One of the most interesting things about Chile is that it is the only country left that is a completely phylloxera free wine producing country. Phylloxera devastated North American vines and later European vines in the late 1800s. Phylloxera is a root louse that attacks the roots of the vines and eventually kills them. When phylloxera attacked European vineyards, the same varieties had already been well established in Chilean vineyards and were returned after grafting onto American rootstocks was discovered to thwart the louse. Chile's ungrafted vines are the only ones to extend their own roots deep into the earth to impart the truest expression of terroir to the fruit.
Chilean producers focus their efforts on green and clean. The climatic conditions limit the need for chemical intervention, and eco-friendly viticulture is common practice. Sustainable, organic, and biodynamic practices are becoming popular. The nation has developed the Chilean Code for Sustainable Wine Production, which has yet to be released. It will establish a series of practices to guide wineries toward an environmentally friendly, economically viable, and socially responsible production system and measure the improvement of sustainability.
Winemakers focus heavily on the importance of terroir and believe that good wine begins in the vineyard. These "terroir hunters" spend a lot of time scouting out new areas for growing that will bring out the best in both grape, weather and soil.
Wine Regions - North to SouthElqui Valley: Direct influence of Andes Mountains, Pacific Ocean, and Atacama Desert is more present here than in any other Chilean wine valley. Vineyards planted in the western sector receive a maritime influence by way of the thick Camanchaca fog that comes into the valley each morning to cool the vineyards and provide moisture. Those planted in the west climb high into the Andes, taking advantage of cooler air and clear skies. Syrah is the star of this region and plantings increased by 67%. Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blan, and Carmenere vineyards also increased significantly. However, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot dropped by 90% each.
Limari & Choapa Valleys: This is still a relatively new region. Red varietals have lost their stronghold on whites, which now make up almost half of all vineyards. Chardonnay, up 177% and now the predominant varietal, is primarily planted near the coast, where it benefits from a cool climate and calcareous soils for crisp wines with minerality. Syrah, planted farther inland, is up 105% and takes advantage of the warm, dry climate and clear skies for rich, fruity, full-bodied wines. The conditions also make this region ideal for organic agriculture. More Syrah has been planted in Choapa, where it benefits in rocky piedmont soils.
Aconcagua Valley: This region has more than 150 years of history. It is one of Chile's traditional wine regions and the last of the northern transversal valleys before reaching the central valley to the south. It is known almost exclusively for its rich red wines grown in the warm and sunny piedmont beneath the 23,000 foot Mt. Aconcagua, the tallest mountain in the western hemisphere. New coastal vineyards are now producing wonderful crisp and vibrant cool-climate varietals. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot decreased their presence by half and coastal Chardonnay rose 177% and Pinot Noir more than tripled.
Casablanca Valley: This region became famous in the 1980s when new technology and a pioneering spirit transformed it into Chile's first cool-climate wine region. Sauvignon Blanc has almost doubled due to vineyard improvements and Pinot Noir, and Syrah more than tripled. Other reds, such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenere decreased to almost nothing. This is an increasing tourism destination due to easy access via the major highway that runs through the valley.
San Antonio Valley: The first producers to plant in the Leyda, Lo Abarca, and Rosario sectors of the region were accused of insanity due to the cold conditions, lack of water, and poor soils in this region, the most coastal of all Chilean regions. Now many other wineries are planting in the area, which has expanded to include Malvilla, Cartegena and Llolleo as well. Overall vineyard plantations increased by almost 400% in the past year, with a growth of more than 750% for Sauvignon Blanc alone. The reason? -spectacular wines with naturally-high acidity and an attractively distinct mineral character.
Maipo Valley: One of Chile's most traditional wine regions, the Maipo Valley, which surrounds Santiago, has been producing fine wine since the mid 18th century. Many of Chile's ultra-premium red wines begin in the Andean piedmont of the Maipo Alto. Rocky soils, broad daily temperature variations, and a long, dry growing season give rise to deeply colored, elegant wines with ripe tannins and rich flavors. Cabernet Sauvignon continues to reign supreme, despite its slight dip, but Syrah increased by 132%. Malbec and Carmenere increased significantly as well. As growers find cooler locations closer to the coast, more Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc are being planted.
Rapel/Cachapoal Valley: Divided into Cachapoal in the north and Colchagua in the south, with a combined total of 34,590 hectares of wine grapes. Cachapoal has limited access to the coast and its corresponding maritime influence, and its three primary sectors, Rancagua, Peumo and Cachapoal Alto, are predominately known for their red wines. Plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot declined slightly over the past year, while Syrah increased by 125%. Carmenere, the grape of Peumo, rose by 60%.
Rapel/Colchagua Valley: The Rapel Valley's southern portion, Colchagua, is a dynamic area with continuous innovation, known for its early hillside vineyards in Ninquen and later in Apalta; world-class tourism programs and displays of traditional culture; organic viticulture; its expansion east toward the Andes into Alto Colchagua and west to Marchigue, Lolol, and Paredones near the coast, where they are now producing exciting cool-climate white wines in this traditionally red-wine valley. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot decreased this year, while Carmenere, Malbec and Syrah increased. Sauvignon Blanc increased 91% and Viognier 109%.
Curico Valley: This is another traditional wine region in Chile. Fine wine has been produced here for over 150 years, always within sight of the snow-capped Andean Mountains and dormant volcanoes that adorn the eastern horizon and the rolling coastal hills that block the marine influence to the west. Plantings decreased this year overall - Cabernet Sauvignon by 43%, Merlot by 48% and Pais by 90% (rustic mission grape used in wines for local consumption). The most notable increases were Pinot Noir by 40% and Syrah by 46%.
Maule Valley: This is a traditional wine valley that has attracted a lot of attention lately as it's been revamped over the past decade to reveal the true potential it has. In addition to its excellent terroir for growing noble varieties that produce balanced wines with bright natural acidity, the old bush vines in its long overlooked dry-farmed vineyards have proven to hold viniferous treasures such as Carignan and field blends that faithfully reflect their unique terroir. Growers have pulled out Pais and Moscatel and replaced it with Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Chardonnay.
Itata Valley: There has been a huge increase in land devoted to this wine valley, the oldest in Chile's winemaking history. First planted by the Spanish 450 years ago, this region of hot summers and very wet, cold winters has remained primarily dedicated to growing the original varieties used in traditional-style wines for local consumption, until now. They are now dedicating more land to fine varietals - most have stayed the same, but Merlot has increased in the last year.
Bio Bio & Malleco Valleys: The Bio Bio Valley, which is 400 miles south of Santiago, has been of focus lately due to its good conditions for cool-climate varieties, and this is reflected in its recent overhaul in vineyard consumption. Total vines planted are down 76% because of uprooting of rustic or inappropriate stock. Better adapted varietals like Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Riesling all rose by 50% and Sauvignon Blanc increased by 324%.
Come back for part 3 of Chilean wines, where I review the 8 Sauvignon Blancs tasted via the blogger tasting.
** Information taken from personal notes and 2010 Chilean Wine Regions Map provided by www.WinesofChile.org, www.prochile.ci and www.chileinfo.com
Recent Comments