South America / Chile

Chile
When Chile gained independence from Spain, they were free to choose their varietals and in 1830 they imported a full array of Bordeaux vines. Before this they were forced to grow local grapes such as Pais.

Chile has natural borders, Desert in the north, Andes in the east, Pacific ocean and the Humboldt current to the west, and Patagonia in the south

Because of Chile's remote location, and due to their closed borders due the majority of the twentieth century Chile is both phylloxera free, and has noble varieties planted on original root stock.

These varieties include now extinct in Bordeaux varieties of Carmenere and Torrontes.

Carmemere in Chile was thought to be Merlot of a long time, Looks very similar. With the growth of the local wine industry in the 90's more vines were identified. With proper planting and maintenance, it can be much more successful than in Bordeaux.

Merlot likes clay and shade, where Carmenere prefers sandy soil and more light. So with these steps the wines are less vegetal, with more dark tannins, red pepper spice and it ages well.

The white grape of Chile is Torrontes, a grape thought to be in the same family as Malvasia. It is perfumed, with bright fruit and spicy skin tannins.

Torrontes can be used to make Pisco, a distilled alcohol made from grape must. Moscatel is also used in making Pisco. Pisco is the national drink of Chile and Peru.

There are regions in Chile that resemble the climate of Napa. Lots of East-West running valleys, but very little rainfall in the summer, so irrigation is used. Plenty of water from the Andes run off.

Chile also grows other Noble varieties like Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot.

Notable regions
Rapel - Ocean exposure, hot days and cool nights growing sauv blanc and semillion.

Casablanca - newer region, 25 years pioneered for cold costal sauvignon blanc, but its been determined that Chardonnay succeeds. Damp and foggy, high acid and lots of tropical fruit. Usually oaked and without too much malolactic present.

Colchagua - "Napa of Chile", Old vines, Malbec dark fruit and violet.