Chile
Located along the southwestern coast of South America, Chile has ideal
conditions for growing wine grapes. With the Pacific Ocean to the west
and the Andes Mountains towering to the east, Chile remains fairly isolated
from the rest of the continent. Fortunately for wine producers, the Andes
trap in just enough moisture for proper grape growing and also keep out
the pesky phylloxera louse. The predictable long, dry summers and cool
winters make ideal growing conditions and provide for consistent vintages
from year to year. The major grape-producing areas are located in the
Chile's Central Valley.
The wine regions are:
* Aconcagua
North of the capital city Santiago, Aconcagua is the warmest of the major
red-wine regions.
* Maipo
Most of the large wineries are located in this region, directly south
of Santiago.
* Rapel
This wine region is located south of Santiago and directly below Maipo.
It produces both red and white wine.
* Maule
This southern-most region is wetter and even cooler than Rapel. Parts
of this region grow a common red grape called Pais.
* Casablanca
Although technically part of Aconcagua, Casablanca is essentially a separate
region that lies outside the Central Valley. It is located close to the
coast, which makes for a cooler climate. This region has shown potential
for growing white grapes, such as Chardonnay.
Grapes
Chile's best and most widely produced grape is Cabernet Sauvignon. Most
of the wines made in Chile are red and are primarily made from:
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Merlot
- Pinot Noir
- Malbec
- Carmenere
Popular white-wine varietals include:
- Chardonnay
- Sauvignon Blanc
Learn more about these Wine Regions:
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