valley and Colchagua Valley. These regions produce excellent red wine from the French grapes Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and Carménère.

Foreign Investment

American and French investment in Chilean wine demonstrates its quality and potential.

Sena – a winery started by the famous Robert Mondavi of California.
Miguel Torres Chile – Miguel A. Torres of Catalan, Spain, is a famous winemaker.
Los Vascos РCh̢teau Lafite Rothschild collaboration producing excellent wines.
Almaviva РCh̢teau Mouton Rothschild, this brand is a French-Chilean collaboration.

Recommended Signature Wine.

Try a red made from the Cabernet Sauvignon grape from the Colchagua Valley region. These wines are very reasonably priced for their value. They are dark-colored wines with violets, plum, and blueberry aromas. The flavors are succulent and juicy, with blueberry flavors. The acidity is medium, and tannins and alcohol tend to be on the high side.

Another red recommendation is made with the Carménère grape from the Colchagua Valley region. These are deep red wines, with the full-bodied styles having floral notes of violet with dark fruit such as blackberries and blueberries. The tannins are not overpowering, and the acidity is balanced.

Historic Tidbit.

Chile is unique because it is the only major wine-producing country that has not been attacked by phylloxera, an aphid-like louse that devastated European vineyards in the 1800s.