Curicó Valley is a wine-producing region in CentralChile, located roughly 115 miles (185km) South of the Chilean capital, Santiago. It is divided into two sub-regions: Teno in the North and Lontue Valley in the south. The Curicó is known for its reliable, good value everyday wines, Particularly the reds made from Cabernet Sauvignon and whites from Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.
Curicó's vineyards are planted with more varieties than anywhere else in Chile.
The first two grapes mentioned above are the most heavily planted, as they were when the region first appeared on the international wine map.
The reds may not consistently rival the best from Maipo, and its Sauvignon Blanc may not quite match the fresh, Complex style found in Casablanca, but the valley is one of Chile's workhorse regions and its output is consistent and reliable.
Curicó Valley growing conditions
With respect to Climate, the eastern part of the valley – closer to the Andes Mountains – is cooler than the western section as it benefits from breezes coming down from the slopes of the Andes. In this way, it differs from regions further north, where the western ends of the valleys, being influenced by the Pacific Ocean, are generally cooler.
In Curicó, however, the hills of the Coastal Ranges dissipate the effect of east–west air movements. The major centers of production and the established high profile wineries (Echeverria, Montes, Viña San Pedro, TTorres and Valdivieso) are located around the cooler eastern towns of Curicó and Molino.
The meltwater rivers Lontue and Teno that Flow through Curicó Valley (before converging to form the Mataquito River) have a significant effect on viticulture here. The region's varied soils are derived from limestone and volcanic rock from the Andes and have been deposited in the valley over time by the rivers (alluvial) as well as by gravity (colluvial).
Cabernet Franc is one of the oldest red grape varieties in Bordeaux. The Libourne region is its terroir where it develops best. The terroirs of Saint-Emilion and Fronsac allow it to mature and develop its best range of aromas. It is also the majority in many blends. The very famous Château Cheval Blanc, for example, uses 60% Cabernet Franc. The wines produced with Cabernet Franc are medium in colour with fine tannins and subtle aromas of small red fruits and spices. When blended with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, it brings complexity and a bouquet of aromas to the wine. It produces fruity wines that can be drunk quite quickly, but whose great vintages can be kept for a long time. It is an earlier grape variety than Cabernet Sauvignon, which means that it is planted as far north as the Loire Valley. In Anjou, it is also used to make sweet rosé wines. Cabernet Franc is now used in some twenty countries in Europe and throughout the world.
red wines from the region of Curico Valley go well with generally quite well with dishes of beef, pasta or veal such as recipes of authentic bolognese sauce (ragù di carne), cannelloni au gratin stuffed with bolognese sauce or piccata with cheese.
On the nose in the region of Curico Valley often reveals types of flavors of blackberry, blueberry or vanilla and sometimes also flavors of black currant, non oak or oak. In the mouth in the region of Curico Valley is a powerful with a nice balance between acidity and tannins.
