WINE FROM CHILE
Chile is one of the most important wine-producing countries in South America. It is known as the paradise of wine production, due mainly to its globally unique geographic barriers, , which makes Chile an exceptional region unlike any other place in the world, as it is a country that extends along the ocean coastline.
Besides, its location, between a desert (on the North) and the glaciers (on the South) has favored the creation of some very special wines. The history of Chilean wine dates back to the XVI century, when the Spanish conquerors introduced wine grapes into the New World.
The Curicó Valley is arguably the most important region with regards to paving the way for the rest of Chile’s expansion into growing wine. The wines from this region are exported all over the world, including England, Canada, United States, Germany, Sweden, France, Denmark, Belgium, Netherlands, Ireland, Spain, Japan, Mexico and Brazil. The quality of its wines, its local cuisine, history, costumes and culture make the Curico Valley an unique place to visit, especially for wine lovers.
LOCATION
The Curico Valley stands out as one of the most prestigious wine-producing valleys in Chile. It is located about 115 miles (180 km) south of the capital, Santiago. It is large and diverse with 1,484 hectares under vine, and it grows the widest variety of grapes of all the valleys in the country, which speaks of its soil diversity and ideal conditions to make wine.
CLIMATE
Curico boasts a Mediterranean climate, with a dry season of 5 months between November and March and an average temperature of 20°C – 30°C (68° F – 86°F). This style of climate offers long, warm, sunny days followed by starkly cool evenings during the growing season, which is ideal for growing a wide variety of wine grapes. Winters are influenced by the Pacific, which results in rains of approximately 720mm a year.
TYPES OF GRAPES
In the coldest áreas of the valley, the conditions are favorable for growing white grapes, especially Saugvinon Blanc, Carménère, Syrah, Pinot Noir, Viognier and Riesling. Cabernet Sauvignon holds the most acreage here, closely followed by Sauvignon Blanc plantings. Most of the wines produced here tend to be well balanced, given the tamer Mediterranean and consistent climate.
TYPE OF SOIL
The conditions on the valley floor and on the Andes Mountains play an important role as the plantings are spread across these areas. Soils are plane, composed of clay, sand, and minerals, and with good permeability. The soils in the highest areas are mainly made up of sand and rocks. This composition of the soil, combined with the climate, make it an ideal region for Sauvignon Blanc and powerful red wines.
This is a red grape original from Burdeos, France. In Chile, the Cabernet Sauvignon has been cultivated for about 150 years; it was brought in by immigrants. In this area, the grape is cultivated in warm weathers and produces fruity wines with strong acidity and tannins. It can present aromas of berries, of green bell pepper when it’s young, and, after some time in the oak, it has aroma of tobacco or chocolate. The Chilean Cabernet has a characteristic aroma of eucalipto.
This grape is original from France, and it is very popular in California and Australia. The Syrah is relatively new in the Chilean vineyards, but it has rooted in quickly and become a shining star in the country’s wine scene. It’s a red grape, richly pigmented, and produces dark red wines that vary in style, depending on where the grape is grown.
It is Chile’s emblematic red grape. It comes from the French region of Medoc. It has aromas of red and black berries when it’s young, and after spending some time in the oak, it develops aromas of cinnamon, clove and coffee. It is not high in tannins which makes it a light red wine. It is recommended to drink young.
It is a White grape cultivated in the North and East of Santiago, Chile. It grows in clay soils with sunny weather. It is considered an emblematic grape. This grape is original from France and is one of the most famous grapes in the world. It has aromas of fruits, flowers and herbs, and a special acidity. The vines cultivated in Chile are ideal for being aged in the oak.
Viognier is a full-bodied white wine that originated in southern France. It ranges in taste from lighter flavors of tangerine, mango and honeysuckle to creamier, strong aromas of vanilla, apricot, violet, with spices of nutmeg and clove, which make it one of the world’s most recognizable grape varieties. In the mouth, it shows great richness, flavors of stone fruit and honey, and a long finish. It is typically best drunk young.
Riesling originated in Germany and is one of the top white grapes in the world. It is an aromatic grape that can produce dry to very sweet dessert wines. Riesling-based wines typically express notes of apple, citrus, honey and petrol, yes, petrol. While this aroma might sound off-putting, it’s the petrol aroma that many wine enthusiasts believe is how you can tell a high-quality age-worthy Riesling apart from other Riesling. This aroma is a result of the strong presence of a chemical compound known as TDN, which give this wine the ability to age. In fact, while most white wines are meant to be drunk very soon after bottling, high-quality Riesling can last and improve in the bottle for over a hundred years.
