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Countries index – Winemaking – Grapes
| Chile: Its wine industry was originally developed by French emigrants. Today it is the world’s fifth largest exporter with over 800 active wineries.  Image source: pinterest |
QUICK LINKS TO CHILE REGIONS
[Acon]
[Maip]
REGION-BY-REGION
| Aconcagua The area was thought to be inhospitable to wine growing. Don Maximiano Errazuriz, a wine pioneer, planted the first vine cuttings in the Aconcagua Valley, and they grew! This region encompasses all winegrowing areas in Valparaíso in the central area.  Image source: thirtyfifty.co.uk Areas: There are a series of wine-producing valleys Aconcagua, Casablanca, San Antonio and Leyda – and the Aconcagua Costa. Grapes: Red: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan, Carmenère, Cinsault, Merlot, Pinot noir, Syrah White: Chardonnay, Sauvignon blanc  Image source – experiencechile.org | Maipo (Maipú) Valley At the northern end of Chile’s Central Valley and south of the capital, Santiago, the Maipo Valley is home to the country’s most prestigious wines, often described as the ‘Bordeaux of South America‘. It has sub-zones Alto Maipo, Central Maipo and Pacific Maipo, plus Cacchapoal, Colhagua, Curicó and Maule valleys. The first vines were planted here in the 1540s. It was in the 1800s that mineral resources in the Atacama inspired entrepreneurs and viticulture expanded.  Image source: thirtyfifty.co.uk Areas: There are a series of wine-producing valleys Maipo Valley, Cachapoal Valley, Colchagua Valley, Curico Valley and Maule Valley. Grapes: Red: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan, Carménère, Malbec, Merlot, Syrah, Tintorera. White: Chardonnay, Sauvignon blanc  Image source: thesouthamericaspecialists.com |
[Atac]
[Maip]
| Atacama In the north of Chile Atacama produces table grapes and a small number of wines. Much of Atacama is desert, the driest in the world! Viticulture is located in a thin strip along the coast, where access to water and the breezes from the Pacific make it conducive to wine grapes.  Image source: winesofchile.org Areas: This area is located near the city of Huasco. Copiapó is another wine-gowing area. Grapes: Red: Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, Malbec. Pais, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Tintorera. White: Chardonnay, Muscat of Alexandria, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier – and a great deal of Pisco, that produces a brandy-like spirit  Image source: wineanorak.com | Southern Chile In the 16th c the Spanish conquistadors introduced Vitis vinifera vines into the region. I n the mid-19th c, French wine varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carmenère, and Cabernet Franc were introduced.  Image source: winesofchile.org Areas: This region encompasses Itata Valley, Bío Bío Valley and Malleco Valley. Grapes: Red: Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan, Carmenère, Cinsault, Merlot, Pinot noir, White: Chardonnay, Chasselas, Gewürztraminer, Muscat of Alexandria, Riesling, Sauvignon blanc  Image source: gochile.cl |
[Coqu]
| Coquimbo: One of the earliest winemaking regions in Chile, which dates back to the 16th century – vines were first planted in La Serena.  Image source: thirtyfifty.co.uk Areas: Wine-growing is in the Choapa Valley (Illapel River), Elqui Valley (south af the Atacama) and Limari Valley (River Limari). Grapes: Red: Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère, Malbec, Pinot noir, Syrah, Tintorera. White: Chardonnay, Moscatel, Pedro Jiménez, Pisco, Sauvignon blanc  Image source: hic-winemerchants.com |
[Wine]
Wines of Chile
Image source: vineyards.com
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