San Antonio Valley is a small wine region in Chile, located near the Pacific coast 80km (50 miles) as the crow flies west of the capital, Central-valley/maipo-valley/santiago">Santiago. A relatively recent addition to the Chilean national Vineyard, the region stands out as being able to produce quality Pinot Noir along with internationally respected white wines, including Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.
The province for which the valley is named surrounds the coastal city of San Antonio, 90km (55 miles) west of central Santiago and just South of Casablanca Valley. Vineyards lie on the rolling hills that characterize the region, often within 32km (20 miles) of the Pacific Ocean that forms San Antonio's western edge.
The overall spread of the region is reasonably large, and distinct sub-regions (if not regions in their own right) exist. The Leyda Valley, for instance, is technically within San Antonio Province.
The same is true of San Rosario Valley, although this is likely as much to do with the petitioning of its major winery, Matetic, than any groundswell or bureaucratic initiative.
As in Casablanca Valley, the viticulture in San Antonio Valley is heavily influenced by the effects of the ocean.
Cool morning mists and spring frosts are more associated with the Napa Valley and Bordeaux than they are with Chilean wine regions, but the cold Humboldt Current, which flows up the west coast of Chile, brings exactly these conditions to San Antonio Valley.
This oceanic influence is largely responsible for making viticulture possible here. The cooler conditions during the day and the significant drop in temperature at night lead to an extended growing season and a slower ripening period, meaning that the San Antonio Valley can produce quality Pinot Noir and Chardonnay balanced in sugar and acids, as well as Aromatic white varieties.
Surprisingly, given this cool Climate, several producers are also putting out well-received examples of Syrah from the region.
Malbec, a high-yielding red grape variety, produces tannic and colourful wines. It is produced in different wine-growing regions and changes its name according to the grape variety. Called Auxerrois in Cahors, Malbec in Bordeaux, it is also known as Côt. 6,000 hectares of the Malbec grape are grown in France (in decline since the 1950s). Malbec is also very successful in Argentina. The country has become the world's leading producer of Malbec and offers wines with great potential.
red wines from the region of San Antonio Valley go well with generally quite well with dishes of beef, veal or game (deer, venison) such as recipes of tanjia, veal breast with new vegetables or adapted vietnamese fondue.
On the nose in the region of San Antonio Valley often reveals types of flavors of cherry, oaky or red fruit and sometimes also flavors of tobacco, strawberries or vanilla. In the mouth in the region of San Antonio Valley is a powerful.
