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The Wine Rack

By Suzanne and Parks Hall

Wines from Chile

Chile's wine-making tradition dates back nearly five centuries, when Spanish explorers first brought European grape vines to the New World. Grapes have thrived in Chile's Mediterranean-like climate ever since. They love the rich, sandy soil, the hot days, cool nights and well defined growing seasons. They flourish in an environment surrounded by ocean, desert and mountains.

Like wines from any region, Chilean wines vary in character and quality. In general though, the Cabernet Sauvignons tend to be filled with fruit flavors and have a distinct taste that is slightly different from other Cabernets. Merlots are medium-bodied with some acidity. Chile’s Sauvignon Blancs are marked by fresh flavor and a crisp acidity. The Chardonnays, once marred by an overabundance of oak, have evolved into easy and pleasant to drink light-bodied wines or more full-bodied ones bursting with tropical fruit flavors. Above all, Chilean wines are food wines. While they are good to sip by themselves, they shine on the dinner table.

Not all that long ago wine lovers looking for ready-to-drink, good wines at nearly rock-bottom prices could look south to Chile, for their favorite varietals often priced at less than 10 dollars a bottle. Things have changed in the past ten to 15 years, though. Fewer government restrictions and an influx of investment have paired modern technology with Chile’s long-standing wine-making tradition. Quality has gone up and so have prices. Today Chile’s top wine come with prices of $40 - $50 and up.

But take heart, if you don’t want to regularly spend that kind of money on a bottle of wine (And, we surely don’t!), there are still good Chilean wines available at moderate prices. If you’re unfamiliar with Chilean wines, your best bet is to choose from the well know producers like Concha y Toro, Santa Rita and Casa Lapostolle, Errazuriz and Carmen for reds and Caliterra, Walnut Crest, Concha y Toro and Santa Rita for whites. After trying several, you’ll certainly find a wine you’ll like at a price you’re willing to pay. Here are three we’ve enjoyed.

2001 Concha y Toro Xplorador/Maipo Valley ($7 - $9). This inexpensive Cabernet Sauvignon, is no rambo red, but it’s a good match for grilled burgers and steaks or even a hearty pasta with red sauce. It’s full bodied with lots of berry fruits flavors enhanced by some herbs and chocolate.

2001 Errazuriz Fumé Blanc Casablanca Valley ($10 - $12). This aromatic wine is medium bodied with fig, citrus and straw flavors. It’s a good bet with any white-fleshed fish cooked on the grill. 

2001 Santa Rita Reserva Casablanca Valley Chardonnay ( $11 - $14). This is a dry wine, with light oak and high acidity. It’s citrus flavor with a hint of herbs make it easy to drink with summertime foods, like seafood and chicken salads.           

Image by S. Parks Hall

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