Chilean wines. Variety of varieties and tastes. Reviews, prices. Chilean red dry wine. High quality red and white wines from Chile

• The country is among the top 10 global producers
• Excellent value for money wines
• Wines from all regions of Chile, the Atacama Desert and the Andean foothills
• White, rosé, red, still and sparkling from Chile on sale

Just 20-30 years ago, the Chilean wine region was considered to be “beginners”. Today the country is one of the world's largest wine producers, significantly displacing Old World producers. Exports of Chilean wines have increased more than 20 times since the early 90s of the last century. What is the secret of such rapid growth? The answer is simple: good wine was offered to consumers at a low price. All the most popular varieties - Carmenere, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer - are made in Chile. These wines are of excellent quality, and you can buy them for relatively little money.

The foundations of winemaking in Chile were laid by the Spaniards in the mid-16th century. The first Chilean wine was quite primitive: for sweetness they added boiled grape juice and was used mainly for religious ceremonies. From the beginning of the 19th century, grapevines of popular European varieties began to be imported into the country for cultivation: cabernet sauvignon, sauvignon blanc, merlot, carmenere, etc. This gave a significant impetus to the development of cultural winemaking.

Chilean wine experienced its first surge in global popularity thanks to the phylloxera epidemic, which significantly undermined the vineyards of the Old World at the end of the 19th century. Chile's isolated location and copper-rich soils have protected local vines from disease. World wine exports have increased, which has given the government a reason to develop a “gold mine” by sharply raising taxes on the wine industry. As a result, most winemakers curtailed their activities. The situation was saved by foreign investors and smart government policy.

Climate features have become the key to the high quality of Chilean wines. The country stretches out in a long narrow strip from north to south. To the north is the Atacama Desert, to the west is the Pacific Ocean and coastal hills, and to the east are the high Andes. All this forms a unique terroir, a fertile natural base for the production of varied, bright wines with a clear, open character and a fruity explosion in taste.

Today there are 5 wine regions in Chile: Atacama, Coquimbo, Aconcagua, Valle Central, Region del Sur, each of which is famous for certain varieties of wine.

In the arid Atacama, mainly table grapes are grown. The northernmost and closest to the equator region of Coquimbo successfully produces cabernet sauvignon, merlot and chardonnay wines. Aconcagua is known for its red wines: Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Sangiovese and Zinfandel. The proximity to the ocean and the cooler climate of the Aconcagua and Casablanca subregions provide suitable conditions for the ripening of Chardonnay (80% of the vineyards), as well as Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Sauvignon Blanc.

The oldest and most famous wine region in Chile, Valle Central (the subregions of Rapel, Maipo, Maule and Curico) is an ideal location for the production of Cabernet Sauvignon, the leading variety of Chilean winemaking, as well as Merlot and Carménère. In the cold south, in the Rechion del Sur valley, which is close in climatic conditions to France, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, and Pinot Noir are grown.

Strict classification Chilean wines Dont Have. Typically, manufacturers divide them depending on age: Courant (up to a year), Speral (2-3 years), Reserve (4-5 years), Gran Vino (6 years or more). Since 2011, an alternative classification of Chilean wines has been introduced depending on the climatic zone where the grapes grow. Wines from the coast, characterized by greater acidity and fruitiness, are Costa, balanced wines from vineyards between the mountain ranges - Entre Cordilleras. The most outstanding, elegant and well-structured are the Andas wines, made from grapes ripened in the Andes mountains.

Chile wine - price in WineStyle

Chilean wine can be purchased in WineStyle stores for prices starting from 170 rubles. — that’s how much a miniature 187 ml bottle from the famous manufacturer Concha Y Toro costs. The price of a standard 0.75 liter bottle starts from 236 rubles.

Winemaking in Chile or how Chilean dry red wines are produced

Winemaking in Chile has always been very developed. This is not surprising, because the country is located between the mountains and the ocean, on a narrow strip of land. That is why there are all types of climates here - temperate, Mediterranean, tropical and subtropical.

The unique climatic zone allows you to grow the best grape varieties. Winemaking in Chile dates back to the mid-16th century. Then all believing residents were ordered to collect grapes and produce wine, and since then wine farms have appeared in the country.

