Chile

Moai on Easter Island, Chile

At more than 2,500 miles long and an average of just 110 miles wide, Chile has an enviable geographic and climatic diversity perfect for interesting and varied grape-growing. Bordered by the Atacama Dessert to the north, the Andes Mountains to the east, the Patagonian ice fields to the south and the Pacific Ocean to the west Chile is a veritable agricultural island. Famously phylloxera free for its entire wine-producing history, Chile’s dry summers invariably yield exceptionally healthy grapes, and the best of the country’s forward-looking winemakers are turning these into higher quality and better value-for-money wines.

Chile has five principle wine-producing regions: Atacama; Aconcagua; Coquimbo; Central Valley and Southern Chile with each having their own unique sub-regions. Traditionally, most of Chile’s wine production has come from the Central Valley region, which includes the famous Maipo region. It is here where Chile's most important red grape variety, Cabernet Sauvignon, produces some of the country’s finest elegant and concentrated wines and some very good Bordeaux blends. In addition to the popular Cabernet and Merlot grape varieties Chile is now beginning to gain a reputation for juicy but elegant Pinot Noirs and rich, stylish Syrahs.

Chardonnay is the most popular white grape variety, and performs particularly well in the cooler regions of the Casablanca and San Antonio valleys. The “genuine” Sauvignon Blanc grape is now finally starting to show its true potential after a replanting programme replaced its lower-quality Sauvignonasse imitator. The best expressions offer styles somewhere between the grassy herbaceous Sancerres of the Loire and the piercing, tropical fruit intensity of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. Additional white varietals that are worth seeking out include Riesling, Gewürztraminer and Viognier.

A unique point of difference open to Chilean wine producers is the capacity to exploit the red grape variety Carménère. Originally, a Bordeaux variety (where it has virtually died out now), Carménère was discovered in Chile masquerading as Merlot. A pure, ungrafted variety of impeccable breeding, Carménère has the potential to fly the flag for Chilean wines and remain unchallenged (as yet!) by major plantings anywhere else in the world.

Since 1995 the wine-producing regions of Chile have been officially defined with a Denomination de Origen to help identify the difference in wines produced in different parts of Chile’s variable geography. This has been redefined in recent years to include geographical east/west labelling: Costa (Coastal); Entre Cordilleras (Between Mountains) and Andes. These winemaking laws dictate that varietal labelled wines must contain 85% of the grape variety listed on the label as well as at least 85% from the stated vintage year and from the region of origin. Minimum alcohol levels must be 11.5% abv. or 12% for Reserva or Reserva Especial level wines. Gran Reserva or Reserva Privada must be a minimum of 12.5% abv. in addition to been aged in oak.

 

Pedro Parra 'Trane' Cinsault 2021
Pedro Parra 'Trane' Cinsault 2021

From £40.00

An elegant and juicy 'premier cru' Cinsault with soft tannins & vibrant acidity...Read More...
Viña VIK 'Omega' Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Viña VIK 'Omega' Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

From £25.00

Perfectly balanced Cabernet blend with notes of dark fruits, strawberry & hints of spice...Read More...
Viña VIK Stonevik 2023
Viña VIK Stonevik 2023

£160.00

VIK's Stonevik is the ultimate natural wine, created in nature by nature...Read More...
Viña VIK 'Omega' Carménère 2022
Viña VIK 'Omega' Carménère 2022

From £25.00

An elegant & precise red wine blend that showcases the amazing personality of Carménère...Read More...
VIK 2019
VIK 2019

From £135.00

A remarkable, visionary Bordeaux style blend & ideal for collectors of great wines...Read More...
Morandé Sauvignon Blanc Gran Reserva 2023
Morandé Sauvignon Blanc Gran Reserva 2023

From £12.50

Great value, award-winning Sauvignon Blanc Gran Reserva from Chile's Casablanca Valley...Read More...
Errazuriz La Cumbre Syrah 2019
Errazuriz La Cumbre Syrah 2019

From £35.00

Lush, juicy & mouth filling, multi-award winning flagship Syrah from Errazuriz...Read More...
Morandé Vitis Única Pinot Noir 2023
Morandé Vitis Única Pinot Noir 2023

From £15.00

Award winning Pinot Noir from the Casablanca Valley that is complex, fresh & elegant...Read More...
Rocas de Seña 2020
Rocas de Seña 2020

From £53.00

The second wine of Seña is a unique wine, smooth in texture & a long juicy finish...Read More...
Matetic Corralillo Garnacha 2021
Matetic Corralillo Garnacha 2021

From £17.75

A fresh, elegant & juicy Grenache from Chile's biodynamic star winery, Matetic...Read More...
Montes Alpha Chardonnay 2021
Montes Alpha Chardonnay 2021

From £17.75

A juicy, fresh and textured Casablanca Chardonnay from leading Chilean producer Montes...Read More...
Los Camachos Single-Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021
Los Camachos Single-Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021

From £12.00

A refined & refreshing Pinot Noir with succulent cherry fruit flavours & silky tannins...Read More...
Viña La Ronciere Licantén Merlot 2018
Viña La Ronciere Licantén Merlot 2018

From £15.00

A complex & mellow Merlot from the unique Licantén sub-region of the Curicó Valley...Read More...
Matetic Corralillo Riesling 2022
Matetic Corralillo Riesling 2022

From £14.50

This organic & biodynamic Chilean Riesling displays great aromatic intensity and freshness...Read More...
Caliterra Merlot Reserva 2022
Caliterra Merlot Reserva 2022

From £11.00

A smooth, rich, full-bodied delight with soft spices and velvety tannins...Read More...
Viña von Siebenthal Carmenère 2020
Viña von Siebenthal Carmenère 2020

From £22.00

An intense, complex & concentrated expression of Carmenère cultivated using organic principles...Read More...
Los Vascos Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Los Vascos Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

From £12.50

Plump, juicy & approachable a brilliant Chilean Cabernet with Lafite's sense of elegance...Read More...
LE DIX de Los Vascos 2018
LE DIX de Los Vascos 2018

From £45.00

The 'Grand Cuvée' of Lafite Rothschild's Chilean venture shows exceptional complexity, balance & elegance...Read More...
Escudo Rojo Origine 2018
Escudo Rojo Origine 2018

From £25.50

Classy Cabernet Sauvignon from the Chilean outpost of Baron Philippe de Rothschild...Read More...
Errazuriz Las Pizarras Pinot Noir 2017
Errazuriz Las Pizarras Pinot Noir 2017

From £64.00

One of Chile's greatest wines inspired by the finest Grands Crus of Burgundy...Read More...
Montes Classic Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Montes Classic Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

From £12.50

The entry point Cabernet Sauvignon from Montes offers outstanding quality for the price...Read More...
Viñedo Chadwick 2016
Viñedo Chadwick 2016

£320.00

The ultimate Chilean expression of Cabernet Sauvignon - Elegant, rich, complex, layered, fresh & tasty...Read More...
Seña 2016
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Seña 2016

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Iconic Bordeaux blend that's regularly benchmarked alongside 1st Growths & other top Cabernets...Read More...
Los Vascos Cromas Cabernet Sauvignon Gran Reserva 2019
Los Vascos Cromas Cabernet Sauvignon Gran Reserva 2019

From £18.00

Lafite Rothschild's Los Vascos Gran Reserva is a reference for the elegance & finesse of Chile...Read More...