Chilean Wines — The Price Is Right

Many wine enthusiasts do not realize that Chile is one of the top 10 wine producers in the world. Chilean wines are number four in terms of wines imported into the USA, just behind Italy, Australia and France.

The wines of Chile are fast capturing the attention of more American wine drinkers as more of these wines become available, improvements are made to their quality, and they maintain an affordable price range.

Grape vines were first introduced into Chili by the Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century. French varieties are also grown there. The climate in the vineyard areas of Chili is a blend of that of California and France, which makes them ideal for growing grapes. The most common varieties of grapes grown there today include Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Carménère.

Up until the last 25 years, Chilean wines were considered to be poor quality and did not sell well internationally. At that point American and European winery investors moved in and helped Chili improve its wine industry. Part of the problem was the traditional method of aging wines in rauli beechwood barrels, which gave the wine an unusual flavor. Most wineries have since started using French and America oak barrels or stainless steel vats, which has greatly improved the flavor.

Today, over twenty varieties of grapes are grown in Chili. One of the most distinctive wines is their Cabernet Sauvignon. Some varieties of Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Sauvignon blanc were developed by the Chilean wineries to target American wine drinkers.

The Caliterra Cabernet Sauvignon on the market in the USA is about $6 a bottle, and is a great buy. It’s made in a forward, fruity style, but has some backbone and complexity to it. We were not overly impressed with the 2007 Chardonnay vintage, which tasted unusual, with slightly overwhelming vanilla aromas and flavors. We have not yet tried the Sauvignon blanc. Many Chilean wineries seem to do a better job with the Sauvignon grape than they do with the Chardonnay.

Overall, though, Chile seems to excel in red wines, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon. Other low-priced Cabernets to look for: the Santa Rita 120, Concha y Toro, Saint Morillon and Cousino Macul, all of which are in the $5 to $10 range.

For a little more depth and complexity, seek out the Errazuris Panquehue 2004 Cabernet from the Don Maximiano vineyard, which can be found for around $7. It has some herbal components some may not like, but they are balanced by fruit, and the six years of bottle aging has added smoothness.

Chile may be one of the last unexplored frontiers for American wine consumers, which means that prices will undoubtedly begin to rise soon. And that means the country’s bargain status may soon melt away. The next time you are searching for new wine tasting adventures, try a wine from Chile. You will likely be pleasantly surprised with the flavors and the cost is still very affordable.