However, Chile's own winemaking culture appeared only in 1830, since at that time large landowners began to travel to Europe. It was they who later brought new grape varieties to Chile - Sauvignon, Cabarnet, Merlot and so on. Until that moment, the product produced in Chile was sold there, but after the emergence of new grape varieties, the drink was exported.

Currently, Chilean red dry wine is a serious competitor to European wines. After 1988, Chile can rightfully be considered one of the leaders in the world wine industry.

Wines are mainly produced in the following regions of the country:

• Aconcagua. Wines such as Sauvignon, Cabarnet, Nebbiolo, and Syrah are produced here.
• Casablanca – Pinot Noir, Cabarnet Frant, Sauvignon.
• Maipo - Carmenere, Merlot, Petit, Chardonnay.
• Curico - Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc.
• Itata – Chardonnay, Moscatel, Pais.

Chilean red dry wine – classification of Chilean wines

1. Wines aged up to a year are a chime.

2. Aged for two to three years - speral.

3. Five-year-old wines – reserve.

4. Aged for more than six years - Grand wine.

Chilean red dry wines can usually be classified into the first two categories; they are called variety or table. These wines are made without adding alcohol, so they should be drunk no later than 3 years after production. Reserve and grand wines are aged in oak barrels, and they can be stored in bottles for a very long time. These are predominantly fortified dessert wines with a high content of sugar and alcohol.

Chilean wines are also distinguished by the type of grape, strength, amount of sugar in the composition, and also by place of production. The most prized wines are those produced in the Casablanca region.

Want to try the best wines from South America? Pay attention to drinks from Chile. Each export bottle is checked by a special government commission.

Unique winemaking in Chile

Original and rich taste Chilean wines are determined by the peculiarities of weather conditions and soil composition. In Chile, unlike Europe, there is no concept of terroir. There are conventional production regions here, but winemakers regularly mix berries from different varieties and growing areas.

Of course, we can distinguish the Central Valley and the Southern region. The first terroir, with a traditional Mediterranean climate, produces classic Chilean wines; the second - where the climate is colder and the soil is poor - refined wines with subtle and fresh flavors.

Each bottle of Chilean wine has a production note:

• Vinos de Mesa. The bottle does not indicate the grape variety, harvest year, or region. These are inexpensive table wines that are rarely exported.
• Vinos sin Denomination de Origen. For these wines, the region of production is not controlled, but the grape varieties and years of harvest are indicated.
• Vinos con Denomination de Origin. Drinks of a specific terroir, the exact place of collection and production is indicated. The bottle must indicate which grapes were used and in what quantities; what vintage was collected?

What grapes are used for Chilean wine?

The most popular grape variety in Chile is Carménère. Bright notes of berries and spices appear in the wine, and the taste becomes velvety and tannic. Cabernet Sauvignon imbues the wine with a bright aroma and dense taste. The notes of pepper and oriental spices and the nuances of truffle are well felt.

Rich garnet color and intertwined aroma of cherries and plums with expensive chocolate - this wine is made from Merlot.

Syrah (Shiraz) can be recognized by its notes of blackberry and black pepper, currant jam and licorice sticks. Pinot Noir typically conveys flavors and aromas of raspberries, cherries, delicate violets and rosebuds.

Light wines are made from Sauvignon Blanc (light white wines with herbaceous and fruity notes, very fresh) and Chardonnay, whose main notes are white flowers, vanilla, apples and mild spices.

The real alcoholic pride of the New World. In Chile, wine began to be made back in 1555, during the time of Spanish colonization, and in terms of quality and popularity, it already surpasses many European ones today.

Naturally, it also has its own characteristics, and we want to consider the nuances of its organoleptic properties and compatibility with all kinds of snacks. Let's take a closer look at the best varieties and brands of South America, they are worth our attention.

Before considering taste, color and aroma, we note two key historical fact. First: colonization, because thanks to it, Spanish varieties began to be cultivated in Chile - Muscatel, Mollar, Albillo, Torontel.

Second: the pan-European epidemic of phylloxera in the 19th century, after which the French moved to South America with their already classic ones, and the Germans with theirs.

