The two heavyweights of South American wine production are undoubtedly Chile and Argentina. The two countries produce the best quality, and largest quantities of wine on the continent. Wine is also produced in smaller quantities in other South American countries such as Brazil and Bolivia, with variable, but improving results.
Argentina and Chile share a long border of 5308 km and are separated by the Andes Mountains has kept them apart. It is these mountains, together with the temperate climate outside of the tropical areas that dominante the continent, that results in great conditions for growing wine. The centres of the Argentinean and Chilean wine industries are around Mendoza and Santiago, respectively, and these cities are the best starting point for tours into wine country.
Argentina and Chile share a long border of 5308 km and are separated by the Andes Mountains has kept them apart. It is these mountains, together with the temperate climate outside of the tropical areas that dominante the continent, that results in great conditions for growing wine. The centres of the Argentinean and Chilean wine industries are around Mendoza and Santiago, respectively, and these cities are the best starting point for tours into wine country.
South American Wine
Argentina, Mendoza and Vendimia
Mendoza is a large city in the western part of central Argentina, near the border with Chile, and has an airport and well served bus station.
It is best to see the wine area on an organized tour from the city. Whilst hiring a car is possible and will allow you to explore independently, driving and wine tasting don’t go well together. The tours of the nearby vineyards are available all year, but the main date on the wine calendar is at the beginning of March when they celebrate the end of the harvest season with a wine festival, known locally as Vendimia. The festival falls on the first Saturday of March, and in 2007 this will be 3rd March. As well as offering a chance to taste plenty of local wine, Vendimia also includes colourful parades and other outdoor performances.
Mendoza is perhaps most famous for the Malbec grape, and Argentina is the world’s largest grower of this particular grape. Other popular red wine grapes grown in the region include Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and many of the wines produced are often blended with the regional star, Malbec. Argentina has long been a large producer of wine, in regards to quantity, and in recent years has been making strides to improve the quality.
Mendoza is a large city in the western part of central Argentina, near the border with Chile, and has an airport and well served bus station.
It is best to see the wine area on an organized tour from the city. Whilst hiring a car is possible and will allow you to explore independently, driving and wine tasting don’t go well together. The tours of the nearby vineyards are available all year, but the main date on the wine calendar is at the beginning of March when they celebrate the end of the harvest season with a wine festival, known locally as Vendimia. The festival falls on the first Saturday of March, and in 2007 this will be 3rd March. As well as offering a chance to taste plenty of local wine, Vendimia also includes colourful parades and other outdoor performances.
Mendoza is perhaps most famous for the Malbec grape, and Argentina is the world’s largest grower of this particular grape. Other popular red wine grapes grown in the region include Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and many of the wines produced are often blended with the regional star, Malbec. Argentina has long been a large producer of wine, in regards to quantity, and in recent years has been making strides to improve the quality.
Maipu is a particularly well-known wine growing region close to Mendoza, and a if you want to visit one of Argentina’s better known and respected wineries, then try Bodega Familia Zuccardi.
Chile
From Chile’s centrally located capital, the traveller has a wealth of options. The inhabitants of the city tend to sway from west to east and back again as the seasons role by as if on a seesaw. During the warm summer months of January and February they gravitate to the western coastal region to cool off by the Pacific Ocean. Then as the weather cools, and the mountain snows arrive, they pass through the city, their homes and their jobs, to head east to the ski resorts in the Andes Mountains. In between times, they undoubtedly fine time to stray south the wine country.
Chile
From Chile’s centrally located capital, the traveller has a wealth of options. The inhabitants of the city tend to sway from west to east and back again as the seasons role by as if on a seesaw. During the warm summer months of January and February they gravitate to the western coastal region to cool off by the Pacific Ocean. Then as the weather cools, and the mountain snows arrive, they pass through the city, their homes and their jobs, to head east to the ski resorts in the Andes Mountains. In between times, they undoubtedly fine time to stray south the wine country.
