Fine Wines of Chile
What are the fine wines of Chile? - Premium Region InFocus
Since the modern boom in the 1990s the Chilean vineyard have nearly tripled. Exports have grown exponentially, while local consumption continues to decrease. Chile is well known for its consistent quality in the low-end of the market, but it doesn’t stop there. The premium wines are increasingly diverse and more vibrant than ever, as shown by international awards and comparative tastings.
The geographical spread of the Chilean vineyard is a staggering 3795 kilometres from north to south. Most vineyards are still planted on the valley floor of the vast Central Valley, but premium wine producers are increasingly looking elsewhere. A driving force for this development is the terroir-consultant Pedro Parra that has recommended several leading wineries to plant on rockier soils, rather than the deep alluvial ones.
What’s new in Chile
In 2018 Eduardo Chadwick (of Errázuriz, Seña and Viñedo Chadwick) was named Decanter Magazine `Man of the Year´, a recognition that has made Chilean premium wines more visible on the world stage than ever before. Despite the rise VINEX has isolated three major trends shaping the landscape of the world’s seventh biggest wine producer.
1. Terroir more important than ever
In 2011 Chile divided the main vineyard areas to the current system we know of today, from west to east. The Costa, Entre Cordilleras and Andes zones has certainly made the Chilean landscape more comprehensible the ever before. But it is only the beginning. The latest development is the matching of variety to specific areas. Cabernet Sauvignon in the Alto Maipo, Carignan in the Maule Valley, Chardonnay in the Aconcagua Costa, Riesling in Bío Bío to name a few. It’s a historical fact that vineyards in Chile used to be planted based on convenience. High yields and proximity to Santiago were the most important aspects. It’s only in the latest 15 years that soil type, aspect and altitude has started to attract the attention it deserves. In our report on Rioja last month we wrote about high altitude vineyards as one of the main trends. In Chile we see much the same, systems of drip irrigation has allowed the Chileans to plant higher than ever. The record in 2018 is held by Viñedos de Alcohuaz with their Elquí Valley vineyards at 2208 meters above sea level.
2. Embracing diversity in premium reds
Since the Berlin tasting of 2004, where 2001 Seña scored higher than 2000 Château Lafite, Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon has been well respected. What’s new is that red wines made from Syrah, Carignan, Carmenère, Cabernet Franc and even Pinot Noir are now fighting with Cabernet Sauvignon for the spotlight. The influence that Parker and Rolland had on Chilean fine-wine production in the late 90s is less noted today. Among Chiles finest red wines we have Carignan from Maule, Carmenère from Maipo, Cinsault from Itata and Malbec from Apalta. This was not the case 10 years ago. The true trend-setters of this development is the Chileans themselves. Winemakers such as Ricardo Baettig (working with Eduardo Chadwick) and Marcelo Retamal (De Martino, Viñedos de Alcohuaz) are setting the course of the future. Other influential forces in this development are groups of independent producers such as MOVI and Chanchos Deslenguados.
3. A young generation is discovering new regions
Chilean winemakers of today are much younger than before, well-traveledoenologists in their 20s and 30s are increasingly taking over from their older colleagues. One thing that is separating the young generation is where they prefer to source their grapes. While the old generation preferred the country’s middle third, the new is looking further. A lot of the most exiting projects of today are based around the fringes of the country. Either high up in the Andes, or just next to thecool watersof the Pacific Ocean. Notableoenologists to watch are: Cristián Aliaga (William Fèvre), Ricardo Baettig (Morandé), Meinard Bleom (Casas del Bosque),Edgard Carter and Karine Mollenhauer (Carter Mollenhauer), Leonardo Erazo (Rogue Vine), Emily Faulconer (Carmen) to name a few.
Chile – Facts and figures
The 10 most expensive wines in 2018
Almaviva, Casa Silva Altura, Clos Apalta, Don Melchor, Miguel Torres Escaleras de Empedrado, Montes Alpha M, Montes Folly, Santa Carolina Luis Pereira Cabernet Sauvignon, Viñedo Chadwick.
Important producers of “fine wine”
Almaviva, Antiyal, Cousiño Macul, De Martino, Errázuriz, Labertino, Maquis, Matetic, Neyén, Ritual, Undurraga, Ventisquero, Viña Leyda, Viñedo Chadwick, Viñedos de Alcohuaz.
Up and coming producers
Caliterra, Carter Mollenhauer, La Causa, Morandé, Rogue Vine, Julio Bouchon, Casas del Bosque, Viu Manent, San Pedro, MontGras, Carmen, Catrala, Bodegas RE, Maquis, Koyle, Escándalo.
Chiles current vineyard:
Chile is the second biggest producer in South America with 137,374 hectares of vines. The total output is 949 million litres (2017). Cabernet Sauvignon is by far the most planted grape with over 30% of plantations. Sauvignon Blanc follows at slightly over 10%, Merlot and Chardonnay just over 8% each, País, Carmenère and Syrah are roughly the same at around 5-7%. Chile grows 77 different grapes in total. The top ten of Chile’s 350 wineries sell more than 85% of its wine.
Vintage variations:
Commercial wines from the Central Valley ripen well every year, indeed these are among the most consistent wines on the planet. On the fine wine level things are different, with vintage variations that seem to be escalating for every year. 2017 was the hottest vintage of record. while 2016 was wettest (and one of the coolest). If we divide the last 10 years into temperature groups it would look like this: Hot years (2008, 2009, 2012 and 2017). Balanced years (2014, 2015). Cold years (2010, 2011, 2013, 2016).
Further reading:
Chilean Wine – An Illustrated History by Rodrigo Alvarado and Alejandro Hernández (Origo Ediciones)
Descorchados 2018 by Patricio Tapia (Planeta)
Maipo Alto: Un Terroir Privilegiado (Viñas del Maipo Alto)
The Chilean Wine Industry: New International Strategies for 2020 by Christian Felzensztein (Emerald Group Publishing)
Wines of Chile by Hubrecht Duijker (Mitchell Beazley)
