Chile
Regions
Chile has a long viticultural history for a New World wine region dating to the 16th century when the Spanish conquistadors brought Vitis vinifera vines with them as they colonized the region. In the mid-19th century, French wine varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carmenère and Franc were introduced.
In the early 1980s, a renaissance began with the introduction of stainless steel fermentation tanks and the use of oak barrels for aging. Wine exports grew very quickly as quality wine production increased. The number of wineries has grown from 12 in 1995 to over 70 in 2005. Reasons for this sudden expansion vary in significancy, but all are essential to understanding chilean wine culture.
The largest factor, and arguably most prominent, relates to the large amount of French families immigrating to Chile during the late 20th century. The French were able to share their fine tastes and experience with the native Chileans, expanding their knowledge of the wine world. Chile is now the fifth largest exporter of wines in the world, and the seventh largest producer.
The climate has been described as midway between that of California and France. The most common grapes are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Carmenère.
Casablanca
Casablanca Valley, located 75 km northwest of Santiago, saw vines first planted in the mid-1980s. It quickly turned a page in Chile’s winemaking history. Chile’s…
View RegionColchagua
Colchagua Valley is a relatively new region when compared with the historical Maipo Valley to the north, with a limited number of vineyards but with…
View RegionLeyda
Leyda Valley, along with Casablanca Valley and Aconcagua Valley make up the Aconcagua wine region and so small in size it could be regarded as…
View RegionLimari
Limarí Valley is one of the most exciting and innovative wine-producing regions in Chile. The valley is located 290 miles north of Santiago, in the…
View RegionMaipo
Maipo Valley, a region within Chile’s Valle Central, closest wine region to the city of Santiago, with vineyards stretching eastward towards the Andes and westward…
View RegionValle Central
Valle Central is Chile’s most productive and well-known wine region producing 60% of the nations wine. It is situated directly across the Andes from Argentina’s…
View RegionProducts from this country
-
Rayun Merlot
ChileRayun means 'Blossom' in Mapudungun, the native language spoken before the arrival of Europeans.…
-
Cantus Sauvignon Blanc
Chile‘Cantus’ is Latin for ‘Singing’ and was used an adjective for any organised activity…
-
Cantus Chardonnay
Chile‘Cantus’ is Latin for ‘Singing’ and was used an adjective for any organised activity…
-
Cantus Merlot
Chile‘Cantus’ is Latin for ‘Singing’ and was used an adjective for any organised activity…
-
Cantus Cabernet Rosé
Chile‘Cantus’ is Latin for ‘Singing’ and was used an adjective for any organised activity…
-
Cantus Cabernet Sauvignon
Chile‘Cantus’ is Latin for ‘Singing’ and was used an adjective for any organised activity…
-
La Paz Merlot
ChileThe Merlot is predominantly sourced from selected vineyards in the Maule and Rapel Valleys,…
-
La Paz Sauvignon Blanc
Chile100% Sauvignon from vineyards located mainly in the cool base of the Los Andes…
-
Cantus Reserva Carmenere
Chile‘Cantus’ is Latin for ‘Singing’ and was used an adjective for any organised activity…
-
Cantus Reserva Pinot Noir
Chile‘Cantus’ is Latin for ‘Singing’ and was used an adjective for any organised activity…
-
Chono Cabernet Sauvingon
ChileChono was pioneered by Sutil’s famous winemaker Alvaro Espinoza. He was awarded the International…
-
Chono Syrah
ChileChono was pioneered by Sutil’s famous winemaker Alvaro Espinoza. He was awarded the International…
-
Chono Sauvignon Blanc
ChileChono was pioneered by Sutil’s famous winemaker Alvaro Espinoza. He was awarded the International…
-
Chono Carmenère
ChileChono was pioneered by Sutil’s famous winemaker Alvaro Espinoza. He was awarded the International…