Wine Regions : Chile
Chile has a long viticultural history for a New World wine region dating to the 16th century when the Spanish
brought Vitis vinifera vines as they colonized the region. In the mid-18th century, French wine varietals
such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot 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. The number of wineries has grown from 12 in 1995 to over 70 in 2005. Chile
is now the fourth largest exporter of wines to the United States. The climate has been described as midway
between that of California and France. The most common grapes are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Carmenère.
Production Districts
- Atacama
- Copiapó Valley
- Huasco Valley
- Coquimbo
- Elqui Valley
- Limarí Valley
- Choapa Valley
- Aconcagua
- Valley of Aconcagua
- Valley of Casablanca
- Valle Central
- Maipo Valley
- Rapel Valley
- Curicó Valley
- Maule Valley
- Southern Chile
