Chile has diverse wine growing regions due to its proximity to both the Andes Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. The mountain and ocean influence provides high diurnal temperature variations that are beneficial for grape growing. Chile has a variety of soil types and over 1287 km of prime vineyard land spanning from the Elqui Valley in the north all the way to the Bío Bío Valley in the south. Popular varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc which thrive in Chile's diverse climates and soils. Specific regions such as Casablanca, Limarí, and Colchagua are emerging as areas producing high quality wines from certain varieties.

1. Introduction to Chilean
Wines
Jane Nisbet Huseby
Chief Editor Wine Source Chile
Visit www.winesourcechile.com

2. Chile: Land of Diversity & Quality

3. Chile: A country of climatic extremes

4. Close to the mountains and close to the sea”
- Never further than 2 hours from each other

5. How the proximity of the mountains and
sea effects the wines
Pacific Ocean Andes Mountain Range
While the sun matures the grapes, the coolness maintains the acidity in the grapes
which is essential to maintain the freshness (juiciness) and character of the wines.

6. How does this differ from say Italy,
France or Spain?
1. High diurnal temperature difference
(day and night temperature)
Why?
• Closeness to the high
mountains
• Closeness to the sea
2. Intensity of the sunlight and
clearness of the skies
3. Very rare to have any rain at all in the
growing season, therefore irrigation
is essential*
The “Mediterranean” Climate of Chile
Chile has a mediterranean climate: cold, wet winters, followed by long dry
summers with glorious sunshine

7. A wine production area longer than the
length of Italy
Area: 756,950 sq.km
Length: 4,270 km (wine area: 1,287 km)
Width: 356 km
Area: 301,230 sq.km
Length: 1,185 km
Width: 381 km
Area: 337,030 sq.km
Length: 1,160 km
Width: 356 km
Norway is the longest country in Europe: 1,752 km
(Maps from www.mapsofworld.com)

8. Los Angeles
Elqui Valley
Limarí Valley
Choapa Valley
Aconcagua Valley
Maipo Valley
Casablanca Valley
San Antonio Valley
Cachapoal Valley
Talca
Curicó
Santa Cruz
San Antonio
Valparaíso
San Felipe
La Serena
Rancagua
SANTIAGO
Chillán
Angol
Concepción
Curicó Valley
Maule Valley
Itata Valley
Colchagua Valley
Bío Bío Valley
Malleco Valley
Elqui River
Limarí River
Choapa River
Illapel River
Aconcagua River
Maipo River
Cachapoal River
Tinguiririca River
Mataquito River
Teno River
Lontué River
Maule River
Itata River
Bío Bío River
Bío Bío River
ARGENTINA
PACIFIC OCEAN
ARGENTINA
Rapel River
Chile: Land of Diversity
- 1287 km of wine growing area (30% of total length of country)
Elqui Valley
Limarí Valley
Choapa Valley
Aconcagua Valley
Maipo Valley
Casablanca Valley
San Antonio Valley
Cachapoal Valley
Curicó
Santa Cruz
San Antonio
Valparaíso
San Felipe
La Serena
Rancagua
SANTIAGO
Curicó Valley
Colchagua Valley
Elqui River
Limarí River
Choapa River
Illapel River
Aconcagua River
Maipo River
Cachapoal River
Tinguiririca River
Mataquito River
Teno River
ARGENTINA
PACIFIC OCEAN
Rapel River
Los Angeles
Elqui Valley
Limarí Valley
Choapa Valley
Aconcagua Valley
Maipo Valley
Casablanca Valley
San Antonio Valley
Cachapoal Valley
Talca
Curicó
Santa Cruz
San Antonio
Valparaíso
San Felipe
La Serena
Rancagua
SANTIAGO
Chillán
Angol
Concepción
Curicó Valley
Maule Valley
Itata Valley
Colchagua Valley
Bío Bío Valley
Malleco Valley
Elqui River
Limarí River
Choapa River
Illapel River
Aconcagua River
Maipo River
Cachapoal River
Tinguiririca River
Mataquito River
Teno River
Lontué River
Maule River
Itata River
Bío Bío River
Bío Bío River
ARGENTINA
PACIFIC OCEAN
ARGENTINA
Rapel River
Source: Wines of Chile

