Red Varieties
Pinot Noir, Syrah, Merlot
Chilean Wine Regions
Chile’s wine regions are set among a land of extremes. To the north lies the arid Atacama Desert, to the west the cold Pacific Ocean, in the east snow-capped Andes Mountains stand tall, with the icy glaciers of Patagonia to the south. In the middle of it all lays the self-proclaimed Garden of Eden – luscious valleys with rows upon rows of beautiful vineyards taking advantage of perfectly unique winemaking conditions.
Wine has been made in Chile since the mid-16th century during the era of the Spanish conquistadors. They, along with other European settlers, were the first to bring vines. Classic varieties which the country is so famous for today including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc were bought by the French in the middle of the 19th century. Carménère, arguably Chile’s flagship variety, was also a French intervention! Chile is a complex country when it comes to modern day appellations and regional laws. Fifteen of the country’s most recognised wine valleys are grouped into five geographical wine regions. As wine producing countries go, Chile is certainly a powerhouse and is the fourth largest exporter of wine in the world shipping 850 million litres to over 150 countries!
Learn About the History, Grape Varieties, Climate and Wines of Each Chilean Wine Region Below:
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Atacama
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Coquimbo
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Aconcagua
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Central Valley
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Southern Region
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Atacama
Browse Chilean WineAn Introduction to Atacama
Atacama wine region is a relative newcomer to the Chilean wine map. The quantities of wine here are therefore expectedly far lower than most, if not all, of its neighbours. Although classic varieties are found here, the region is mostly recognised for its Pisco, a Chilean grape brandy and all-round South American favourite. This is made from a wide variety of grapes including European and local specialities. The wine pioneers of this region are Viña Ventisquero, who will tell you, “This is a place that tells us what to do, not the opposite”.
Climate and Geography
The Atacama Desert itself can be very hot and is among the driest in the world. Most winemaking here is therefore concentrated along the coastline where water is more accessible and lands benefit from the cooling breeze, so much so in fact that is even considered by some as a cool climate region, despite its desert location. Soils here struggle, and rely on irrigation for much needed moisture.
White Varieties
Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Viognier
Climate
Moderate, coastal
Landscape
High altitude
Soil
Limestone, silt, clay
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Coquimbo
Browse Chilean WineAn Introduction to Coquimbo
Coquimbo wine region is comprised of two main valleys, Elqui and Limari. Both regions have traditionally focused on table wines and Pisco, the nation’s brandy, but more recently are producing serious wines of very high quality. Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon lead the way for red wines, whilst Chardonnay dominates the whites alongside high volumes of Sauvignon Blanc and Pedro Ximénez. This is one of the earliest winemaking regions dating back to the 16th century, and has since embraced modern winemaking technologies.
Climate and Geography
As with Atacama, there is very little rainfall here which can make winemaking problematic. Snow melt from the Andes Mountains is critical for irrigation for what are among the highest vineyards in all of Chile’s wine regions. A selection of vineyards in Elqui reach as high as 2000 metres above sea level! Wines here have a distinct mineral edge with unique freshness, very much reflected of the terroir and immediate geography.
Red Varieties
Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Carménère
White Varieties
Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pedro Ximenez
Climate
Moderate, coastal
Landscape
High altitude
Soil
Clay, silt, chalk
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Aconcagua
Browse Chilean WineAn Introduction to Aconcagua
Aconcagua wine region consists of three main valleys – Casablanca, San Antonia and Aconcagua Valley, the latter of which is relatively small and benefits from a slightly warmer climate with less rainfall than its neighbours. In part, this is why over 90% of wines produced here are red varieties including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Carménère. The other two valleys produce far more white varieties, largely due to cooler climatic conditions, with excellent Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and smaller quantities of Riesling and Gewὕrztraminer firmly placing them on Chile’s respected wine map. Casablanca was also the country’s first recognised cool climate valley.
Climate and Geography
The mostly cool climate vineyards here are strongly influenced by the cooling effects of the Pacific Ocean breeze which encourage slow ripening in the long summer months. This results in often concentrated, lively flavours with undertones of great minerality and acidity, particularly in white wines. Reds from Aconcagua have a growing reputation for their spicy, complex appeal that are increasingly turning heads. Soils here are largely either rocky or a sandy clay, with a growing amount of coastal plantations taking advantage of ideal terroir for white wine production.
