Chile

OUR CHILEAN WINES

Probably the most important wine producing country in South America, Chile produces first class varietal wines of international standing. The main vineyard regions of this long thin country are in the latitudinal centre and offer the market seriously good reds made mainly from the Cabernet Sauvignon and the Merlot. Equally impressive white wines are crafted from the Chardonnay and the Sauvignon Blanc.

Whereas Argentina has an historical Italian bias, it appears that, in Chile, the main influence has come from France in terms of varieties and methods. It is known that Chilean wines received awards in France as long ago as the late nineteenth century.

Grapes

One of the most often quoted facts about Chilean viticulture is the remarkable fact that Phylloxera has never reached these lands. The rampant louse that stormed across Europe in the 19th century, devastated California over the past 10 years and has altered wine growing practices throughout the world, simply never made across the Andes or survived in the sandy coastal soils. Therefore Chile's vineyards are planted with ungrafted rootstock: a rare phenomenon in modern wine production. Chile grows most of the "international" varieties, with a programme of experimental plantings supplementing the ubiquitous Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet and Merlot with everything from Gewürztraminer to Viognier. Pais is a Chilean variety that is still very widely planted, but has not earned a place in the international scene. One of the most interesting names to look out for on a Chilean label is Carmenère, a variety once believed to be Merlot, but now discovered to be a forgotten Bordeaux grape which has been living happily in Chile all along. It makes a vibrantly fruity and deeply flavoured wine.

Aconcagua
This northerly, hot and generally arid region is best suited to red wine production. Some quality Cabernet Sauvignon is produced. The Errázuriz estate is the area's only really significant name, where Californian wine maker Ed Flaherty is turning out very serious Chardonnays from hillside vineyards, as well as excellent reds.

Casablanca   
One of the new quality regions that has really put Chile on the global map, Casablanca is a relatively cool and largely coastal region producing classy Chardonnay and world class Sauvignon Blanc. It is also being planted with Pinot Noir in an attempt to exploit its cool climate conditions with one of the sexiest grape varieties amongst knowledgeable wine consumers. Some of Chile's top wines come from this small region, including the Cuvée Alexandre Chardonnay of Casa Lapostolle and the Casablanca Chardonnays made by Ignacio Recabarren, one of the leading lights of the Chilean industry.

Maipó
The Maipó region, just south of Santiago, is one of Chile's best-known and longest established quality wine regions. Here also are some of the biggest names of the Chilean industry such as the giant Concha y Toro and Santa Rita. Cabernet Sauvignon is the mainstay of the region and quality is high. A fine example is Antiguas Reservas from Cousiño Macul, a long-lived and classy wine at a bargain price.
   
Rapel
The largest of the fine wine areas, the Rapel valley features a range of climatic conditions and soil types which makes generalising about the wines difficult. Merlot is one of the stars here, from producers like Carmen (whose base is in Maipó) and Mont Gras. You will see the name Colchagua valley on Rapel bottlings, a small high-quality sub-region towards the coast. Cono Sur is one of the most interesting producers in the region, constantly experimenting with Pinot Noir, Viognier and Gewürztraminer amongst others, to very good and moderately priced effect.

Curicó and Maule
The Maule Valley is separated in the northern Curicó region, and the southerly Maule. A lot of pretty ordinary wine is produced in this region, but then there are numerous exceptions where the best soils and cooler microclimates lend class in wines from producers like San Pedro, Miguel Torres, Domaine Oriental and Montes. Another sub-regional name you will see on labels is Lontué, Valdevieso being one of its biggest and best producers.

Bío Bío
This large region lies south of the Maule Valley. Though larger given over to inexpensive 'jug' wines, there is investment in the area. With its cooler southern climate it is an area to watch over coming years.

Premium Wines

It was inevitable given the quality of Chile's raw materials and the growing confidence brought about through investment in the wine industry that they would not be content with supplying a mass market of budget to medium-priced wines. Perhaps with one eye on the drive towards premium pricing in Australia, perhaps with a view of the crazy prices obtained by California's cult wines, several houses have begun to release super-Chilean Bordeaux blends.

Casa Lapostolle - www.casalapostolle.com