And on the lands of Patagonia, winemakers found other climatic conditions - quite favorable, but determining certain specific organoleptic properties. Which one? Let's look at it now.

Taste

Chilean wines are generally not as tannic as their European counterparts. In addition, their characteristic varietal taste is less pronounced than that of drinks from the Old World. And the bouquet of Patagonian masterpieces is somewhat simpler, but juicier (which is partly explained by youth), so they also have their admirers.

• Red ones, even dry ones, are the brightest local representatives of the rich spicy and sweet taste achieved through maceration. After a sip, you can feel it for quite a long time, revealing vanilla, plum, and licorice.
• Whites have a relatively rich and complex taste, in which the role of the first violin is usually played by green apples and juicy grapefruits. The background notes are intriguing black currant or delicate peach. The aftertaste is also present, although it is airy and light, but it balances the impression with the sweetness of vanilla and the spiciness of spices.
• Rosé wines from Chile impress with the power of pronounced strawberries and are therefore ideal for connoisseurs of “berryiness” in the bouquet of the drink. There is also a trail of notes juicy fruits– try to catch it, because the aftertaste is the lightest.

Color

All varieties are characterized by a certain oily structure, so almost any drink from Patagonia is at least a little cloudy, although this does not spoil it. A pleasant visual impression is made precisely due to the color, which in white wines begins with pale straw, with light greenish sparkles, and ends with a rich golden color. By the way, the very popular Sunrise brand has a “telling” name precisely because of its full-bodied sunny shade.

The color of the rose starts from pale pink, goes into strawberry-raspberry (the main group) and reaches brick. A slight opacity may be present, the main thing is that the drink always plays beautifully in the glass, especially in the light. But the palette of reds changes from bright strawberry-ruby to deep cherry, almost chocolate-black.

Did you know? The famous blended Aliven Reserva occupies a very special niche. The fact is that it is purple and therefore looks very impressive in a glass. Such an original color comes from a combination of 40% and 60% cabernet sauvignon.

Smell

It is the aroma that is the hallmark of wines from Chile. They are very fragrant and have a truly deep and multifaceted bouquet. Therefore, inhaling with a pause before each sip is mandatory.

Appreciate how rich and at the same time balanced the aroma of the wines is: white dry or semi-sweet from Chile is sure to reveal the aroma of herbs and fruits. Spicy gifts of meadows and fields are intertwined with notes of green apple, peach, and grapefruit. The drydown is vanilla with black currant - both soft and expressive.

Fully enjoy the berry richness of red Chilean wines: feel the background of blackberries, plums, cherries. Notes of black currant will perfectly highlight this richness. Pay tribute to the spicy trail of spices, licorice, the noble astringency of tobacco and the way the smell continues the trends set by the taste. You will be pleasantly surprised by the tenderness of the aroma of rose, in which raspberries, strawberries and cherries create a mesmerizing tandem with floral nuances. You don’t even want to look away from such an elegant bouquet.

Specifics of wine production in Chile

• Varieties are cultivated on mineral, rocky, sandy, clay soils - hence the variety of odors.
• The drinks are not aged after bottling, but are sold immediately. Therefore, almost every wine from Chile, whether red semi-dry or white semi-sweet, is also young, ready to drink and not prone to storage for longer than 2-3 years.
• The vine does not need to be grafted, which reduces the cost of production (about 2 times compared to France).
• On the lands of Patagonia, there is traditionally no such concept as “terroir”, despite a very clear classification (about which below). Therefore, even varieties controlled by origin can be produced in any suitable region of the country.

How to distinguish wine from Chile from a fake

It is enough to be guided general rules adjusted for some nuances:

1. Find the bottling location on the label. Naturally, in the case of the original drink, it is the actual Chilean winery that is indicated and no other.
2. Pay attention to the price - even despite its comparative cheapness, original Chilean wine cannot cost less than 5-7 euros.
3. Check your logo and other branding for consistency. They are located on the glass, cork, label and back label and, if you are not looking at a fake, they must be identical.

How to drink Chilean wines correctly

There are some subtleties, and the first of them is dishes. But since the drink from Chile will almost certainly be young, first of all let it breathe - use. And then pour it, and into wide-necked glasses.

