Chilean wine 521306 218589908 2008-06-11T09:29:55Z 125.17.176.18 /* Wine regions */ [[Image:Casillero del Diablo wine.jpg|thumb|125px|right|Chilean Casillero del Diablo]] [[Image:Vino Santa Monica.jpg|thumb|125px|right|Cabernet Sauvignon Santa Mónica]] '''Chilean wine''' is [[wine]] made in the [[South America]]n country of [[Chile]]. The region has a long [[viticulture|viticultural]] history for a [[New World wine]] region dating to the 16th century when the [[Spain|Spanish]] [[conquistadores]] brought ''[[Vitis vinifera]]'' vines with them as they [[Spanish colonization of the Americas|colonized the region]]. In the mid-18th century, [[French wine]] [[varietal]]s such as [[Cabernet Sauvignon]] and [[Merlot]] were introduced. In the early 1980s, a renaissance began with the introduction of stainless steel [[fermentation (wine)|fermentation]] tanks and the use of [[oak (wine)|oak]] barrels for aging. Wine [[export]]s grew very quickly as quality wine production increased. The number of wineries has grown from 12 in 1995 to over 70 in 2005. Chile is now the fifth largest exporter of wines to the [[United States]]. The climate has been described as midway between that of [[California]] and [[France]]. The most common grapes are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and [[Carmenère]]. So far Chile has remained free of [[phylloxera]] louse which means that the country's [[grapevine]]s do not need to be [[grafting|grafted]].<ref name="MacNeil pg 836-843"> K. MacNeil ''The Wine Bible'' pg 836-843 Workman Publishing 2001 ISBN 1563054345 </ref> ==History== {{See also|History of Chile}} [[Image:Fundacion de Santiago.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Pedro Lira's 1889 painting of the founding of Santiago by conquistadors. As the Spanish conquered the land they brought grapevines with them.]] European ''Vitis vinifera'' vines were brought to Chile by Spanish conquistadors and [[missionaries]] in the 16th century around 1554. Local legend states that the conquistador [[Francisco de Aguirre (conquistador)|Francisco de Aguirre]] himself planted the first vines.<ref name="Johnson atlas pg 297-299"/> The vines most likely came from established Spanish vineyards planted in [[Peru]] which included the "common black grape", as it was known, that [[Hernán Cortés]] brought to [[Mexico]] in 1520. This grape variety would become the ancestor of the widely planted [[Pais]] grape that would be the most widely planted Chilean grape till the 21st century.<ref name="MacNeil pg 836-843"/> [[Jesuit]] [[priest]] cultivated these early vineyards, using the wine for the celebration of the [[Eucharist]]. By the late 16th century, the early Chilean historian [[Alonso de Ovalle]] described widespread plantings of "the common black grape", [[Muscatel]], [[Torontel]], [[Albilho]] and [[Mollar]].<ref name="Oxford pg 163-167"> J. Robinson (ed) ''"The Oxford Companion to Wine"'' Third Edition pg 163-167 Oxford University Press 2006 ISBN 0198609906 </ref> During the Spanish rule, vineyards were restricted in production with the stipulation that the Chilean should purchase the bulk of their wines directly from Spain itself. For the most part the Chileans ignored these restrictions, preferring their domestic production to the [[oxidize]]d and [[vinegar|vinegary]] wines that didn't fare well during the long voyages from Spain. They were even so bold as to start exporting some of their wines to neighboring Peru with one such export shipment being captured at sea by the English [[privateer]] [[Francis Drake]]. When Spain heard of the event rather than being outraged at Drake, an indictment was sent back to Chile with the order to uproot most of their vineyards. This order, too, was mostly ignored.<ref name="Johnson pg 432-434"> H. Johnson ''Vintage: The Story of Wine'' pg 432-434 Simon and Schuster 1989 ISBN 0671687026 </ref> In the 18th century, Chile was known mostly for its [[sweetness of wine|sweet wines]] made from the Pais and Muscatel grapes. To achieve a high level of sweetness the wines were often [[boiled]] which concentrated the grape [[must]].<ref name="Oxford pg 163-167"/> Following his shipwreck off the coast at [[Cape Horn]], Admiral [[John Byron]] (Grandfather of the poet [[Lord Byron]]) traveled across Chile and came back to England with a glowing review of Chilean Muscatel comparing it favorably to [[Madeira wine|Madeira]]. The 19th century wine writer [[André Julien (writer)|André Julien]] was not as impressed, comparing Chilean wines to a "potion of [[rhubarb]] and [[Senna (genus)|senna]]".