Top 100 sweet wines of South
Discover the top 100 best sweet wines of South as well as the best winemakers in the region. Explore the varietals of the sweet wines that are popular of South and the best vintages to taste in this region.
Discovering the wine region of South
Malleco Valley is a Southern wine-growing region in Chile, some 540 kilometers (340 miles) south of the capital, Central-valley/maipo-valley/santiago">Santiago, in the Malleco province. The region is particularly challenging to Grape growers because of its marginal Climate, high rainfall and Short growing season, but the crisp, fresh wines produced here from Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. are beginning to attract international attention.
The wine industry in Malleco Valley is still in its embryonic stages, and there is less than 40 hectares (100 acres) under Vine here.
Most vineyards lie around the town of Traiguén, just south of the Bío Bío Valley; a large portion of these belong to the Viña Aquitania wine estate of Maipo Valley.
The cold climate here approaches the extreme of what is suitable for winemaking, and the relatively short growing season limits what varieties growers are able to Plant in Malleco Valley. The high rainfall – 1300 millimeters (51 inches) a year – is a far cry from the semi-arid Cabernet Sauvignon heartlands in the North of Chile such as Aconcagua or the warmer, drier parts of the Central Valley region, and growers must plan accordingly.
On the positive side vineyards enjoy more hours of sunlight than in more northerly regions, and the nights are considerably cooler than the days.
This diurnal temperature variation slows the ripening period of the grapes, and as a result the wines of Malleco Valley have a fresh, racy Acidity that complements their Varietal character.
Malleco Valley's red clay and sandy soils are volcanic in origin and are reasonably well drained – essential, given the area's high levels of rainfall. The lack of water held in the ground means that the vines have to work harder for hydration, and as a consequence will develop less energy-sapping foliage and lower yields of grapes. The wines produced from these grapes have more-concentrated flavors and excellent structure.
News from the vineyard of South
Scapegrace to build £13m distillery in Central Otago
The Scapegrace team claims it will be New Zealand’s largest ever distillery when it is fully completed in October 2023. It will eventually produce all of Scapegrace’s award-winning gins and vodkas, along with its soon-to-be-released single malt whisky. The company plans to expand into other spirits categories further down the line too. Managing director Daniel McLaughlin said that the climate and water quality in Central Otago – which is famed for its Pinot Noir – make the region ideal for produ ...
Preview: Tesco’s spring/summer tasting
Decanter attended Tesco’s spring/summer 2022 portfolio tasting at the end of April where over 140 wines were on show, 38 of which are new to the range. In anticipation of the full list of top buys, to follow soon, we’ve rounded up a few of our favourites to get you in the mood for spring. Tesco’s wine buying team highlighted 24 wines as their must-try buys, and five of these have featured in our initial spring roundup below. We think they showcase the diversity of the Tesco range and the value t ...
Laggan Bay whisky distillery to open on Islay
Plans have been approved for what will become Islay’s 12th Scotch malt whisky distillery. Laggan Bay is set to be developed by whisky bottlers and brewers The Islay Boys, in association with Ian Macleod Distillers. Argyll and Bute Council has granted planning permission for the distillery, which The Islay Boys said will produce ‘a traditional, double-distillation Islay whisky’, at Glenegedale in Laggan Bay, close to the island’s airport. The new development, on a two-hectare site, will also incl ...