Diverse Chile

Wine is one of Chile’s leading ambassadors in international markets. It represents the characteristics of Chilean exports, such as quality, safety, geographical diversity and reliability.

The diversity of soils and grape varieties mean that Chile can offer consumers around the world wines to suit every occasion, venue and palate.

Soil & Terroir

With so much geographic variety, the Chilean landscape also offers a vast mosaic of terroirs and soil types.

The soils are healthy, well-drained, and have a variety of origins (alluvial, colluvial, fluvial, etc.) and textures (loam, clay, sand and silt).

Despite the relatively dry atmospheric conditions, abundant water for irrigation flows from the eternal ice caps of the Andes Mountains that tower all along Chile’s eastern border.

Grape Varieties:

Carignan

Grapes from the dry terrain of the Maule Valley. For decades, Carignan was undervalued and seen as a generic variety. It was only in the mid-1990s that the first high-end Carignan wines were bottled. These vineyards are more than 60 years old, dry-farmed and organic. These vineyards are located in amongst the slopes of the Coastal mountain range. The vines are planted in old, poor, very eroded soils of granitic origin. In summer, this area is hot and dry with daytime highs of between 29°C and 32°C. At night, the temperature falls to between 11°C and 13°C. Annual rainfall is 700mm. The resulting wines have 14.8% ABV, a pH of 3.26 and TA of 6.8.

Carménère

The deepest, darkest, purplest of all red grapes needs a long growing season to reach its fullest potential. Rich in berry fruits and spices (such as blackberries and black pepper), with smooth, well-rounded tannins, this is a very pleasing and easy-to-drink variety.

Cabernet Sauvignon

This variety flourishes in vineyards in Aconcagua, Maipo, Cachapoal and Colchagua, where the warm, dry weather enables the grapes to ripen fully, developing aromas and flavours of delicious red fruit, cassis and figs. Cabernet Sauvignon wines from areas like Maipo Alto also have hints of eucalyptus, which lends them freshness. More complex Cabernet Sauvignon wines can reveal notes of tobacco, chocolate, black tea, black olives, liquorice, tar, coffee, graphite, incense and leather.

Merlot

This fruity red with a smooth texture is extremely easy to drink, good with food and versatile, which means it will be around for a long time.

Syrah

This richly pigmented red grape yields inky purplish-red wines that vary greatly in style, depending on where it is grown. In warmer climates, such as Colchagua, the wines are often big, lusty, juicy delights that take centre stage wherever they appear. In cooler climates, such as San Antonio or Elqui, they turn sublimely spicy and complex and often top the lists at international tasting panels. Syrah is also called Shiraz.

Malbec

Malbec is of a deep, dense and dark purple colour. On the nose, it shows aromas of violets and plums with touches of leather and tobacco that can also feature vanilla and cinnamon, depending on its ageing in oak. With lots of juicy fruit on the palate, its tannins are usually gentle and sweet. It has great body and a lush texture, and can be vinified on its own or used in blends.

Pinot Noir

Cool climate areas such as Casablanca, San Antonio and Bío Bío are turning out exciting bottlings that range from simply charming to hauntingly seductive wines.

Cabernet Franc

This French varietal is used primarily used to lend acidity and finesse to fine Bordeaux-style blends.

Sauvignon Blanc

This variety thrives in a cool climate in regions like Casablanca, San Antonio, coastal Aconcagua and Limarí. It is very aromatic with notes of citrus fruit, green apples, pears and pineapple, intermingled with hints of green grass and perhaps a touch of minerality.

Chardonnay

One of the world’s favourite white wines, this variety has proved itself in cool climate areas like Casablanca, San Antonio and now in Limarí, where it acquires a very attractive mineral flavour. It is smooth and well-rounded with moderate acidity and hints of tropical fruits.

Riesling

Interest in this variety has rekindled among some Chilean winemakers. Here Riesling produces wines with more body and alcohol than in Europe, but they retain the variety’s characteristic freshness and spicy nose.

Viognier

Viognier wines are delicious and highly aromatic with pronounced notes of peaches and apricots, sometimes accompanied by aromas of orange blossom and honey. This variety is very new in Chile but the results suggest a promising future. Viognier has another, quite unique property: it helps enhance the colour of the wine when it is fermented with Syrah, a traditional technique that has now been adopted by some Chilean wineries.

Wineries in Chile’s pavilion

Take a look at the catalogue featuring the 45 Chilean wineries that will be in Chile’s pavilion:

Download catalogue