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When looking for wines with great value for money, South American wines are surely the best choice! It is not until recent years the region has rose to fame, gaining enormous popularity and becoming highly sought after. With a unique terroir, continuously improving winemaking technology and relatively affordable costs, wine lovers are pampered with their relatively affordable yet high-quality collection.
Argentina and Chile are the major wine producing countries in South America . Although the 2 countries are adjacent to each other, their terroir and wine style are indeed a far cry from one another.
Argentine Wine
Argentina is the 5th largest wine producing country in the world. Historically, wines were produced to meet local needs, hence, Argentina had a reputation for low quality jug wine. It is not until 1990s that blooming economy transformed Argentina to a fine wine market. Wineries with quality comparable to traditional winemaking countries flourished and started to export wines, gradually bringing high-quality Argentine wines to the world stage.
Keywords for Argentine Wine: High Altitude, Old Vines
The hot and dry climate in Argentina has posed a great challenge for vine growth, but local winemakers have came up with a brilliant idea by growing vines at a very high altitude, some of which can even reach as high as 5,000 feet above sea level. The higher the altitude, the lower the temperature, ripening period of vines are thus prolonged and would make winemaking impossible. Generally, wine produced at lower altitudes tends to taste more mature; whilst those produced at higher altitudes will be purer and more intense in style, with prominent floral aromas and complex flavours.
Furthermore, most of the best wines in Argentina are made from old vines. They tend to absorb more nutrients due to its low yield, bringing complex flavors to grapes. Therefore, when choosing Argentine wine, vineyard altitude and age of the vines would definitely worth your attention.
Argentina Super Star Grapes: Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Torrontes
Malbec is undoubtedly the most popular grape variety in Argentina. Originated from France then brought to Argentina in the 19th century, it has taken root and flourished in the Mendoza as the “National Grape”. Since then, Mendoza Malbec has become synonymous with Argentine wine in people hearts.
Argentine Malbec possesses a strong and unrestrained aroma of black fruits and flowers. Through winemaking techniques that neutralize tannins and alcohol, wineries could elegantly present the charm of their “National Treasure”. The best is commonly found in high-altitude vineyards mentioned above. Cool weather, great sunshine, and large diurnal temperature variation, all these factors add up and allow Malbec to present in “elegancy in cool”.
The international icon Cabernet Sauvignon also has a very good performance in Argentina. Like Malbec, the Argentine Cabernet Sauvignon has a prominent fruity aroma and delivers a full palate that comes between those from Bordeaux and California’s Napa Valley, slighter fuller than Bordeaux, but more subtle than Napa Valley’s. World-class The international icon Cabernet Sauvignon also has a very good performance in Argentina. Like Malbec, the Argentine Cabernet Sauvignon has a prominent fruity aroma and delivers a full palate that comes between those from Bordeaux and California’s Napa Valley, slighter fuller than Bordeaux, but more subtle than Napa Valley’s. A great example of world-class Cabernet Sauvignon would be Nicolás Catena Zapata, the flagship wine of high-altitude planting pioneer Catena Zapata.
Torrontés is a key player in the white wine production of Argentina. Fresh and enchanting. The unique peach and apricot flavours are soothingly smooth in mouth.
Chilean Wine
Compared to Argentina, Chile enjoys a much more amiable climate. Grapes can grow without climbing an alpine. As the ninth largest wine-producing country in the globe, Chile is blessed with a unique climate and terroir. The long and narrow country is bound by the Andes to the east, Pacific Ocean to the west, and facing Antarctica to the south. The geography creates different terroir for different types of grapes, bringing diversity to Chilean wine. For those who wish to treasure hunt in something economically priced, Chilean wine is where you should look for.
Chile: A Place Let Hundred Grapes Grow
Compared to Argentina, Chile enjoys a much more amiable climate. Nice grapes can grow without climbing an alpine. As the ninth largest wine-producing country in the globe, Chile is blessed with an unique climate and terroir. The long and narrow country is surrounded by the Andes to the east, Pacific Ocean to the west, and facing Antarctica to the south. It brings a variety of climates and create different terroir that is suitable to grow different types of grapes, bringing diversity to Chilean wine. Moreover, as the local land, labor and other winemaking costs are relatively low, price of wines are naturally more affordable. For those who wish to treasure hunt in something economically priced, Chilean wine is where you should search on.
The star variety you wouldn’t want to miss in Chile is Carménère. Like Malbec in Argentina, Carménère is also from France, but set foot in another country. In the 19th century, the outbreak of Phylloxera in Europe has almost wiped out Carménère. Yet, tugged in the middle of oceans, mountains, Antarctica, and deserts, Chile is protected and has never been infested by Phylloxera. The Chilean Carménère is getting more popular in the international market with its rich and unique flavours – ripe and sweet berry flavour intertwining with hints of herbal and spice.
How to choose Chilean wines without falling into pitfalls?
The price of Chilean wines is hard to resist. Yet, with the great offering of Chilean wines, it could be hard to pick the right one. Shop with us and try those from the well-known wineries first, where quality is guaranteed.
Montes is a pioneer in promoting top Chilean wines to the world. Their footprint has set in more than 100 countries, and frequently being featured in high-end restaurants and hotels. Arboleda founded by Eduardo Chadwick, the owner of Vinedo Chadwick and Sena, is another noteworthy brand producing affordable yet high quality wine with blue blood. Its sustainable winemaking philosophy and insistence on producing single varietal wine together create a pure expression of Chilean terroir.
To explore more popular regions and grape varieties, here are something you could look for: Cabernet Sauvignon from Maipo is rich and full in style; Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc from Aconcagua Valley has a unique minerality, with the former showing New World tropical fruit and creamy flavours and the latter showing purity and good acidity. Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenere from Colchagua are great too: its Cabernets are softer and more elegant than Maipo’s and its Carmenere is very popular and have attractive flavours!
Must-known Chile’s Top Wineries
Chile’s Top Wineries 1 / Almaviva
Inspired by “Alama” in Spanish which means soulful and lively, Almaviva is a collaboration between Chilean Concha y Toro and its parent company of French first growth, Château Mouton Rothschild, integrating Bordeaux winemaking into the Chilean terroir. Their vintage 2015 and 2017 have scored a perfect 100-point from James Suckling.
Chile’s Top Wineries 2 / Vinedo Chadwick
Viñedo Chadwick has been making history. Not only its second vintage 2000 defeated Château Lafite Rothschild and Château Margaux at the Berlin Tasting, its 2004 vintage also marked the first ever Chilean wine winning 100 points from James Suckling.
Chile’s Top Wineries 3 / Sena
Seña was a joint hand venture by owner of Chadwick and the legendary California winemaker Robert Mondavi. The authentic Chilean blend made from Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenere is clearly a role model of its fella. It scored more than 90 points from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate for more than a decade of vintages, with 2015 and 2018 also scored 100 points from James Suckling.
Chile’s Top Wineries 4 / Casa Lapostolle (Clos Apalta)
Star winemaker Michel Rolland is the consultant of Casa Lapostolle winery since 1994, committing to create top Chilean wines. Its flagship, Clos Apalta, has been advocating nature and refining Chilean terroir with biodynamics. Its 2005 vintage is the champ in Top 100 Wines of the Year in Wine Spectator. Followed by 2014, 2015 and 2017 vintages scoring 100 points from James Suckling.