<ref name="Johnson pg 432-434"/> [[Image:Vino Don Francisco.jpg|right|thumb|Chilean Sauvignon blanc]] Despite being politically linked to Spain, Chile's wine history has been most profoundly influenced by [[French wine|French]], particularly [[Bordeaux wine|Bordeaux]], [[winemaking]]. Prior to the [[Great French Wine Blight|phylloxera epidemic]], wealthy Chilean landowners were influenced by their visits to France and began importing French vines to plant. Don [[Silvestre Ochagavia Echazareta]]<sup>6</sup> was the first, importing Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, [[Cabernet franc]], [[Malbec]], [[Sauvignon blanc]] and [[Sémillon]] in 1851. In 1870 Don Maximo Errazuriz founded the first winery dedicated to international varieties. He hired a French [[oenologist]] to oversee his vineyard planting and to produce wine in the Bordeaux style. Errázuriz saw potential in Chile and even experimented with the [[German wine]] grape [[Riesling]].<ref name="Johnson pg 432-434"/> In events that parallel those of the [[Rioja (wine)|Rioja]] wine region, the entrance of phylloxera into the French wine world turned into a positive event for the Chilean wine industry. With vineyards in ruin, many French winemakers traveled to South America, bringing their experience and techniques with them.<ref name="MacNeil pg 836-843"/> Political instability in the 20th century, coupled with bureaucratic regulations and high taxes tempered the growth of the Chilean wine industry. Prior to the 1980s, the vast majority of Chilean wine was considered low quality and mostly consumed domestically. As awareness of Chile's favorable growing conditions for viticulture increased so did foreign investment in Chilean wineries. This period saw many technical advances in winemaking as Chile earned a reputation for reasonably priced premium quality wines. Chile began to export extensively, becoming the third leading exporter, after France and [[Italian wine|Italy]], into the United States by the turn of the 21st century. It has since dropped to fourth in the US, being surpassed by [[Australian wine|Australia]], but focus has switched to developing exports in the world's other major wine markets like the [[United Kingdom]] and [[Japan]].<ref name="MacNeil pg 836-843"/> ==Climate and geography== {{See also|Climate of Chile|Geography of Chile}} [[Image:Chile map2 with wine regions highlighted.JPG|left|thumb|Chile's topography with the location of most of Chile's wine regions highlighted.]] Chile is a long, narrow country that is geographically and climatically dominated by the [[Andes]] to the east and the [[Pacific Ocean]] to the west. Chile's vineyards are found along an 800 [[mile]] stretch of land from [[Atacama Region]] to the [[Bio-Bio Region]] in the south. The climate is varied with the northern regions being very hot and dry compared to the cooler, wetter regions in the south. In the [[Chilean Central Valley|Valle Central]] around [[Santiago, Chile|Santiago]], the climate is dry with an average of 15 [[inch]]es (38 [[centimeter]]s) of rain and little to risk of springtime [[frost]]. The close proximately to the Andes help create a wide [[diurnal temperature variation]] between day and nighttime temperatures. This cool drop in temperature is vital in maintaining the grapes' [[acidity]] levels.<ref name="Sotheby pg 543-546"> T. Stevenson ''"The Sotheby's Wine Encyclopedia"'' pg 543-546 Dorling Kindersley 2005 ISBN 0756613248 </ref> Most of Chile's premium wine regions are dependent on [[irrigation]] to sustain vineyards, getting the necessary water from melting snow caps in the Andes. In the developing wine regions along the [[Chilean Coast Range|Coastal Range]]s and in the far south, there is not a lack in needed rainfall but vineyards owners have to deal with other factors such as the [[Humboldt Current]] from the Pacific which can bathe a vineyard with a blanket of cool air. For the rest of Chile's wine regions, the Coastal Ranges serve a buffer from the current and also acts as a [[rain shadow]]. The vineyards in these regions are planted on the [[valley]] plains of the Andes foothills along a major river such as the [[Maipo River|Maipo]], [[Rapel River|Rapel]] and [[Maule River]]s.<ref name="Sotheby pg 543-546"/> The vineyards of Chile fall between the [[latitude]]s of 32 and 38° [[degree (angle)|s]] which, in the [[Northern Hemisphere]] would be the equivalent of southern Spain and [[North Africa]]. However the climate in Chile's wine regions is much more temperate than those regions, comparing more closely to [[California]] and Bordeaux. Overall, it is classified as a [[Mediterranean climate]] with average summer temperatures of 59-64 [[Fahrenheit|°F]] (15-18 [[Celsius|°C]]) and potential highs 86 °F (30 °C).