Chilean Wine

Winemaking was first introduced to Chile by Spanish settlers in the 1500’s, but it wasn’t until the 1980’s that much of the world had their first sips of Chilean wine.  At this time, Chile began exporting its wine reserves after strict trade barriers were lifted that once prevented wines to be released from Chile. Since then, Chile has experience remarkable growth.  In 1984, Chile’s total wine exports amounted to 2%, less than 30 years later they’re currently exporting 70% of their wines, making Chile responsible for roughly 8% of the world’s wine.

Chile is dominated by red wines, accounting for almost three quarters of their total production. The most prominent red wine is Cabernet Sauvignon followed Merlot and, finally, Carmenere, the “lost grape of Bordeaux.” Chile has also received high praise for the production of wines made from Pinot Noir despite the fact the plantings of this grape a relatively small. Chile’s red wines are often Read more »

Mentor for Chilean Wines

ScottJones

I'm a chef, media pro, and former Executive Editor of Time Inc.’s Southern Living. I also write the monthly “Drink Up!” column for Cooking Light, where I recommend $12 & under wines and work to bleed out the winespeak.

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Popular wines made in Chile under $20

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Varietals Produced in Chile View all

  • Sauvignon Blanc

    Sauvignon Blanc is widely grown in California -- at over 15,000 acres, it’s now the third most planted variety -- and...

  • Cabernet Sauvignon

    “King of the Red Wine Grapes.” The colonizer of the vineyards, pushing native wine grapes into its shadows. The Caber...

  • Merlot

    The Occitanian word “merlot” translates to “young blackbird.” An accurate description for this popular, early-budding...

  • Carmenère

    History of the grape: Carmenère was once widely planted in Bordeaux’s Medoc for its deep color and unique gaminess. I...

  • Syrah

    The irony here is that Syrah’s origins could give Carmen Sandiego a run for her international wallet. Syrah’s deepest...

  • Chardonnay

    British wine writer and critic, Jancis Robinson, once noted that throughout the 80’s and 90’s in the United States, C...

Subregions of Chile

  • Aconcagua

    To the north of Santiago is the Aconcagua Valley, a small winegrowing area of just 1,098 hectar...

  • Cachapoal Valley

      Cachapoal Valley is known for its red wines that make up 80% of production. The star varie...

  • Colchagua Valley

    Colchagua Valley is set close to the Coastal Range and to the sea. It is largely recognized as ...

Popular Wineries in Chile View all

  • Sant Ema

    In 1917 a young Pedro Pavone-Voglino left his homeland in Italy’s Piamonte wine region and emb...

  • Casa Silva

    Viña Casa Silva is engaged in a continual quest to produce the best possible wines. The Silva fam...

  • Château Los Boldos [Vina Los Boldos]

    Los Boldos occupies a 250ha site in one of Chile’s finest viticultural areas – Cachapoal Andes...

  • Cousiño-macul

    The Cousiño Macul winery is today governed by the sixth generation, direct descendents of its ...

  • Viña Santa Carolina

    Viña Santa Carolina was founded in 1875 by spirited, Chilean business visionary, Mr. Luis Pere...

  • Vinedos Torreón de Paredes

    Since its founding in 1979 in Rengo, 130 km. south of Santiago, Torreón de Paredes winery has had...

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Chile on Snooth

  • Carta Vieja Carmenere 2010

    Snoothrank:

    nice nose of cherry, plum and spice.... on the palatte offers nice notes of pepper with a decent finish. Read More

    Wine review by mikespeer


  • Veramonte Sauvignon Blanc Reserva 2010

    Snoothrank:

    No written review

    Wine review by BrianWHanes


  • Los Vascos Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

    Snoothrank:

    No written review

    Wine review by BrianWHanes


  • Los Vascos Sauvignon Blanc 2011

    Snoothrank:

    ok Read More

    Wine review by calywa


  • Los Vascos Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

    Snoothrank:

    Nice cabernet at a good price. Read More

    Wine review by calywa


  • Montes Carménère Colchagua Valley Purple Angel 2006

    Snoothrank:

    This wine has been brooding in my cellar for about 4 years and I am not a believer in antipodal wine longevity. Perhaps I should change that opinion for this sanguineous wine is holding strong at age 7 years with notes of cassis on the nose followed by semi-sweet blackberry and bitter almond on the palate. Very mouth filling medicinal and warm... Read More

    Wine review by zufrieden


  • Aromo Estate Bottled Maule Valley 2009

    Snoothrank:

    A bit dank and carob like on the nose with softly vegetal aromas that recall dusty old books along with wet forest floor and a hint of mint. Smooth on entry, yet fairly bright, this shows off a nice blend of herbal red currant fruit and earthy and nutty oak notes in the mouth. There's a bit of vanilla that creeps in on the backend that gives thi... Read More

    Wine review by Gregory Dal Piaz


  • Santa Carolina Carmenere Reserva de Familia 2011

    Snoothrank:

    Spicy on the nose with a nice base of oak joined by aromas of earth, blue fruits violets, green herbs and brambly fruit. Bright and juicy in the mouth, this delivers pretty big flavors of earth, toasty oak, blueberries, sage and cherry fruit. A hint of sweetness adds roundness to the palate which shows fairly soft tannins, though some wood tann... Read More

    Wine review by Gregory Dal Piaz


  • Casa Lapostolle Carmenere 2010

    Snoothrank:

    Very precise and focused on the nose with a fine, sweet herbal edge and some cedar oak hightones framing a core of tomato and currant fruit. Smooth and moderately rich considering its mid-weight size, this covers the palate with chocolate toned plum and red currant fruit. there's a gentle, and slightly creamy, oak note here as this flows to a c... Read More

    Wine review by Gregory Dal Piaz


  • Montes Carménère Colchagua Valley Alpha 2009

    Snoothrank:

    Reticent on the nose with sweet aromas of coffee and cola plus a hint of rhubarb. This gains nice subtle nuance with some air. A bit tightly knit in the mouth, this is not a big wine but it shows a bit of firmness to the tannins. There are nicely layers of flavor here, dried herbs, well judged oak, soft warm red plum and cherry fruit. It's all k... Read More

    Wine review by Gregory Dal Piaz


  • Hey I like this short history on winemaking in Chile. Sauvignon Blanc is one of my favorite types. Check out my profile page, http://www.snooth.com/profiles/largecashloans/, to see more information from me!

    Comment by 1117741largecashloans 1117741 largecashloans


  • Congratulations!! for the apt notes on the great wine country.I had a chance to be with one of their producers in Bahrain,Gulf,and have enjoyed their matured production status.They make wonderful wines and have a long way to go in coming days.Cheers!! Chile!!

    Comment by 1074079Sidd Banerji 1074079 Sidd Banerji


  • New image uploaded to this page.

    Page modification by 56068ganzua 56068 ganzua


  • Has anyone ever heard of this wine..I took this off the label Curioso Garcia, De Chile Merlot San Alfornso Estate Maipo Valley Chile Would love to purchase this in the states, not really concerned with the year

    Comment by 792512Diesel1815 792512 Diesel1815


  • Chile has so much to offer, but you must try the carmenere, affordably priced and crowd pleaser is the Casa Silva Reserva. Always have bottles ready for the friends stopping by, everyone loves it!

    Comment by 742153FamaWine 742153 FamaWine


  • Hi folks: Does anyone know where I can get my hands on a good vintage chart for the Chilean reds in particular? Or, if you happen to be more fsamiliar with the scene: could you hip me to the years to embrace nd those to perhaps avoid? Mucho thanks!

    Comment by 83884ChipDWood 83884 ChipDWood


  • My proposal for Chile is the following: CLOS APALTA - LIMITED EDITION - ESTATE BOTTLED - VIÑEDO APALTA COLCHAGUA - EMBOTELLADO EN ORIGEN - PRODUCIDO Y EMBOTELLADO IN CHILE POR CASA LAPOSTOLLE S.A. EN SANTA CRUZ - COLCHAGUA - CHILE 2007 15 % Clos Apalta proviene de nuestros viñedos no irrigados de más de 60 años de edad, de la zona de Apalt...

    Comment by 707240Sommelier Guglielmo 707240 Sommelier Guglielmo


  • cannot believed you guys dont have Chile in the list of the most popular regions... really?

    Comment by 661031godbriel 661031 godbriel


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