You remember how aromatic these wines are: both dry red and semi-sweet Chilean white are enveloping in aromas. This means you need a container of a suitable shape, capable of fully revealing the rich bouquet and not losing a single note. It will be a wide glass (you can take a station wagon), filled halfway, maximum 2/3.

Please note that this alcohol cannot be specially heated or seriously cooled, otherwise all the juiciness of its taste will disappear. Therefore, when serving, the temperature of white wine should be at 8-9 °C, pink wine should reach 10-11 °C, and red wine should not exceed 12-13 °C.

Then you will be able to feel every fruit and berry note on your tongue, especially if you do not drink, but taste, thoughtfully savoring each sip and taking pauses appropriate to the moment.

What to eat with wines from Chile

The variety of options will completely satisfy even the most sophisticated gourmets:

• Rose will be chic, a classic pairing with soft and delicate cheese. You can also serve it with something sweet, such as a sponge cake for dessert or ripe fruits, such as strawberries or peaches.
• Red semi-sweet wine from Chile, with its berry taste, is pleasant to eat with grilled meat or homemade sausages prepared in the same way. The same carménère, the pride of the country, will either reveal all the advantages of its organoleptic properties in combination with mature cheeses with noble mold or paired with fragrant risotto.
• White semi-sweet varieties and brands are so nice to drink for dessert. That's why best snack to the local muscatel or will become fresh fruits or perhaps even salads made from them.
• White dry, with their tropical notes, are created for fish and seafood. Although there is an alternative to cocktails made from mussels and squid: the bird goes well with local Rieslings and Chardonnay.
• Dry red wine from Chile usually contains savory notes (tobacco or smoke) that need to be developed and emphasized. Mature cheeses and uncooked smoked sausages cope with this task remarkably well. Another cool option is game birds.

Important! The taste of the drinks is bright, but not too varied, so you need to enjoy them with simple food.

Types of Chilean wines

Despite its youth, there are several degrees of aging. Varieties infused for a year receive the Corriente mark, for 2-3 years - Special status, 4-5 years - Reserva title, more than 6 years - Gran Reserva.

There is also a classification by type:

• Dining rooms – Vinos de Mesa, the most affordable, but still quite tasty. Made from grapes of any vintage and place of collection.
• Uncontrolled by origin – Vinos sin Denomination de Origen. They are produced under a specific brand, from berries of a specific variety and year.
• Controlled by origin – Vinos con Denomination de Origen. The best lines and brands with recognizable or even unique organoleptics.

Wine regions of Chile

There are 5 of them in total:

• Atacama, with the valleys of Huasco and Copiapu. A region famous for table wines and (Chilean vodka made from muscatel).
• Aconcagua, with the valley of the same name, as well as the areas of San Antonio and Casablanca. On the sandy and clay soils of the region, both the already mentioned Carmenère and Shiraz, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc are cultivated.
• Coquimbo, with the fertile areas of Limari, Elki, Choapa. The north of the country produces excellent dry wines, both white and red, thanks to the combination of Chile's most mineral and rocky soils with a hot climate.
• Central Valley– the most productive zone of the country. The Mediterranean climate contributes to the prosperity of the areas of Curico, Maipo, Maule, Rapel.
• South Region, with its Itata and Bio-Bio valleys. The birthplace of local and other drinks prepared in cold climates.

It's time to find your favorite wine from Chile: try semi-sweet white, dry red, rose - taste, compare, choose. Just remember that even the most delicious, aromatic and noble alcohol of South America should be enjoyed only in small quantities

Chilean red dry wine has firmly settled in the hearts of lovers of this drink all over the world. Not so long ago, high-quality winemaking was associated only with European countries - France, Italy, Spain. But with the appearance of winemakers from Chile on the world market, many connoisseurs of good wine turned their attention to this Latin American country.

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The Chileans owe the emergence of a winemaking culture in their country to the Spanish conquerors. It was they who brought grapevines to these lands in the 16th century and planted vineyards. Later the French brought it to Chile famous varieties grapes - Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and others.

The territory of Chile stretches from north to south over a distance of more than 4 thousand km. The country has several climatic zones - subtropical, tropical, Mediterranean and temperate. There are all conditions for growing first-class grapes. The soil and climate of the Latin American country give the drink made from traditional grape varieties new shades. They are well known to wine connoisseurs, who unmistakably distinguish Chilean wine from Spanish or French.

