What red wine is from Chile?
There are three chile wine regions in the north: Huasco & Copiapó; Elqui and LImarí. Huasco & Copiapó is the new kid to the winemaking block. Located in Atacama it’s about 340 miles north of Santiago and decidedly cool and coastal! The main varieties planted here are Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir.
Where is the wine country in Chile?
Chile wine country occupies long narrow land on the western coast of South America. The climate of the country is influenced by the Andes to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. Chilean wine regions are located along the 1300 km stretch of land from the Atacama Region in the north to the Bio-Bio in the south.
What kind of wine is made in Chile?
Chilean wine. In the mid-19th century, French wine varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carmenère and Franc were introduced. In the early 1980s, a renaissance began with the introduction of stainless steel fermentation tanks and the use of oak barrels for aging. Wine exports grew very quickly as quality wine production increased.
When is wine harvested in the Andes Mountains?
Harvest typically begins at the end of February for varieties like Chardonnay with some red wine varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon being picked in April and Carmenère sometimes staying on the vine into May. The Andes also provide a ready source of irrigation which was historically done in flood plain style.
Where are Chile’s vineyards located?
Many of Chile’s vineyards are found on flat land within the foothills of the Andes. Chile’s natural boundaries (Pacific Ocean, Andes Mountain, Atacama Desert to the north and Antarctica to the south) has left it relatively isolated from other parts of the world and has served to be beneficial in keeping the phylloxera louse at bay.
What is the western border of Chile’s Andes Valley?
The valley’s western border is the Pacific Ocean, which has a cooling influence over the valley due to the cold Humboldt current that runs along most of Chile’s coastline.