Maipo Valley is one of Chile's most important wine-producing regions. Located just South of the capital, Central-valley/maipo-valley/santiago">Santiago, Maipo Valley is home to some of the country's most prestigious wines. It is often described as the 'Bordeaux of South America', and Rich, fruit-driven Cabernet Sauvignon is undoubtedly its most celebrated wine style.
Maipo is at the very Northern end of Chile's extensive Central Valley, running from just north of the Rapel Valley up to where the countryside begins to give way to houses and roads in the southern suburbs of Santiago.
The Coastal Range separates the area from the Pacific coast, and on the eastern side, the Andes Mountains rise suddenly and dramatically, separating Maipo from the Argentinean region of Mendoza.
The Maipo Valley is the home of viticulture in Chile. The first vines were Planted around Santiago at the city's birth in the 1540s, but it wasn't until the 1800s that viticulture began to expand significantly, as an indirect result of entrepreneurial Chileans growing rich from the Mineral wealth found in the Atacama Desert to the north. It became fashionable for these wealthy individuals to travel to France, and they inevitably returned home with vines to plant in their New, French-influenced wine estates.
The vineyards of Cousino Macul, Concha Y Toro and Santa Rita were developed during this period, and they remain today important names in the Chilean wine industry.
The region can be roughly separated into three broad areas: Alto Maipo, Central Maipo and Maipo Bajo.
The vineyards of Alto Maipo (or Upper Maipo) run along the eastern edge of the Andes Mountains, where they benefit from altitudes of 1300-2500ft (400-760m) above sea level. At this height, Warm sun during the day is followed by colder nights, which slow ripening.
red wines from the region of Maipo Valley go well with generally quite well with dishes of beef, veal or game (deer, venison) such as recipes of beef coarse salt, blanquette of veal or veal head with vinaigrette.
On the nose in the region of Maipo Valley often reveals types of flavors of blackberry, dark fruit or citrus fruit and sometimes also flavors of tree fruit, vegetal or microbio. In the mouth in the region of Maipo Valley is a powerful with a lot of tannins present in the mouth.
César Giron, CEO of GH Mumm, paid tribute to Laurent Fresnet in a statement issued by the house: ‘Acknowledged by all for his authenticity, his generosity, his kindness and his communicative energy, Laurent Fresnet was beloved by everyone. He brought to Mumm his passion for wine, his affection for the terroir and his vision of excellence. He added an important chapter to the history of the house.’ Fresnet grew up in the Champagne village of Sillery, on the northern face of the Montagne de Reims. ...
Jestin said he has decided to retire after 35 years of helping to develop Maison Dourthe and Bordeaux in general – from exploring new vineyard management and winemaking techniques to promoting wines on the international stage. ‘Although no longer involved in the day-to-day side of the business, rest assured that I will continue to support the company as both stakeholder and trustee,’ he said. Dourthe, founded in 1840, has owned fifth growth estate Château Belgrave since 1979 but also has several ...
A trade deal signed by the UK and New Zealand this week promises benefits for winemakers, merchants and drinkers, according to industry bodies. Miles Beale, CEO of the UK Wine & Spirit Trade Association (WSTA), said the deal means the country’s wine lovers ‘will have greater choice’. He said it was also ‘a very good deal for the wine and spirit industry’. New Zealand Winegrowers, representing the country’s wine sector, also welcomed the free trade deal, which was signed in London yesterday ( ...
