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Travel across the ocean: discovering Chilean wines
Chilean wines in comparison with the legendary varieties of the Old World are considered quite young. The foundations of winemaking in Chile were laid by the Spaniards in the XVI century. In the second half of the XIX century, Chilean wines only appeared in Europe. The vineyards of the Old World were destroyed by the phylloxera epidemic, and the demand for Chilean wines increased. Around the same time, French winemakers came to Chile in search of new lands, at the same time taking with them a few French vines. The Chileans achieved real recognition relatively recently, only in the 90s of the twentieth century. Inexpensive, bright and clear wines win admirers all over the world, and their quality only gets better from year to year.
Central Valley: wine from the heart of Chile
There is no strict classification of Chilean wines. Conventionally, they can be divided according to the wine regions, the oldest of which is the Central Valley. The climatic conditions here are perfect for growing Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. Local red wines of the highest quality are distinguished by a well-balanced taste with juicy berry accents and a pleasant aftertaste. A classic addition to them is red meat, bolognese pasta and mature cheeses. The “chardonnay” grapes produce wonderful white wines with intriguing notes of tropical fruits. Their soft refreshing taste is best felt in a duet with fish, seafood and poultry. The rating of Chilean wines, popular in the country, includes drinks from the brand variety “Carmener”. They are characterized by a delicate taste with dominant tones of ripe berries. Grilled meat snacks, especially homemade sausages, are in harmony with these wines.
Aconcagua: rubies in a glass
A little to the north is the fertile region of Aconcagua with the Casablanca Valley. It is believed that it is here that the best Chilean red wine is born. It fascinates with a fresh, soft taste with a slight bitterness and an exciting aroma of sweet spices. Combined with feathered game and grilled salmon, these wines best reveal a lush bouquet. Special attention should be paid to red wines from the varieties “Carmener” and “Shiraz”. They have a whimsical berry-coffee taste with hints of freshly ground pepper. Grilled meat, risotto and cheeses with mold will successfully emphasize the refined bouquet. Local white wines will also appeal to gourmets. They are mainly made from the varieties “Chardonnay” and “Sauvignon Blanc”. The dense fruit taste gives off mineral notes and citrus nuances. Seafood with cream sauce and white meat dishes — this is a harmonious pair for such drinks.
Southern region: between the sun and the ocean
The vineyards of the Southern region are close to the French climate conditions. Therefore, the local varieties “Sauvignon Blanc”, “chardonnay” and “Riesling” meet high standards. The brands of Chilean white wines originally from here are considered to be among the best in the country. They are remembered for their expressive deep taste with fruity tones and light hints of vanilla. These wines are perfectly combined with seafood and fruit desserts. Local red wines are not inferior to white ones. Selected varieties of Pinot noir grapes give them a soft, refined taste, in which floral and berry motifs are guessed. They reveal the bouquet most vividly along with meat steaks, spaghetti and hard cheeses. We should also mention the red Chilean wines from the Bio-Bio sub-region, located near the ocean. They contain notes of wild berries, ripe fruits and spicy nuances. These are universal wines that are suitable for meat, fish, vegetables and desserts.
Coquimbo: the restrained charm of the North
The northernmost wine region of Chile is Coquimbo. Of particular interest to wine lovers is the Elki Valley. It is here that excellent white Chilean wines are produced. They are united by a bright rich bouquet, attractive fruit shades and a long aftertaste. This wine is served chilled as an aperitif or combined with oysters and mussels. Dry red wines of Coquimbo have earned high ratings from experts. The rich taste pulsates with attractive berry accents and refined smoky notes. A good addition to these wines will be roasted game and mature cheeses. Lovers of red wines will surely enjoy the noble drinks from the Limari Valley. They will delight you with a perfectly balanced bouquet, a pleasant texture and an elegant aftertaste. Raw smoked sausages, feathered game and goat cheese are the perfect choice for such wines.
Atacama: wines with a harsh temper
Atacama is one of the five most important wine regions of Chile, despite the fact that it is located near the desert of the same name. First of all, the region is famous for the grape vodka pisco from muscat. It also produces some of the best Chilean wines based on table grapes. Their pleasant invigorating taste with honey and floral notes turns into a persistent sweet aftertaste. A win — win choice for such drinks is fresh fruit and desserts with their participation. Red semi-dry wines are distinguished by an intense berry taste, velvety structure and light spicy nuances. They go well with fried poultry, lasagna, and soft cheeses. Very interesting are the rose wines from the grapes “Cabernet Sauvignon” and “syrah”. They are characterized by juicy berry accents and a long-lasting aftertaste. As a rule, they are served as an aperitif or in combination with ripe fruit and a sponge cake.
The question of how to choose Chilean wines can be studied for a very long time. In any case, you will find a lot of pleasant discoveries that you can enjoy yourself and share them with those you love.
See also:
Wine Guide to Spain
Exploring the wine list of Italy
France-the wine treasury of the world