Limarí Valley is one of the Northernmost winegrowing regions in Chile, located 200 miles (320km) north of the Chilean capital, Santiago. This location places it at a latitude of 30° South, well beyond the latitudes traditionally associated with winegrowing. To provide context, the equivalent parallel in the Northern Hemisphere passes through Egypt, Iraq and northern Mexico. Despite all of this, Limarí Valley is not Chile's most northerly region; a further 50 miles (80km) north Lies the Elqui Valley.
Chardonnay is the star Grape variety in Limari Valley wines, producing wines with a certain minerality thanks to the relatively cool Climate and the limestone content in the soil. Syrah is also successful here, producing savory styles in the cooler, coastal vineyards and fuller, fruit-driven styles in Warmer, inland sites. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot – Chile's most successful varieties also feature, alongside the Chilean signature grape, Carmenère.
Because of its proximity to the equator (not to mention the world's driest desert – the Atacama), the Limarí Valley is hot and relatively Dry.
It is cooler and greener than the land on either side of it, thanks almost entirely to the narrow gap the Limarí River has created in the coastal hills. On either side of this gap, the coastal ranges rise to almost 2300ft (700m), preventing cooling Pacific breezes from reaching inland areas. On summer mornings, the coastal "Camanchaca" fog creeps through the gap and up into the valley. The fog refreshes the local vineyards with cool, moist air for much of the morning, until the sun has risen above the Andes and begins re-establishing the warm, dry, desert-like conditions with which northern Chile is more often associated.
The white Chardonnay is a grape variety that originated in France (Burgundy). It produces a variety of grape specially used for wine making. It is rare to find this grape to eat on our tables. This variety of grape is characterized by small bunches, and small grapes. White Chardonnay can be found in many vineyards: South West, Burgundy, Jura, Languedoc & Roussillon, Cognac, Bordeaux, Beaujolais, Savoie & Bugey, Loire Valley, Champagne, Rhone Valley, Armagnac, Lorraine, Alsace, Provence & Corsica.
white wines from the region of Limarí Valley go well with generally quite well with dishes of pork, rich fish (salmon, tuna etc) or vegetarian such as recipes of beef carrots, avocado and marinated tuna poke bowl or quiche lorraine.
