Chile, over the years has established itself as a meaningful player in the global wine industry.

 

While tourists certainly visit this country, which is roughly the size of Texas, for a variety of reasons such as Easter Island, Patagonia, the hippy tourist destination of Valparaiso (called Valpo by locals) or the cosmopolitan capital of Santiago, wine is still at the forefront of a meaningful reason to enjoy this country’s vibe.

 

The southernmost country in the world and closet to Antarctica, Chile’s wine industry began in the 16th century when the Spanish conquistadors arrived introducing the grapevines to the region. Since the 1800s the French wine varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Carmenere, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Franc have been more of the rage though.

 

With the French wine culture introduced in Chile at that time, the Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot have become two of the strongest staples of Chilean viticulture.
In the early 1980s, the business of winemaking also went through a huge change in the country when they began to use stainless steel tanks for fermentation alongside oak barrel aging. From there the wineries in the country went from 12 in the mid-90s to, as of a few years ago, being the fifth largest wine exporter and the seventh largest wine producer.

 

Wine-producing Regions
The well-known wine regions in Chile include Elqui Valley, Limarí Valley, Choapa Valley, Aconcagua Valley, Casablanca Valley, San Antonio Valley, Maipo Valley, Cachapoal Valley, Colchagua Valley, Curicó Valley, Maule Valley, Itata Valley, Bío Bío Valley, and Malleco Valley.

 

Keep in mind, from north to south, Chile extends 2,653 miles with an average width east to west of about 110 miles east to west. Within that lengthy landscape you will find rolling hills, snow covered mountains, lush valleys, and beachy shores along the south Pacific ocean and a small part of the south Atlantic ocean as well.

 

Each valley in Chile’s wine regions boast wonderful climates and unique terroirs allowing for the distinct geography of the country to play a strong role in the success of the winemaking industry there. As such, each unique region has its own climate and soil to individualize the various grapes produced.

 

Standout Wine Regions for Tourism
Of the 14 wine regions in the country, five stand out for visitors beginning with Maipo Valley. This valley has a special irrigation that assists the vineyards from the Maipo River and is located near Santiago, so an easy day trip. Maipo Valley also boasts some of the best Cabernet Sauvignon offerings in Chile.

 

The Colchagua Valley, part of the larger Rapel Valley, also produces high-quality red wines. The Carménère grape is found here, a grape that has become tantamount with Chilean wine.
In the Casablanca Valley you will find a cooler coastal region making the white wines, like Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay stand out for tasting. The valley is also lucky for its morning fog and coastal breezes to help preserve the acidity and flavor profiles from this area’s wine.

 

Aconcagua Valley is located north of Santiago and features Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. The region has a diverse microclimate that enables both robust reds and elegant whites to flourish here.

 

The oldest wine production in the country comes from the Maule Valley. This area is worth a visit as tourists get a strong understanding of the roots of Chilean wine while also learning about the country’s traditional winemaking methods. The region is known for producing high-quality Carménère as well as other notable varietals.

 

Speaking of Carménère, this one is definitely the flagship grape of the country. Carménère was originally a Bordeaux varietal that found a new home in Chile. It produces deep, full-bodied red wines with notes of blackberry, plum, and green bell pepper.

 

Everyone loves a robust Cabernet Sauvignon too and in Chile it turns out the grape flourishes in a number of the regions, with the Maipo Valley still one of the strongest producers.
For Merlot lovers, the varietal is popular throughout a number of the wine regions in Chile so not hard to find, while the red Syrah has become a staple of the Colchagua Valley.

 

Sauvignon Blanc is found in the cooler Casablanca Valley of Chile and for the staple white Chardonnay, it continually thrives all over the country and, depending on the terroir, tastes range from crisp and mineral to deep and oaky.

 

Harvest Time
If you are interested in harvest time in Chile visit between March and May (remember Chile is in the southern hemisphere) and take note the grapes are typically hand-harvested for better quality.

 

From there it is crushing and fermentation, aging (the reds enjoy aging in oak barrels with various aging times), to the final stages of bottling. Many of the Chilean wineries are also dedicated to sustainability, utilizing eco-friendly practices in production and packaging.

 

In fact, Chilean winemakers seem to have mostly adopted organic and biodynamic practices, which seems to be a growing trend toward sustainability in the wine industry overall these days.
When visiting Chile, it is certainly recommended you experience the wine culture there even if just sipping a glass from a local bottle while having dinner. You will not only be tasting wine from one of the leading wine-producing countries in the world, but with the taste you will be getting a reminder of the rich historical background and diverse geography that Chile has to offer.

 

For more information about Chile tourism visit www.chile.travel