The Aconcagua Valley is a wine-producing region of Chile, located 100 kilometres (60 miles) North of the capital, Santiago. It was Long thought that this hot, Dry valley was not suitable for growing wine grapes but the quality of the region's modern-day Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot has robustly reversed this opinion.
The Aconcagua Valley is found on the east side of the Aconcagua region, one of Chile's four main producing regions. It takes its name from the eponymous river flowing through it, which in turn is named after the 6,960 meter-high (2,284ft) Mt.
Aconcagua at its eastern end. This is the highest mountain in the Americas and directly contributes to the terroirs found in the valley below.
Measuring around 100km (60 miles) in Length, the valley runs between the slopes of the Andes in the east and the Pacific Ocean in the west. Many wine-growing areas are closely linked to the river and follow its course as it brings fresh meltwater (and mineral-laden silt) down from the Andean peaks provides Vineyard">Vineyard irrigation.
Vineyard altitude in Aconcagua varies from 1,000 meters (3300ft) above sea level in the east to 50m (160ft) in the lower-lying regions in the west.
The soils of the Aconcagua Valley towards the Andean peaks are predominately rocky, providing competition for root systems - a characteristic that is desirable for vigourous varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon. Stones on the surface of the soil prevent sunlight from evaporating moisture – a valued commodity in the hot Climate.
The altitude also creates a distinctive climatic characteristic: as the Warm, dry land of the region heats up during the afternoon, the hot air in the east rises rapidly upwards, sucking in cooler air from the Pacific Ocean to the west.
Originally from Bordeaux, Sauvignon, or Sauvignon Blanc, is reputed to be one of the best French grape varieties for white wine. It is a white grape variety, not to be confused with Sauvignon Gris and its pale yellow color, or with Cabernet Sauvignon which produces red wines. Particularly famous thanks to Sancerre, Sauvignon Blanc is cultivated as far as New Zealand, where it produces great wines whose reputation is well established.
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