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.
Sémillon blanc is a grape variety that originated in France (Bordeaux). It produces a variety of grape specially used for wine making. It is rare to find this grape to eat on our tables. Note that this grape variety can also be used for the elaboration of eaux de vie. This variety of vine is characterized by large bunches of grapes, and grapes of large size. Sémillon Blanc can be found in several vineyards: South-West, Languedoc & Roussillon, Cognac, Bordeaux, Armagnac, Provence & Corsica, Loire Valley, Rhone Valley, Savoie & Bugey, Beaujolais.
white wines from the region of San Antonio Valley go well with generally quite well with dishes of pork, game (deer, venison) or shellfish such as recipes of italian pasta, boar in civet or scallops with cream.
On the nose in the region of San Antonio Valley often reveals types of flavors of citrus fruit, black fruit or microbio and sometimes also flavors of earth, lime or green apple. In the mouth in the region of San Antonio Valley is a powerful with a nice freshness.
Whenever I visit Domaine Richaud, just outside the village of Cairanne, the winemaking team remind me of friends I made at free parties in the 1990s in fields and disused warehouses. I’m not talking dreadlocks and dogs on strings, but there’s always an anarchic frisson in the air. You get the impression they know how to enjoy themselves. Perhaps it’s to be expected, given the radical furrow Marcel Richaud has ploughed. He’s approaching 70 now, but still thrums with pent-up energy, his ice-blue e ...
Sequence from the video « At the heart of the Mâcon terroir » which offer a stroll at the heart of the Mâcon terroir. It offers a focus on Mâcon-Chardonnay, one of the 27 geographical denominations of the Mâcon appellation. Travel through the terroirs of the Mâcon appellation by watching the full video : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GF20y1aBZh8 Both are available in French and English. Our social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BourgogneWines Twitter: https://twitter.com/Bourgogne ...
The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) has appointed Michelle Brampton as its new CEO. Brampton will join WSET on 1 February as CEO designate and will spend two months working alongside current CEO Ian Harris, who steps down on 15 April. Bringing with her a wealth of experience, Brampton previously spent 19 years at Treasury Wine Estates (TWE), where she most recently held the role of MD Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) from 2018 to 2021. Brampton was also on the boards of both The Dr ...
