From the Atacama to Patagonia: Discovering Chile's Wine Diversity
DO System since 1995
Three climate designations
First vines planted
Bordeaux varieties arrive
Modern era begins
Casablanca pioneered
Rediscovered variety
Seña, Almaviva launch
Independent movement
Old vines, minimal intervention
Desert viticulture at its extreme
High altitude desert valley with intense sunlight and dramatic diurnal temperature variation. Traditionally Pisco production, now discovering wine potential.
Cool climate from coastal fog (Camanchaca). Limestone and clay soils unique in Chile. Morning fog, afternoon sun creates ideal conditions.
From mountain peaks to coastal fog
Hot inland valley perfect for Cabernet Sauvignon. Home to Chile's first icon wine (Seña). Mountain influence from highest peaks outside Himalayas.
Chile's cool-climate white wine capital. Cool coastal valley with morning fog and afternoon breezes. Pioneered in 1980s for white wines.
Chile's coolest regions, just 4km from Pacific. Granite soils, intense maritime influence.
Chile's wine heartland
Santiago's home valley and Chile's most famous Cabernet region. Three zones: Alto (mountain), Central, and Coastal. Red clay and alluvial soils.
Warm, prestigious valley known for powerful reds. Apalta is the superstar sub-zone. Mix of valley floor and hillside sites producing Chile's most celebrated wines.
Chile's largest and oldest region. Home to ancient País and Carignan vines. Dry-farmed bush vines. Center of natural wine movement.
Carmenère paradise with Peumo as the star sub-zone
The renaissance frontier
Cool, rainy, granite soils. Ancient vines (100+ years). Traditionally bulk wine, now Chile's most exciting region for natural wines.
Chile's coolest regions with volcanic soils and high rainfall
From signature Carmenère to reborn País
Chile's signature grape, rediscovered in 1994. Late-ripening Bordeaux variety thought extinct, found mixed in "Merlot" vineyards. Green when unripe, chocolatey and spicy when ripe.
The mission grape reborn
Maule's treasure
The ethereal red
Key Regions: Casablanca, San Antonio, Leyda
Style: Fresh, mineral, food-friendly
Trend: Elegance over power
Future: Site-specific wines
Mission: Artisanal, terroir-driven wines
Impact: Changed Chilean wine perception
Methods: Native yeasts, minimal SO2, old vines
Regions: Maule, Itata, Bío Bío
Chile's first growth equivalents with international recognition
La mesa chilena - where Pacific seafood meets Andean wines
| Spanish Term | English | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Viñedo/Viña | Vineyard | Grape growing property |
| Bodega | Winery | Wine production facility |
| Cosecha | Harvest/Vintage | Year of harvest |
| Cepa | Grape variety | Type of grape |
| Mezcla/Assemblage | Blend | Mixed varieties |
| Envejecido en barricas | Barrel-aged | Oak aging |
| Gran Reserva | Gran Reserva | Min 12.5% alcohol |
| Costa | Coast | Coastal zone designation |
| Andes | Andes | Mountain zone |
| Valle | Valley | Wine region |
2018: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Cool, elegant, balanced wines
2019: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Dry, concentrated, powerful
2020: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Covid vintage but good quality
2021: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Outstanding - cool, balanced
2022: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Good quality, fresh wines
2023: ⭐⭐⭐ Challenging with rain
| Style | Region | Specific Bottle | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sparkling | Various | Valdivieso Blanc de Blancs Brut | $12 |
| Crisp White | Casablanca | Casas del Bosque Sauvignon Blanc | $11 |
| Mineral White | Limarí | Tabalí "Pedregoso" Chardonnay | $18 |
| Aromatic White | Bío Bío | Cono Sur "Bicicleta" Gewürztraminer | $8 |
| Rosé | Various | Santa Rita "120" Rosé | $8 |
| Light Red | Itata | De Martino "Viejas Tinajas" Cinsault | $18 |
| Medium Red | Maule | Garage Wine Co. Carignan | $16 |
| Classic Red | Maipo | Cousiño Macul "Antiguas Reservas" | $15 |
| Bold Red | Colchagua | Montes "Classic" Cabernet | $9 |
| Carmenère | Cachapoal | Viñedos Marchigüe Carmenère | $11 |
| Natural | Maule | Bouchon "País Salvaje" | $13 |
| Icon Splurge | Maipo | Concha y Toro "Don Melchor" | $100 |