For those who have visited Brazil, the mere mention of the country evokes memories of vivid images, sounds and flavours, but wine is unlikely to be one of them. Most of Brazil is low-lying tropical areas that are unsuitable for growing vines, and it’s only in certain southern areas where the vineyards can be found. It is unlikely that travellers Brazil even consider visiting the wine areas, but for those who do, head to the southern states of Rio Grande do Sul, and to a lesser extent, Santa Catarina. Like Bolivia it’s a tale of progress, but these aren’t patronising pats on the head; the wines are starting to get noticed. Interestingly for Brazil it’s their white sparkling wine that is getting the most attention, so next anniversary or New Year’s Eve, why not pop open a bottle of Cordelier Espumante Brut instead of the boring old Champagne?
South American Wine Culture
South American Wine Culture
To many of the old world wine experts the phrase ‘South American Wine Culture’ is a contradiction in terms. In much of South America, wine, and to a greater extent Champagne, is seen as a status symbol, and knowledgeable consumers are few and far between. The more ambitious wine producers in the region, therefore, tend to look overseas to the US and Europe to export their finer offerings, and to gain recognition in this international community. The quality in the region as a whole is improving; a combination of increasingly experienced wine producers, modern methods and areas with advantageous growing conditions will certainly strengthen the continent’s standing in the wine world. Salud!
Jon Efferson - 14th April, 2007
Jon Efferson - 14th April, 2007
Whilst many Argentine’s would disagree, it is widely accepted that the more mature wine industry in Chile, produces generally better wines. Their red and white wines compete with the other new world powerhouses, such as the US, Australia and New Zealand. Reds to watch include the well-known Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, as well as the more troublesome Carmenere.
To visit the vineyards there are some organized tours, and from towns south of Santiago, such as Curico, it is possible to take buses out into the nearby wineries. One winery of note is Miguel Torres, which is close to Curico, and is known to be one of the pioneers of wine production in the country. Many of the wineries in the area are relatively small-scale operations, and if you are going to travel to one independently, it is always best to phone ahead.
Other Wine Producers in South America
For the more open minded wine tasters, you might want to drag your spittoon to certain parts of Brazil, Bolivia or Uruguay.
My first ever experience of Bolivian red wine was in a restaurant in La Paz, and to be honest it was a better advert for the countries balsamic vinegar trade, than their wineries. However, undeterred and blinkered by a glowing article I had recently read, I persevered, and headed on to the Tarija Valley in the south east of the country. Whilst the ‘most improved award’ was not an aspiration of any school sportsman; in the world of wine, Bolivia is a proud contender. They have made significant improvements in the quality of wines produced, and the high altitude wineries around the Tarija Valley are where the action is. The enthusiasts in Bolivia claim that the altitude is the key to their success; higher elevation means higher solar radiation, therefore more oxidants and more intense flavours and aromas. This hasn’t got the old world worried yet, but progress is certainly being made. Bolivian varieties to look out for in your local supermarket include the sweet Muscatel and the Cabernet Sauvignon (I’m told ’94 for was a good year!)
To visit the vineyards there are some organized tours, and from towns south of Santiago, such as Curico, it is possible to take buses out into the nearby wineries. One winery of note is Miguel Torres, which is close to Curico, and is known to be one of the pioneers of wine production in the country. Many of the wineries in the area are relatively small-scale operations, and if you are going to travel to one independently, it is always best to phone ahead.
Other Wine Producers in South America
For the more open minded wine tasters, you might want to drag your spittoon to certain parts of Brazil, Bolivia or Uruguay.
My first ever experience of Bolivian red wine was in a restaurant in La Paz, and to be honest it was a better advert for the countries balsamic vinegar trade, than their wineries. However, undeterred and blinkered by a glowing article I had recently read, I persevered, and headed on to the Tarija Valley in the south east of the country. Whilst the ‘most improved award’ was not an aspiration of any school sportsman; in the world of wine, Bolivia is a proud contender. They have made significant improvements in the quality of wines produced, and the high altitude wineries around the Tarija Valley are where the action is. The enthusiasts in Bolivia claim that the altitude is the key to their success; higher elevation means higher solar radiation, therefore more oxidants and more intense flavours and aromas. This hasn’t got the old world worried yet, but progress is certainly being made. Bolivian varieties to look out for in your local supermarket include the sweet Muscatel and the Cabernet Sauvignon (I’m told ’94 for was a good year!)
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