Chile and Argentina share a soaring mountain range.
On the west side of the Andes Mountains, Chile extends more than 2,500 miles along the Pacific Ocean down the southern tip of South America.
On the east side, Argentina covers a huge part of the continent and has a long, winding coastline along the Atlantic Ocean.
The two countries also share something else – a long, fascinating history of making great wines.
Many people know about Argentina’s world-famous, mouthwatering Malbec wines.
As for Chile, it’s best known for its earthy yet elegant Cabernet Sauvignons.
But that’s just the start. There are so many other fantastic red and white wines from both countries.
Recently, I taught a one-night, non-credit wine-tasting class at Holyoke Community College featuring wines from Chile and Argentina. I will be teaching two more wine-tasting classes this fall at HCC. The next one is November 12 and focuses on wines from Spain.
This week, you can learn about the history of winemaking in Chile and Argentina, plus find tasting notes from the class and which wines people liked the most.
Best of all, every wine featured this week costs less than $20 a bottle, including many wines for under $10 a bottle.
Hope you enjoy.
General Information
Argentina by the Numbers
Fifth largest producer of wine in the world.Roughly 538,000 acres of vineyards in the country.Nearly 383 million gallons of wine produced each year.87 percent of wines are red wines.Roughly 1,250 wineries in Argentina.
Most popular grapes
Malbec (red wine grape) – 30 percent of Argentinian wines.Cabernet Sauvignon (red) – 12 percent.Chardonnay (white) – 10 percent.Red blend – 9 percent.Pinot Noir (red) – 8 percent.
Brief timeline history
1556 – Vine cuttings brought from Chile to the Mendoza and San Juan wine regions.1850s – Many European winemakers move to Argentina to escape phylloxera epidemic.1885 – Railroad from Mendoza to Buenos Aires built, making transportation of wine easier.1920s – Wine business expands greatly in Argentina.1930s – Great Depression negatively impacts wine industry in Argentina.1990s – Wine industry takes off again, thanks to focus on quality of wines.
Popular Wine Regions
Mendoza – Largest wine region in country. Roughly 70 percent of wine comes from this region. Famous for its Malbec wines. Smaller Mendoza subregions include Maipu, Lujan de Cuyo and the Uco Valley. Recently, winemakers in Mendoza have been focusing on planting vines at higher altitudes.San Juan – Second largest wine region in Argentina. Hotter and drier than Mendoza region. Produces great Syrah wines.La Rioja – One of the oldest and smallest wine regions in Argentina.Northern Argentina – Includes the Jujuy Region near Bolivia. Some of the highest vineyards in the world.Calchaqui Valley – Produces high-quality wines at high altitude.
Chile by the Numbers
Fourth largest exporter of wine to the US.Roughly 340,000 acres of vineyards in the country.Nearly 341 million gallons of wine produced in Chile each year.Roughly 1,200 wineries in Chile. Majority of wines come from three producers – Concha Y Toro, Santa Rita and San Pedro.
Most Popular Grapes
Cabernet Sauvignon (red wine grape) – 100,000 acresChardonnay (white) – 32,000 acresSauvignon Blanc (white) – 30,000 acresMerlot (red) – 24,000 acresCarmenere (red) – 21,000 acres
Brief Timeline History
1554 – First wine vines planted by Spanish missionaries. Wines used for church services.1641 – Importation of wine from Chile to Spain banned. Resulted in surplus and widespread pisco production.Mid 1800s – Wealthy Chilean landowners begin importing French grape varieties.1980s – Quality of wines improves dramatically, becomes the third largest wine exporter to US.
Popular Wine Regions
Maipo Valley – Located near Santiago, this region is known for its Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carmenere and Chardonnay wines.Colchagua Valley – Located south of Santiago, this region is known for its red wines, especially Carmenere and Cabernet Sauvignons.Elqui Valley – Located north of Santiago near the Atacama Desert, this region is known for its high-quality Syrah wines.Cachapoal Valley – Known for producing elegant wines with mineral-like flavors, especially Carmenere and Cabernet Sauvignons.Curico Valley – Located south of Santiago, this region is best known for good, affordable Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc wines.Wine Tasting NotesChilean Wines
2023 Los Vascos Sauvignon Blanc ($8.99 at Table & Vine in West Springfield) (Tie, Favorite Wine Of Class)
Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Colchagua Valley
Tasting notes: Citrus, fruit-like flavors, including light hints of lemon and grapefruit.
2022 Concha Y Toro Frontera Merlot ($8.99 for 1.5 Liters at Table & Vine) (Tie, Second Favorite Wine)
Grape: Merlot
Region: Central Valley
Tasting notes: Light, fruit-forward wine with cherry notes. Great backyard fire wine.
2021 Root 1 Estate Bottled Cabernet Sauvignon ($10.99 at Table & Vine)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Maipo Valley
Tasting notes: Earthy, light, fruit-forward wine with peppery hints of cherry and cloves.
2021 Terra Noble Azara Gran Reserva Carmenere ($17.99 at Table & Vine) (Tie, Favorite Wine Of Class)
Grape: Carmenere
Region: Maule Valley
Tasting notes: Dark, bold, tannic wine with hints of blackberry on the front of the tongue.
Argentinean Wines
2022 Catena Chardonnay High Mountain Vines ($15.99 at Table & Vine)
Grape: Chardonnay
Region: Mendoza
Tasting notes: Buttery, citrus-like wine with hints of bright lemon.
2023 Callia Bella Syrah Malbec ($7.99 at Table & Vine)
Grape: Syrah, Malbec
Region: Tulum Valley
Tasting notes: Sweeter, fruitier wine with hints of strawberry and jam.
2022 Zuccardi Serie A Malbec ($14.99 at Table & Vine) (Tie, Second Favorite Wine)
Grape: Malbec
Region: Uco Valley, Mendoza
Tasting notes: Meaty, tannic wine with pepper-like hints of wood.
2021 Domaine Bousquet Gran Cabernet Sauvignon ($19.99 at Table & Vine)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Uco Valley, Mendoza
Tasting notes: Light, smooth, fruity wine with long finish and hints of blackberry, cherry and cinnamon.
Cheers!
Wine Press by Ken Ross appears on Masslive.com every Monday and in The Republican’s Weekend section every Thursday.
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Publish date : 2024-10-14 08:01:00
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