Top 100 wines of Chile - Page 5

Discover the top 100 best wines of Chile as well as the best winemakers in the region. Explore the varietals of the wines that are popular of Chile and the best vintages to taste in this region.

Discovering the wine region of Chile

Chile is one of the most important wine producing countries in South America. Occupying a thin strip on the west coast of the continent, it is home to a wide range of Terroirs and wine styles. The Chilean wine industry is often associated in export markets with good quality, consistent wines, but some world-class reds are also produced and sell at high prices. For red wines, the first export stalwarts were the France/bordeaux">Bordeaux varieties of Cabernet Grape/sauvignon">Sauvignon and Merlot, Like many New World countries, Chile has adopted an iconic grape variety; here it is Carmenère, once widely grown in Bordeaux.

It was thought to have disappeared as a result of the Phylloxera epidemics in Europe in the 19th century, but it was rediscovered in Chile in the 1990s. Much of this variety was mixed with Merlot plants in the Vineyards; it was often thought that the Carmenère vines were less successful mutations of the former. Once they were identified and the fruit was left an extra week or two on the vine to Fully ripen, Carmenère and single-varietal blends began to spread (NB: this variety is usually spelled Carménère - with two accents - outside Chile). Pinot Noir from cooler regions of Chile is beginning to make an impression, and Syrah is gaining popularity in many regions offering a wide variety of styles.

The distribution of red varieties in Chile also includes Bordeaux players, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec. The importance of the latter has increased in light of Argentina's success with this variety, although plantings in Chile date back to the 19th century. Cinsaut and Carignan join Syrah in the French contingent in the South. White wine plantings are dominated by Chardonnay - also grown in many different macroclimates - which can reach very high levels of quality with prices to match, and Sauvignon Blanc.

Discover the grape variety: Carignan

Mainly cultivated in the Languedoc region, carignan originates from Spain. Because of its very resistant branches, it is often called hardwood. Its bunches are quite large. They are compact and winged with a lignified stalk. The berries are spherical in shape and take on a bluish-black colour. Carignan has a total of 25 approved clones, the best known of which are 274, 65 and 9. The carignan buds at the beginning of June and is protected from spring frosts. It does not reach maturity until the third period. Also, this grape variety needs warmth and sunshine. It appreciates dry and not very fertile soils. Carignan vines can live for more than 100 years. Those that are more than 30 years old produce a better wine. This wine is well coloured. It is generous and powerful at the same time. Pepper, cherry, blackberry, banana, raspberry, almond, prune and violet are some of the aromas that this grape variety gives off.

Food and wine pairing with a wine of Chile

wines from the region of Chile go well with generally quite well with dishes of beef, pork or game (deer, venison) such as recipes of quick and easy monkfish tail, pasta carbonara almost like the real thing or stuffed duck or goose neck.

Organoleptic analysis of wine of Chile

On the nose in the region of Chile often reveals types of flavors of leather, papaya or orange and sometimes also flavors of savory, jalapeno or cigar. In the mouth in the region of Chile is a powerful.

News from the vineyard of Chile

Chinese customs seize over 1,100 bottles of fine wine from Hong Kong

According to China’s General Administration of Customs, the seized goods consisted of more than 1,000 bottles of Penfolds from Australia and over 100 bottles of top-end Bordeaux wine, including first growth labels such as Château Lafite Rothschild and Château Margaux. The Chinese customs authorities discovered the cases of illegally imported bottles by checking the amount of wine declared on the offending company’s documents against the actual number of items being transported. The smuggled good ...

Colombia for wine lovers

Think of Colombia, think of balmy evenings dancing to salsa, fuelled by shots of aguardiente and arepas. But there’s plenty more than the anise-based spirit and cornmeal cakes to sample in the South American country. Chefs have stepped up their game to put gastronomy on the map, with sommeliers and bartenders following suit. Not just appreciating local ingredients and distilling spirits, they also seek out wines from around the world to accompany fine-dining experiences. Their endeavours have pa ...

Amanda Barnes wins Fortnum & Mason award for The South America Wine Guide

Decanter contributor and Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) judge Amanda Barnes has been awarded the Debut Drink Book award in the Fortnum & Mason Food and Drink Awards 2022 for her The South America Wine Guide book. The annual Fortnum & Mason Food and Drink Awards, now in its 10th year, champions the achievements of the UK’s current and emerging writers, editors, publishers, photographers, broadcasters and personalities who ‘encourage us to enjoy, explore, experiment and discover more ab ...