Chile has over 1,500 natural grape varieties, but only about 130 of them are commercially available. Chile has a wide range of grape varietals and wine varieties to choose from, so you can rest assured that Chile has something for everyone (though Chile makes a great Pisco). When compared to red wine from other countries, Chile is best known for its distinct green pepper or peppercorn note. If you want to serve a typical Chilean Asada (BBQ) or roast meat dish, a $5 Cabernet is the way to go. A Chile Chardonnay is roughly equivalent to a Chablis Chardonnay. Chile Sauvignon Blanc is distinguished by its citrusy, acidic, fruity (from pears to apples to pineapple) and aromatic qualities that are not as pronounced as those found in New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. Merlot is a early ripening grape that is best suited to making easy drinking fruity wines, as well as Bordeaux blends and single varietals.
Chile’s Carmenere grapes were once thought to be Merlot, but they were actually Cabernet Sauvignon. Merlot’s fruit and round appearance is similar to Carmenere, but it has a stronger herbaceous component. Cabernet will be the ideal complement to Merlot, and this wine will make a great transition wine for those who prefer Merlot. Most people in Chile believe that Alicante Bouschet is a fictitious name for Lacryma Christi. Casablanca, Leyda, and the San Antonio Valley are also hot spots for Syrahs from cool climates. The majority of the vineyard is dedicated to this grape, covering 168 hectares. They are not even labeled in Chile.
Pais vines are among the oldest vines found in Chile, having been domesticated in the country prior to colonial times. Pais are typically light-bodied but rustic, similar to a Beaujolais. The flavor is fruity, but sometimes funky with herbs and earthy notes. It’s difficult to find Chilean Pinot wines at a lower price than Chilean Pinot. In 2018, a total of 27 million liters of Pinot were produced in Chile, which is a small amount. Cabernet Franc is the most commonly grown grape variety in Bordeaux, and it is predominantly grown alongside other Bordeaux varieties. The spice and herbaceous notes come in handy when combined with Merlot, which adds structure and spice to the mix.
In Chile, there is a distinction between the quality of malbec produced in its two major regions: Mendoza and Cahors. Tabali’s Roca Madre is one of the few high-end Malbecs on the market. Carignan is a drink that is popular in Spain, Sardinia, and southern France along the Mediterannean Sea. Chilean Carignan is the closest thing to a classic Tuscan Sangiovese in Chile. Because it is a distinct style of wine in Chile, it is similar to Carmenere. The popularity of Cinsault as a single varietal is increasing in Chile, particularly in Itata and Maule. In addition to Grenache in Provence, Southern France, Catalonia (think Priorat), and as a blending grape in Rioja, Grenache is also commonly found in the Rhone Valley. There is a better chance of finding it in Chile when you combine Mourvedre and Carignan rather than Syrah. Muscat, Petit Verdot, Riesling, Viognier, and Sangiovese are all varietals that have a lot of Merlot in them.
Chilean producers export approximately 260 thousand metric tons of table grapes to the United States each year. Table grape planting is the most common type of crop in Chilean territory, accounting for approximately 15% of the country%27s total land area. The objectives of the system approach are to increase market access in three regions in Chile: Atacama, Coquimbo, and Valparaiso.
Many people believe that Chile’s signature variety, Carmenre, is the origin of many more high-quality wines, or blends, made with the variety. Chile’s fine wines now include Syrahs, Malbecs, old vine Carignan from Maule, and, as a result, increasingly blends of red and white wines.
Pais Wine is a traditional chilean grape made from grapes grown on the vitis vinifera indica variety, which is the scientific name for the vine. When the Spanish brought the red pa*s grape variety to Spain, it was their first variety. The most widely cultivated grape variety in Chile is the Sauvignon Blanc.
Chile contributes 4.4% of the global wine industry. In 2018, the country’s annual production was approximately 1.2 million hectoliters, up from 0.2 million hectoliters in 1990 and making it one of the world’s top exporters and producers. The country has seen dramatic changes in its wine industry over the last three decades.
Chile cultivates 40% of the world’s Cabernet Sauvignon grape crop, with 41,155 hectares planted. Merlot grows about 11702ha, Carmenre grows about 10,056ha, and Pa*s grows about 4,700ha. Scientists in Chile are attempting to clean up old massal Cabernet vines that were planted in the country in the nineteenth century. Quality of the material will not be guaranteed at this early stage, and it is not yet known how effective the project will be. Vi*a Carmen uses grapes from 1956 as the inspiration for their Carmen Gold label. Sofia Faulconer, winemaker at Casablanca’s Veramonte, is working on a project to preserve Chile’s oldest vineyards. Plants are selected from healthy vines, analyzed in the lab, and then replanted.
Chile’s winemakers should not lose sight of what has made it so successful, she says. The Chilean Vintages were released in Bordeaux on September 10, with the 2017 Se*a and Vi*edo Chadwick being revealed on September 5. When a consumer pays US$300 for a bottle from outside Chile, they will find the same bottle for US$100. Chilean wineries such as Errzuriz, Queirolo, and Vi*a Vik are attempting to change the perceptions of Chilean wines among consumers. Chile’s Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenre grapes are special, according to CEO Gastn Williams, and wineries must be familiar with these grapes. However, because they are more expensive than the best first growths or Super Tuscans, you can drink them for a fraction of the price. Don Melchor owns Cabernet vineyards in Puente Alto, Maipo, as well as Almaviva and Vi*edo Chadwick. The producer in Chile has used the grape in its blends from the first vintage, which was produced in 1987. Terroir-driven approaches allow producers to produce distinct expressions of the same type of range.
The lost grape of Bordeaux is now known as the “Carmenre” in Chile, and it first appeared in Bordeaux in the late 18th century. In the mid- 1800s, Chile was home to vines that were mislabeled as Merlot. It wasn’t until the 1990s that the error was discovered. A variety of whites and reds can be made from Carmenre grapes, including those grown in Chile.
Chile has been producing wine since over 2,000 years ago, and it has a long and storied history filled with innovation and progress. Chile was one of the first countries in the world to experiment with new winemaking techniques and various grape varieties during the early twentieth century. Chile is a pioneer in the world of New World wine production, and its wines are some of the most acclaimed and sought-after in the world today. If you’re looking for a new Chilean red wine to try in 2021, our top 5 list is a good place to start. All of these wines are made with hand-picked, carefully sourced grapes, and they will be appreciated. Chardonnay grapes are used to make both dry and sweet wines in Chile, making them a popular wine grape. Chile’s Clos Magno Chardonnay comes from 100% Chardonnay grapes, and it’s our favorite from the country. California is the home of the Zinfandel grape variety, which is also used to make wine in Chile. Chile’s Tierra del Fuego Zinfandel is the best value for money because it is made entirely of Zinfandel grapes. Cabernet Sauvignon, a popular wine grape in the United States, is also used in Chile to make wine. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are used to make Casa Nueva Cabernet Sauvignon, Chile’s top wine. Merlot is a vegetable that comes in a variety of colors. In Chile, the Merlot wine grape is used in the production of wine, but it is also used in the United States. The Casa Nueva Merlot from Chile is our best choice, made entirely of Merlot grapes. Because it is a popular grape in Italy, it is also used for wine production in Chile. We recommend Chile’s Casa Nueva Sangiovese, which is 100% Sangiovese grapes grown in the country. Whether you’re a fan of Chilean red wines or a newcomer to the area, we’ve compiled a list of the top 5 Chilean red wines for 2021. This group of wines are all made from grapes.