The rise in Chilean wines may seem new to the wine world, but Chile has been planting grapevines since the 1500’s. The recent surge in Chilean wine exports has finally brought the recognition these vintners deserve; prior to the 1990’s almost all of Chilean wines were consumed by its residents.
This slender strip of land produces festive sparklers, crisp and refreshing whites, and bold, world-class reds, plus every style in between. Chile’s topography creates islands of isolation for the vineyards protecting them from the elements. Bordered by the cool Pacific Ocean to the west and the snow-capped Andes to the east, by the Atacama Desert to the north, and the far reaches of Patagonia to the south, Chile is naturally protected on all sides.
This protection also means Chile’s vines are the only major wine region free of the phylloxera pest that decimated most of the world’s vineyards in the 1800’s, and as such, the country is home to some of the world’s oldest vines. As a grapevine grows older, the grapes it produces become more concentrated and nuanced, making these pre-phylloxera vines such an asset to Chilean winemakers.
Renowned for their extraordinary quality and exceptional value, these are some of our favorite Chilean wines!
Santa Rita 120 Cabernet Sauvignon
Wine: Showcasing aromas of ripe red fruit, clove and vanilla, this is a medium-bodied and fruit-forward wine with well-structured tannins and easy drinkability.
Origin: Maipo Valley, Chile – Perhaps Chile’s most historic region, some of the grape plantings in the Maipo Valley date back to the time of the Spanish conquistadors in Chile. It wasn’t until the importation of Bordeaux grapes from France in the 19th Century that the region really began to make a name for itself and really take shape. Today, it is home to some of the best Cabernet-based wines in the world with wineries such as Concha y Toro’s Don Melchor and Santa Rita’s Casa Real leading the way.
Pairing: A perfect partner for red meat, pork, and spicy sauces.
Indomita Chardonnay Duette Vineyard
Wine: Featuring Mediterranean fruit aromas like pear, tangerine, and melon that blend to perfection with the subtle hints of smoke and caramel from barrel ageing.
Origin: Casablanca Valley – a wine-growing region of Chile, located 60 miles north-west of the country’s capital, Santiago. The east-west-oriented valley is roughly 20 miles long, stretching to the eastern border of the Valparaiso province. It is best known for its crisp white wines, most notably made from the Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay grape varieties which have gained it recognition as one of Chile’s quality wine regions.
Pairing – An excellent pairing with grilled pork, rich fish like salmon and tuna, poultry dishes and even light vegetarian fare.
Puroandes Chardonnay
Wine: Offering concentrated tropical aromas of pear and banana with a fresh, delicious blend of fruit and zesty flavors on the palate. This wine has a perfect balance and excellent finish.
Origin: Maule Valley – one of the first areas in Chile to be planted to vine, and its viticultural history stretches back to the start of colonization by the Spanish. The region has long been one of Chile’s most successful bulk-production wine districts, as evidenced by the large amount of Pais still found planted here. It has only been in the past 20 years that Maule vignerons have made a move toward quality, pioneered by the Kendall-Jackson empire of California, which set up a winery here in the mid-1990s.
Pairing: White meats such as poultry and fish work quite well with this Chardonnay. Think chicken tacos, roasted chicken, or boiled lobster.
Gryphus Cabernet Sauvignon
Wine: This medium-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon offers notes of dried black cherry, eucalyptus, cedar, smoke, and bell pepper.
Origin: Rapel Valley – a large wine-producing region in Chile’s Central Valley. Made up of the Colchagua and Cachapoal valleys, this area produces roughly a quarter of all Chilean wine. The valley runs directly south for 60 miles from the edges of Maipo Valley to the furthest edge of the Colchagua province. Flanked on both sides by mountain ranges – the Andes and the Coastal Range – Rapel Valley is sheltered from the cold influences of the Pacific Ocean. The warm, dry region makes a wide range of wine styles, ranging from everyday wines to some of Chile’s most expensive and prestigious offerings.
Pairing: Grilled red meats, lamb, bold cheeses, and flavorful vegetarian dishes.