Red Varieties
Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère, Merlot, Syrah, Pinot Noir
White Varieties
Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Gewὕrztraminer
Climate
Cool, moderate
Landscape
Valleys
Soil
Granite, clay, sand
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Central Valley
Browse Chilean WineAn Introduction to Central Valley
The largest of all Chile’s wine regions covering vastly different landscapes. In some areas, you will find the foothills of the Andes Mountains, whilst in others, wide open valleys stretch as far as the eye can see. Four rivers separate the individual valleys which make up the central region, each deserving their own respective attention. These valleys are the lifeblood of Chilean wine and the reason this part of the New World has grown to be a true global leader in winemaking.
Maipo Valley
The most famous of all Chile’s wine valleys. Maipo is the traditional heart of Chilean winemaking and was the home to the country’s first serious winemakers in the 19th century. Many grand estates can be found today, still proudly growing original Bordeaux old vines. It is here that Chile was first lauded for serious quality Cabernet Sauvignon, benefitting from complex aromas and finer tannins driven by the area’s mesoclimates. Red wines here are known for lush fruit flavours, with intense black fruits and soft, silky finishes.
Rapel Valley
Rapel Valley has over three times as many hectares of vines as Maipo and is divided into two sub zones – Cachapoal and Colchgua. Each area sits along the river which flows into Lake Rapel. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot dominate the central areas where warmer climatic conditions are found, whilst in cooler areas, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc thrive. As with Maipo, the region is associated with full and fruity red wines.
Curicó Valley
Diversity is king in Curicó where more than 30 varieties of grapes have been grown here since the 1800s, making it one of Chile’s oldest wine regions. It is also the primary industry within the valley itself, which is extensive with a vast range of soil conditions and sunlight exposure. Shielded from the ocean by hilly landscapes, the climate here is ideal for big hitting reds and fresh Sauvignon Blanc. In more recent decades, it has been the Spanish who have opened the doors to new investment and modern winemaking techniques.
Maule Valley
Maule Valley is the furthest south of the central region and is regarded to be quite overlooked. As well as being one of the oldest winemaking valleys, it is also the largest, with many old-bush vineyards predating those who make the wines today. Carignan, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec are popular here, as well as many other mostly red varieties including Syrah and Carménère. Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and local variety Torontel make up the primary white grapes.
Red Varieties
Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Carménère, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Carignan, Pais
White Varieties
Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc
Climate
Moderate
Landscape
Valleys
Soil
Granite, clay, sand, gravel
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Southern Region
Browse Chilean WineAn Introduction to Southern Wine Region
The south is another region which consists of three main valleys – Itata, Bio Bio and Malleco. On the whole, these are cooler regions with tougher climatic conditions for grape growing, particularly in Bio Bio and Malleco which have higher annual rainfall, strong winds and more winemaking challenges than the northerly regions. Cool climate grapes including Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir thrive here, with naturally fresh acidity and zing.
Climate and Geography
Itata is the northernmost valley within the Southern Region and has some of the earliest vineyards to its name. Today, an exciting mix of old and new are grown here, with more niche varieties including Pais and Chasselas (Corinto) proving popular for growers. As with many of Chile’s wine regions, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are commonly found, as well as smaller quantities of Cinsault and Muscat. Many vineyards here are placed on very high and vertical slopes which have rich alluvial soils.
There is one other area which is worth mentioning and is very much the ‘new kid on the block’. Austral is the latest officially classified region in Chile which sits at the very south of the country. Wines here, whilst experimental, are growing in stature with white wines such as Riesling and Chardonnay very elegant in approach with good minerality and low alcohol, making then very drinkable. Sparkling wines are next on the region’s horizon – watch this space!
Red Varieties
Pinot Noir, Pais, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault, Merlot
White Varieties
Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Chasselas, Muscat
Climate
Cool
Landscape
Valleys
Soil
Alluvial, clay, sand