The products of European winemakers have a rich bouquet of flavor notes, which are very difficult for a beginner to understand. Each variety of Chilean wine has its own unique characteristic taste and aroma. Therefore, they are considered the most suitable product for beginner tasters who have decided to master the basics of the sommelier profession.

Chilean wine varieties

Chilean winemakers managed to change established ideas about the characteristics of the noble drink. Today, Chile is considered a world authority in the wine industry. Due to low land prices, compared to European countries, excellent Chilean wines are much cheaper.

White Chilean wines contain at least 12% alcohol, and red wines contain at least 11%.

In the hot Chilean climate, the grapes bathe in sunlight and become sweeter. Manufacturers classify products based on age. Young wines up to 1 year old are labeled Corrient, those aged 2 or 3 years are labeled Special, wines aged 4 and 5 years are labeled Reserva, and older wines are labeled Gran Reserva. Reserva can also mean first-class wine material, selective breeding and high quality production. Best wines made in Central Chile.

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It is better to start tasting New World drinks with their typical representative - dry red wine Takun (Takun) made from Carmenere grapes. The drink is rich, dense with a sweetish taste and aroma of black currant, vanilla and tobacco. The capricious variety of French grape Carménère has taken root well in its new homeland and shows excellent winemaking results. The grapes give the drink an almost black color.

Tasting of New World drinks

Another characteristic representative of Chilean winemaking is the dense ruby ​​red wine Escudo Rojo. It will allow you to enjoy the aroma of blackcurrant, blackberry and ripe cherry with tones of licorice and spices. The rich taste is achieved by infusing grape must on the skins (maceration).

Wine lovers will be pleased with the dark ruby ​​blend of Aliwen Cadernet Sauvignon Carmenere Reserva from Cabernet (60%) and Carmenere (40%) varieties. Each variety is fermented separately and, after a maceration process, is aged in oak barrels for 9 months. Only after this the wines are mixed, due to which an optimal balance of taste is achieved. The drink has a deep purple color and a spicy, rich taste with a fruity aftertaste of plum and vanilla.

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Chilean dry white wine Sunrise, made from Sauvignon Blanc grapes, has a complex, rich taste and aroma. This is a light drink with tones of green apple, black currant and ripe grapefruit. It has a light spicy aftertaste.

Chilean dry white wine “Sunrise”

The full-bodied white wine El Toqui will surprise Chardonnay connoisseurs with a pleasant fruity aroma. This is a wonderful buttery aperitif with notes of ripe fruit, peach and vanilla. Elegant and expressive taste will not leave anyone indifferent.

Chardonnay vineyards are located in the Casablanca Valley on the Pacific Coast. Here, the typical heat of Chile is softened by afternoon breezes and morning fogs. Such conditions enable the Chardonnay variety to show all its best qualities.

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Rosé wine Yali Merlot Rose (Yali Merlot Rose) has a pleasant pink hue with purple highlights and will give a buttery strawberry taste with subtle notes of ripe fruit in the aftertaste. The mesmerizing aroma of strawberries, raspberries and ripe cherries will enhance the pleasure of tasting.

Rose wine "Yali Merlot Rose"

Chilean Yali wines take their name from the location of the vineyards. This is a valley and nature reserve in Central Chile. Bright, fresh and balanced drinks are obtained thanks to the unique humid climate of this territory.

The wine is made from the Merlot variety at -13-16°C. Such temperature regime Fermentation allows you to reveal all the aromatic and taste properties of the grapes. After fermentation, the drink is aged on the lees for several months.

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To appreciate the charm of New World drinks, you need to drink wine correctly. Incorrect consumption of divine nectar will not allow you to experience all its splendor.

Proper use of chilli drinks

A wine glass must have a wide neck so as not to hide the aroma of the drink. The contents must not be heated or cooled. To enjoy the bouquet of the product to its fullest, you need to drink it slowly, leaving time for the aftertaste to develop. Only after experiencing the whole range of flavors can you start eating. All Chilean wines have a strong flavor, so they should not be served with fancy dishes.

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