<ref name="Oxford pg 163-167"/> ==Wine regions== <!-- Image with inadequate rationale removed: [[Image:Chilicarte2.gif|right|thumb|Chile's major wine regions]] --> In December 1994, the Republic of Chile defined the following viticultural [[Regions of Chile|regions]]- *'''Atacama''', within the Atacama region (III administrative region). Within it are two subregions, the [[Copiapó Valley]] and the [[Huasco Valley]], both of which are coterminous with the provinces of the same names. The region is known primarily for its [[Pisco]] production.<ref name="Sotheby pg 543-546"/> Atacama is also an important source of [[table grape]]s.<ref name="Oxford pg 163-167"/> *'''Coquimbo''', within the [[Coquimbo Region]] (IV administrative region). It has three subregions: [[Elqui Valley]], [[Limarí Valley]], and the [[Choapa Valley]]. All subregions are coterminous with the provinces of the same names. Like the Atacama this region is primarily known for Pisco and table grapes.<ref name="Sotheby pg 543-546"/> *'''[[Aconcagua (wine)|Aconcagua]]''', within the [[Valparaiso Region]] (V administrative region). It includes two subregions, the Valley of [[Aconcagua]] and the Valley of [[Casablanca, Chile|Casablanca]]. The Aconcagua Valley is coterminous with the province of that name. The Casablanca Valley is coterminous with the ''comuna'' of that name. The [[Panquehue]] commune is also gradually developing a reputation for high quality wine production. Casablanca is one of Chile's cooler wine region and is often compared to the [[Californian wine]] region of [[Los Carneros AVA|Carneros]] and grows similar grape varietals like [[Chardonnay]] and [[Pinot noir]].<ref name="Sotheby pg 543-546"/> Casablanca's growing seasons last up to a month longer than other regions, typically [[harvest (wine)|harvest]]ing in April.<ref name="Johnson atlas pg 297-299"> H. Johnson & J. Robinson ''The World Atlas of Wine'' pg 297-299 Mitchell Beazley Publishing 2005 ISBN 1840003324 </ref> The northern region of Aconcagua is Chile's warmest wine region and is primarily planted with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The soil of this region is composed mainly of [[alluvial]] deposits left over from ancient [[river bed]]s.<ref name="MacNeil pg 836-843"/> *'''[[Valle Central (wine)|Valle Central]]''', which spans the [[O' Region]] (VI) and [[Maule Region]] (VII) Administrative Regions and the [[Metropolitana Region of Chile|Administrative Metropolitan Region]]. Within it are four subregions: the Maipo Valley, the Rapel Valley, the [[Curico|Curicó]] Valley and the Maule Valley. This is Chile's most productive and internationally known wine region, due in large part to its close proximately to the country's capital Santiago. It is located directly across the Andes' from [[Argentina]]'s most well known wine region [[Mendoza Province]]. The Maipo Valley is the most widely cultivated valley and is known for its Cabernet Sauvignon. The Rapel wine region in the [[Colchagua Province]] is also known for it Cabernet. Curicó has both red and white wine varieties planted but is most widely known for it Chardonnay. The Maule Valley still has large plantings of the local Pais but is gradually being planted with better red wine varieties.<ref name="Sotheby pg 543-546"/> The soil of Maipo Valley is noted for it high [[salinity]] steaming from irrigation from the Maipo river and low [[potassium]] level which has some impact on the grapevines. Vineyards in the Maule also suffer from low potassium as well as deficient [[nitrogen]] levels. Advances in viticultural techniques have helped vineyards in these regions compensate for some of these effects.<ref name="Oxford pg 163-167"/> *'''[[Southern Chile (wine)|Southern Chile]]''', within the Bio-Bio Region (VIII). Two subregions are included: [[Itata River|Itata Valley]] and Bío-Bío Valley. The region is primarily known for its mass produce Pais [[box wine|box]] and [[jug wine]]s though [[Concha y Toro Winery]] has experimented with [[Gewürztraminer]] from this region.<ref name="Sotheby pg 543-546"/> The southern regions have more rainfall, lower average temperature and fewer hours of sunlight than the northern wine regions.<ref name="Oxford pg 163-167"/> ==Viticulture== [[Image:Chilean vineyard in Andes foothills.