The origin of the wine industry in Chile
It was not until the 19th century that Chile tried to develop its wine industry, but it was not until 1947 that the Colchagua Valley (Valley of the Moon) was recognized as a potential wine region.
In 1851 the first records of commercial vineyards were planted by French immigrants, while the first commercial winery was established in 1867 in what is now Curicó. The Chilean wine industry had been cultivated since 1554 and because of this, it is possible to identify several Chilean grape varieties including Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Every year at the Alvaro Villalobos winery, this special conference attracts wine enthusiasts from around the world. The conference has been a South American staple for years and is a great way to learn about wine from those who know it best!
The Colchagua region
If you’re visiting the Colchagua Valley, consider trying a bottle of local Carignan. This wine will give you an idea of the terroir, or “taste of a place.” A bottle without notes on its origin could have been made from grapes grown anywhere in Chile. Wines made with grapes grown in other regions may be quite good as well, but you won’t get that special flavor that comes only from the Colchagua Valley.
Fertile mineral rich terroir
You might not think a region with sandy soil would be ideal for growing grapes, but in Colchagua, the calcium and magnesium that the vines absorb from the sand creates a potent thirst-quencher. Moreover, the soil is high in potassium and nitrogen—essentially forming a slow-release fertilizer—and peppered with organic matter, fungi and bacteria that fortify the vines. These elements are essential to plant nutrition as they take part in several chemical processes within plants. Grapevines especially benefit from minerals as they are not used up as quickly in dry regions like Colchagua Valley.
The oldest producers
One of the things that makes Chile stand out on the world stage is the fact that their wine production dates back nearly 250 years—many of the producers in Colchagua Valley have been in operation for more than 100 years. Producers such as Viña Santa Cruz, Viña Falernia, and Viña Casa Silva were created by 19th century Spanish settlers and are among some of Chile’s most famous producers. The wines from these producers are well known around the world for their exceptional quality, and they continue to produce top-notch Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Malbec and Carménère varietals with more than a century’s worth of experience in growing grapes and making wine.
Export markets
The Colchagua Valley is one of Chile’s biggest wine regions and one of the largest in all of South America. Some 70% of grapes are exported to Europe, mostly Spain, Italy and France, with some wines being used in the renowned brandy collection of Pernod Ricard. The rest goes on to be made into Chilean wines – a mix of old world favourites such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere and Chardonnay along with new world specialities including Pinot Noir, Viognier and Merlot.