9. Chile: Varieties that love Chile!
Cabernet Sauvignon
Carmenere
Petit Verdot
Semillion
Viognier
Carignan
Cabernet Franc
Sauvignon Blanc
Chardonnay
Riesling
Pinot Noir
Syrah
Cool coastal or
near mountains
Warmer areas

10. Healthy Soils offer excellent organic
production possibilities
• FREE from phylloxera
• Excellent conditions for organic and biodynamic management

11. A wide range of Soil types
• Alluvial soils with glacial deposits
• Old river beds
• Granite soils
• Limestone and calcerous soils
• Limestone and clay
• Volcanic soils

12. Chile: Re-exploring the map
To the North and East of Santiago
Elqui: syrah on granite and quartz at 2000 m.
Unique clarity of air and sunlight
Limari: Chardonnay on calcerous soils
Pinot Noir on Limestone, Syrah
Aconcagua: Carmenere, Cabernet Sauvignon
and Petit Verdot (alluvial and colluvial with high
stone conent) Aconcagua costal areas are
being developed for white varieties
Casablanca: known for whites, in particular
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot and some
Syrah. 4 distinctive terroir zones. Sauvignon
Blanc looking promsing from the coolest zone.
San Antonio/Leyda: calcerous soils,
Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling and
Pinot Noir
Elqui Valley
Limarí Valley
Choapa Valley
Aconcagua Valley
Maipo Valley
Casablanca Valley
San Antonio Valley
Cachapoal Valley
San Antonio
Valparaíso
San Felipe
La Serena
Rancagua
SANTIAGO
Elqui River
Limarí River
Choapa River
Illapel River
Aconcagua River
Maipo River
Cachapoal River
ARGENTINA
PACIFIC OCEAN
Rapel River
Specific areas and valleys are emerging with outstanding qualities of wines
and varieties

13. Chile: Re-exploring the map
Near Santiago and to the South
Maipo: alluvial soils and old river beds – classic for
Cabernet Sauvignon. Syrah planted on slopes
Cachapoal: Carmenere, Cabernet sauvignon, (and
Cabernet Franc). Carmenere exceptional on
colluvial/alluvial soils near the river.
Colchagua: Carmenere, Cabernet Sauvignon,
Syrah on slopes, Pinot Noir in cooler areas. Costa
colchagua showing promising results for white wines.
Curico: Old vine Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere.
Costal areas showing some promising results for
white wines
Maule: Carignan (VIGNO), Cabernet Franc,
Cabernet Sauvignon.
Bio Bio: Riesling and aromatic white wines, Pinot
Noir. Late harvet wines.
Los Angeles
Aconcagua Valley
Maipo Valley
Casablanca Valley
San Antonio Valley
Cachapoal Valley
Talca
Curicó
Santa Cruz
San Antonio
Valparaíso
San Felipe
Rancagua
SANTIAGO
Chillán
Angol
Concepción
Curicó Valley
Maule Valley
Itata Valley
Colchagua Valley
Bío Bío Valley
Malleco Valley
Choapa River
Illapel River
Aconcagua River
Maipo River
Cachapoal River
Tinguiririca River
Mataquito River
Teno River
Lontué River
Maule River
Itata River
Bío Bío River
Bío Bío River
ARGENTINA
PACIFIC OCEAN
ARGENTINA
Rapel River

14. Thank you!
Learn more about Chilean wines and
vineyards, and follow my wine reviews!
www.winesourcechile.com
Wine Source Chile
janenisbethuseby@winesourcechile