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Many of Chile's vineyards are found on flat land within the foothills of the Andes.]] Chile's natural boundaries (Pacific Ocean, Andes Mountain, [[Atacama Desert]] to the north and [[Antarctica]] to the south) has left it relatively isolated from other parts of the world and has served to be beneficial in keeping the phylloxera louse at bay. Because of this many Chilean vineyards do not have to graft their rootstock and incur that added cost of planting. Chilean wineries have stated that this "purity" of their vines is a positive element that can be tasted in the wine but most wine experts agree that the most apparent benefit is the financial aspect. The one wine region that is the exception to this freedom from grafting is Casablanca whose vines are susceptible to attack by [[nematode]]s.<ref name="Johnson atlas pg 297-299"/> While phylloxera is not a problem, winemakers do have to worry about other [[grape diseases]] and hazards such as [[downy mildew]], which was spread easily by [[El Niño]] influences and severely affected the 1997-1998 vintages. [[Powdery mildew]] and [[verticillium wilt]] can also cause trouble.<ref name="Oxford pg 163-167"/> There is not much vintage variation due to the reliability of favorable weather with little risk of spring time frost or harvest time rains. The main exception, again, is Casablanca due in part to its closer proximately to the Pacific. For the Chilean wine regions in the Valle Central, the Andes and Coastal Ranges create a rain shadow affect which traps the warm arid air in the region. At night, cool air comes into the area from the Andes which dramatically drops the temperature. This help maintain high levels of acidity to go with the ripe fruit that grapes develop with the long hours of uninterrupted sunshine that they get during the day. The result is a unique profile of [[flavonoid]]s in the wine which some Chilean wineries claim make Chilean wines higher in [[resveratrol]] and [[antioxidant]]s.<ref name="Johnson atlas pg 297-299"/> Harvest typically begins at the end of February for varieties like Chardonnay with some red wine varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon being picked in April and Carmenère sometimes staying on the vine into May. The Andes also provide a ready source of irrigation which was historically done in [[Irrigation#Surface irrigation|flood plain]] style. Chilean vineyard owners would dig canals throughout their vineyards and then flood the entire surface area with water allowing some to seep into the ground and the run off to be funnel away through the canals. This encouraged excessive irrigation and high [[yield (wine)|yield]]s which had a negative effect on quality. During the wine renaissance of the 1980s & 1990s more vineyards converted to [[drip irrigation]] system which allowed greater control and helped reduce yields. The [[List of vineyard soils|soil composition]] of Chile's vineyards varies from the [[clay]] dominated landscapes of Colchagua, which is thusly heavily planted with the clay-loving Merlot, to the mixture of [[loam]], [[limestone]] and [[sand]] found in other regions.<ref name="Johnson atlas pg 297-299"/> In the southern Rapel and parts of Maule, [[tuffeau]] soil is present with [[volcanic]] soil being found in parts of Curico and Bio-Bio.<ref name="Oxford pg 163-167"/> ==Winemaking== [[Image:Concha y Toro old ruili barrels.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Old barrels made of rauli wood outside of Concha y Toro.]] Chile has benefited from an influx of foreign investment and winemaking talent that begin in the late 20th century. [[Flying winemaker]]s introduced new technology and styles that helped Chilean wineries produce more international recognized wine styles. One such improvement was the use of oak. Historically Chilean winemakers had aged their wines in [[aging barrel|barrel]]s made from [[rauli]] beechwood which imparted to the wine a unique taste that many international tasters found unpleasant. Gradually the wineries began to convert to French and American oak or stainless steel tanks for aging.<ref name="Johnson atlas pg 297-299"/> Financial investment manifested in the form of European and American winemakers opening up their own wineries or collaborating with existing Chilean wineries to produce new brands. These include... *[[Robert Mondavi]], collaboration with [[Viña Errázuriz]] to produce ''[[Sena (wine)|Sena]]'' *[[Miguel A. Torres]], [[Catalan wine]]maker opened [[Miguel Torres Chile]] in 1979 *[[Kendall-Jackson]], opened Viña Calina *[[Château Lafite Rothschild]], collaboration with Los Vascos *Bruno Prats, Owner of [[Château Cos d'Estournel]], and Paul Pontallier, former winemaker of [[Chateau Margaux]], opened Domaine Paul Bruno *[[Château Mouton Rothschild]], collaboration