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Importers of Fine Wines Since 1919 | Resources for the Trade |
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The Central Valley:The Central Valley is divided into four principle valleys: Maipo, Rapel, Curicó, and Maule. Maipo:
Rapel:
Curicó:
Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot dominate the red plantings; Chardonnay is the second most widely planted white. Governmentally, Curicó forms part of the Maule region. Maule:
The Southern Region
Like the wine regions further north, there is a considerable difference between the coastal climate and the inland climate—the inland basin being warmer and drier. However, due to an increasing proximity to the South Pole, the weather, in general, is cooler and more moist. Cabernet Sauvignon and País are the dominant red varieties. Sauvignon Blanc and Moscatel are the dominate whites. An Industrious Latin Temperament
The land defines Chile. Knowing this, the Chileans have let the land also define its wines. Moving away from the warm, fertile flat lands, Chile is planting vineyards in cooler areas and at higher elevations where water is scarce and the growing seasons are long. The vine, working in more challenging conditions, demonstrates a concentrated depth of character typical of anything or anyone taking the “high road.” These days, Chile is not only making good wine; it is making great wine.
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Due to the overwhelming lack of humidity in most of Chile’s wine growing regions, the country uses fewer fungicides during the growing season than many other grape growing regions around the world. The Maipo Valley is named after the river that runs through it and is divided into three sections based on altitude - the high, middle and low Maipo. High Maipo includes the zones of Macul, Pirque and Puente Alto, where vineyards which are close to the Andes are influenced by the cold currents that make their way through this part of the valley. Wines from this area offer intense tannins and are very well structured.
The single vineyard Don Melchor cabernet sauvignon originates from the 173 acres at Puento Alto in the Maipo and is recognized as the best red wine from Chile by both Robert Parker and Wine Spectator, which awarded a 94 point rating for the 2001 vintage and number 4 ranking in the Top 100 wines for 2005. Maipo houses the headquarters of many of the major wine-producing companies, including Concha y Toro. Rapel, found just below the Maipo, is officially divided into the sub-zones of Cachapoal (Peumo vineyard is found here) and Colchagua. Rapel has a particularly good reputation for full-flavored reds. Santa Emiliana (Walnut Crest), Santa Rita, Undurraga, and the smaller Discover (Montes) are found here. Despite the fact that Curicó grows much of Chile’s Sauvignon Blanc, the majority of the region (69%) is devoted to red varieties. In the Maule, there is almost as much acreage devoted to País as there is to Cabernet Sauvignon!
The Malleco Valley has pockets of extraordinarily rich volcanic ash soil known as “trumao”. The Malleco Valley has pockets of extraordinarily rich volcanic ash soil known as “trumao”. Most of Chile’s prestige bottlings began to appear in the 1980s and 1990s. Almaviva, a prestige bottling produced by Concha Y Toro and Mouton Rothschild, is the only wine produced outside of Bordeaux that is sold through the French system of négociants on the world market. “…Chilean wine is possibly the best thing that has ever happened to Chile.” Rodrigo Alvarado, author Chilean Wine: The Heritage 
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Because of its close proximity to Santiago, many of that city’s wealthy opted to build their wineries in the Maipo in the 1800s. This region has been a focal point for the wine trade ever since. The coastal range is quite high here and blocks both mist and fog. With abundant sunshine and warm temperatures, Cabernet Sauvignon reigns supreme.
Although many of Chile’s wine regions are comprised of alluvial flatlands, Rapel’s landscape is checkered with hills and mountains. Yes, there are vines along the river flats, but there are also many vineyards clinging to sloping hillsides. The dominant grapes here are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carménère, Syrah/Shiraz, and Chardonnay.
The Curicó valley offers more than thirty different grapes grape varieties including much Sauvignon Blanc. The ocean only influences the vineyards closest to the Pacific as the Coastal Range presents a formidable barrier to maritime influences. The inland vineyards are quite warm.
Maule is the largest wine growing region in Chile and is also extremely diverse. It receives significant cloud cover and therefore experiences some moderate temperatures. Almost a quarter of all Chile’s vineyards are located here.
To the south, are the Bío Bío and Araucanía regions. Bío Bío starts just as the Central Valley ends. It is comprised of two valleys: Bío Bío and Itata. Within the Araucanía region is the Malleco Valley.
Chile is working hard to show the world that it can produce more than solid, everyday table wines. Although it built its reputation on value-priced, fruit-forward bottlings with soft, supple tannins, it has been reviewing its contribution to the world wine market with a critical eye.
In the southern region of Araucanía, there are 55 active volcanoes!