Wine Production in Chile

Date: September 28, 2010

About Wines from Chile
Best wine supplier in Philippines discusses wine related topics

Chile underwent a rapid viticultural transformation in the 1990s. There was a large-scale investment from overseas producers that helped this transformation. After a shaky start, when the main concern was to rip out the old “rauli” (mature beech barrels) and replace them with vast stainless steel equipment, people in the wine industry paused to take stock of the situation. They soon realized that to produce outstanding, world-competing wines, more was required. The answer lay in improving the actual quality of the fruit coming into the wineries. Producers needed, literally, to return to their roots. Decades of neglect had left badly tended vines. Concepts, such as vineyard mapping, canopy management and controlled irrigation, were rapidly put into practice. Furthermore, up until recent times, Chilean wine makers had remained firmly entrenched in following traditional French methods of wine production. In the 1990s, however, they started to question and experiment, and from that moment onward, Chile’s wine industry blossomed.

Main Red Grape Varieties

Chile’s thriving wine industry was initially built upon the Cabernet Sauvignon grape although Merlot is now becoming as important. Today, Pinot Noir also is prominent.

Cabernet Sauvignon

The distinctive black currant flavor of the Cabernet Sauvignon grape is often at its most intense in Chilean wines. Some versions also have a hint of tobacco and mint. Nowadays, Cabernet Sauvignon is often blended with other varieties to produce wines of quite dramatic complexity.

Merlot/Carmenère

It is estimated that approximately 60-90% of Chilean Merlot is actually produced from the traditional Bordeaux grape, Carmenère (sometimes referred to as Grande Vidure). In fact, almost all the world’s surviving plantings of Carmenère are in Chile. Styles of Merlot/Carmenère vary from young, fruity quaffing wines to more substantial, rich, oak-aged wines with complex, earthy, smoky flavors.

Pinot Noir

This grape variety is now becoming increasingly widespread. Pinot Noir is capable of producing some exceedingly silky wines with a smooth berry fruit flavor.

Other Reds

Many Chilean producers are currently experimenting with Syrah, Sangiovese, Carignan, Zinfandel, Malbec, and Cabernet Franc with a focus on blending.

Main White Grape Varieties

Chardonnay

The Chardonnay grape produces uncomplicated wines with citrus and tropical fruit flavors.

Sauvignon Blanc

A proportion of Chilean Sauvignon is produced from Sauvignonasse or Sauvignon Vert, which is a variety of lesser distinction; the remainder is made from the true Sauvignon grape. The best Chilean sauvignon comes from the Casablanca Valley. This grape variety has a tangy, natural acidity.

Other Whites

Gewürztraminer, either from Casablanca or Bio-Bio, in the south is capable of producing aromatic, crisp wines of outstanding quality. Sémillon, Viognier, and Riesling are also becoming more commonplace.

Wine Growing Regions

The bulk of the country’s vineyards are located in the Central Valley and its sub-regions (Maipo, Rapel, Curicó and Maule). The Maipo Valley is, by far, the most famous wine growing area of this Central Valley region. Its dominance in Chilean wine history, undoubtedly has more to do with its proximity to the capital, where investment was focused as early as the last century, than superior geographical attributes. To the north is the Aconcagua region, which includes the important Casablanca Valley (the source of several of Chile’s finest white wines). The Southern region includes the Itata and Bio-Bio sub regions.

For all Chilean wine regions, the most significant physical influences are the mountains and rivers. In particular, the region’s position, relative to the Andean and coastal ranges, has a significant impact upon vine growth and development.

Understanding Chilean Wine Labels

Envasado en Origen: Estate Bottled

Viñas Courant: One Year Old

Viñas Special: Two Years Old

Viñas Reserva: Four Years Old

Viñas Reservado: Six Years Old

The Future

Over the past decade or so, Chile’s rise to viticultural prominence has been meteoric. The country has the good fortune of possessing huge vineyards that are free from disease, have much sunshine due to the rain shadow of the Andes, and have natural supplies of irrigation water from those same mountains. The vineyards themselves are now well stocked with an abundance of classic grape varieties, and the investment is paying off. In addition, the new found economic and political stability has strengthened Chile’s position on the international wine market. Every year, there is more investment from overseas producers, and new vineyards are planted.

The wine growers of Chile now need to consolidate. They are already producing wines of quality at both ends of the market. Building on the distinctive character, style, and fruity flavors of the superb wines now emerging from the regions’ vineyards is the best way forward. The vineyards of Chile have been hailed as a “viticultural paradise.” The title, nowadays, is well deserved.

SOURCE: http://www.essortment.com/all/chilewine_rmmn.htm

Clark Wine Center is more than a wine shop to people living in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone. Clark’s wine shop is also a popular venue for parties and family gatherings. Conveniently located on the main highway of Clark Philippines, it is accessible to guests from Manila, Subic, Pampanga, Angeles City and of course those who live and work in Clark. Aside from the 2-storey wine shop which also has a nice roof deck lawn for small party of up to 80 people as well as an indoor wine tasting room which accommodates up to 60 comfortably, this wine store called Clark Wine Center also has one hectare of picnic grounds surrounding it.

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Getting to this wine shop in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Philippines from Manila
Getting to the Clark Wine Center wine shop from Manila is quite simple: after entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway M A Roxas. Clark Wine Center is the stand-along white building on the right, at the corner A Bonifacio Ave. From the Clark International Airport DMIA, ask the taxi to drive towards the entrance of Clark going to Angeles City. From Mimosa, just proceed towards the exit of Clark and this wine shop is on the opposite side of the main road M A Roxas.

Best place to buy wine in Clark Pampanga outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center.

Clark Wine Center
Bldg 6460 Clark Observatory Building
Manuel A. Roxas Highway corner A Bonifacio Ave,
Angeles Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga 2023
0922-870-5173 0917-826-8790 (ask for Ana Fe)

Wine@Yats-International.com

YATS Wine Cellars
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 ask for Rea or Chay