with Concha y Toro Winery to produce ''Almaviva'' ===Wine laws=== Chile's wine laws are more similar to the US [[American Viticultural Area|appellation system]] than to France's ''[[Appellation d'origine contrôlée]]'' that most of Europe has based their wine laws on. Chile's system went into effect in 1995 and established the boundaries of the countries wine regions and established regulations for [[wine label]]s. There are no restrictions of [[List of grape varieties|grape varieties]], viticultural practices or winemaking techniques. Wines are required to have at least 75% of a grape variety if its to listed on the label as well as at least 75% from the designated [[vintage]] year. To list a particular wine region, 75% is also the minimum requirement of grapes that need to be from that region. Similar to the United States, the term ''Reserve'' has no legal definition or meaning.<ref name="MacNeil pg 836-843"/> ==Grapes and wines== [[Image:8062carmenere.jpg|left|thumb|Carménère]] Over twenty grape varieties are grown in Chile, mainly a mixture of Spanish and French varieties, but many wineries are increasing experimentation in higher numbers.<ref name="MacNeil pg 836-843"/> For most of Chile's history, Pais was the most widely planted grape only recently getting passed by Cabernet Sauvignon. Other red wine varieties include [[Merlot]], [[Carménère]], [[Zinfandel]], [[Petite Sirah]], Cabernet franc, Pinot noir, [[Syrah]], [[Sangiovese]], [[Barbera]], [[Malbec]], and [[Carignan]]. White wine varieties include Chardonnay, Sauvignon blanc, [[Sauvignon vert]], Sémillon, Riesling, [[Viognier]], [[Torontel]], [[Pedro Ximénez]], Gewürztraminer and [[Muscat of Alexandria]].<ref name="Sotheby pg 543-546"/> Chilean winemakers have been developing a distinct style for their Cabernet Sauvignon, producing an easy drinking wine with soft [[tannin]]s and flavors of [[mentha|mint]], [[black currant]], [[olives]] and smoke. The country's Chardonnays are less distinctive, following more the [[stereotypical]] New World style.<ref name="MacNeil pg 836-843"/> While [[sparkling wine]]s have been made since 1879, they have not yet established a significant place in Chile's wine portfolio.<ref name="Oxford pg 163-167"/> ===Merlot & Sauvignon blanc=== {{See also|Carmenere}} In the late 20th century as Chilean wines became more popular, wine tasters around the world began to doubt the authenticity of wines labeled Merlot and Sauvignon blanc. The wines lack many of the characteristics and [[typicity]] of those grapes. [[Ampelographer]]s began to study the vines and found that what was considered Merlot was actually the ancient [[Bordeaux wine]] grape Carménère that was thought to be extinct. The Sauvignon blanc vines were found to actually be Sauvignonasse, also known as Sauvignon vert, or a mutated Sauvignon blanc/Sémillon cross. In response to these discoveries several Chilean wineries began to import true Merlot and Sauvignon blanc [[cutting (plant)|cuttings]] to where most bottle of wines labeled Merlot and Sauvignon blanc from vintages in the 21st century are very likely to truly be those varieties.<ref name="Sotheby pg 543-546"/> ==International competitions== In some [[Wine competition|international competitions]], Chilean wines have ranked very highly. For example, in the [[Berlin Wine Tasting of 2004]], 36 European experts blind tasted wines from two vintages each of eight top wines from France, Italy and Chile. The first and second place wines were two Cabernet-based reds from Chile: [[Viñedo Chadwick]] 2000 and [[Sena wine|Sena]] 2001.<ref>http://www.travellady.com/Issues/April07/CousinoMaculrulesChileanwine.htm</ref> [[The Berlin Wine Tasting of 2005]] held in Brazil featured five Chilean wines in the top seven.<ref>http://www.theberlintasting.com/brazil/results.asp?state=t&menu=r</ref> In the [[Tokyo Wine Tasting of 2006]], Chilean wines won four of the top five rankings.<ref>http://www.theberlintasting.com/japan/results.asp?state=t&menu=r</ref> ==References== {{reflist}} 6. Domine, Andre ''Wine'' pg846 Konemann 2000 ISBN 3-8290-4856-4 ==External links== *{{commons|Category:Wines of Chile|Chilean wine}} * [http://www.winesofchile.org/ Wines of Chile] * [http://www.vinasdechile.cl/ Asociación de Viñas de Chile A.G.] {{es_icon}} * [http://www.planetavino.com/ <b>Planetavino.com</b> :<i>The best website of Chilean wines</i>.]{{es_icon}} {{Wines}} {{Wine by country}} [[Category:Chilean wine| ]] [[af:Wynbou in Chili]] [[de:Weinbau in Chile]] [[es:Vino chileno]] [[fr:Viticulture au Chili]] [[nl:Chili (wijnbouwland)]] [[no:Chilensk vin]] [[sv:Chilenska viner]]