Guide to Wine Podcast: Episode 9

Wine Region Miniseries
Chilean Wine: A Hidden Gem

Air Date: Wednesday, July 19th 2023

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If you've been following my podcast, you might remember my very first tasting was all about Chilean wines. It was a great experience that sparked my interest in exploring different wine regions. So, let's kick off this new miniseries by delving into the region that started it all: Chile! Not only is Chile known for offering excellent value for your money, but it also stands out for its commitment to sustainability. Here's a quick breakdown of what you'll hear on the podcast:

Chilean Wine History

• The first European wines were planted in Chile during the mid-16th century by Spanish missionaries and conquistadors.
• The most important grape brought to Chile was Listan Prieto, which formed the foundation of the entire wine industry in the Americas.
• Despite being founded by the Spanish, the Chilean wine industry experienced more influence from France than Spain.
• Rich Chilean landowners and mining barons planted vineyards with imported French grapes and hired French winemakers.
• France had been hit with phylloxera, a destructive insect, which led many French winemakers to seek opportunities in Chile and other New World regions.

Chilean Wine Economic Revolution

• Chilean wine initially had a reputation for being unexceptional, but political, economic, and social changes in the 1980s brought considerable investment and growth.
• International investors and joint ventures played a significant role in revolutionizing the Chilean wine industry.
• Notable investors and joint ventures included the Torres family from Spain, Rothschilds from Chateau Lafite-Rothschild, and Paul Pontallier of Chateau Margaux.
• Chile went from producing unremarkable table wines to becoming the "Bordeaux of South America" in less than 20 years.

Chilean Geography & Climate (aka Chile's Terroir)

• Chile enjoys ideal growing conditions for grapes, with seclusion provided by the Pacific Ocean, the Andes Mountains, and the Atacama Desert.
• This physical isolation results in few vine diseases or pests, reducing the need for sprays or chemicals in the vineyards.
• Warm, dry, and sunny days, combined with cooling ocean breezes, contribute to a long growing season, ripe grapes, and flavorful wines.
• Chile's wine region is divided into five major denominaciones de origen: Atacama, Coquimbo, Aconcagua, Valle Central, and the Southern Region.
• The Valle Central is where most wine is made and is broken down further into five sub-regions: Maipo, Cachapoal, Colchagua, Curico, and Maule.

Five Wines to Try from Chile

1. Pais: An ancient grape brought to Chile by the Spanish. It is experiencing a revival, offering flavors of sage, cured meat, cherry, and anise. This red wine is lighter bodied and tastes great slightly chilled.
2. Carménère: Mistakenly identified as Merlot for many years, it offers plum, bell pepper, raspberry, and vanilla flavors. It pairs beautifully with grilled steak and peppers.
3. Sauvignon Blanc: Chilean Sauvignon Blancs are zesty and bold, featuring flavors of salinity, lime, bell pepper, and grapefruit. 
4. Cabernet Sauvignon / Bordeaux Blends: Chile's flagship grape variety, producing lighter-colored, fruitier Cabernet Sauvignons with more earthy undertones than those of California or France. Cabernet Sauvignon is also used to make Bordeaux style blends (along with Merlot, Carménère, Petit Verdot, Malbec, and sometimes Syrah). These blends are some of the finest wines in Chile.
5. Chardonnay: Chilean Chardonnays have evolved from inexpensive wines to more refined offerings with flavors of lemon, pineapple, baked peach, and meringue.

Fun Facts

• Chile has been dubbed the "Bordeaux of South America."
• Chile has one of the world's most extensive sustainability accreditation programs, with 80% of its total wine exports certified by the Wines of Chile Sustainability Code.
• Certified sustainable Chilean wines are easily identifiable by a prominent seal on the bottle.
• Chile has the lowest level of per-capita wine consumption among major wine-making regions.
• The wine-growing area of Chile stretches 600 miles north and south of Santiago.
• Chile is home to around 500 active volcanoes.

There you have it! An overview of Chilean wines, from their intriguing history to the unique terroir and the must-try varieties. Chile is truly a wine region that has undergone a remarkable transformation, offering exceptional wines with great value and sustainability.

Want to learn more? Listen to the podcast for more details or book a Private Wine Tasting with me and choose Chilean Wines as your theme!