Overview
Chile is a long, narrow country bordered by the Andes and the Pacific. Cooling influences (Humboldt Current, coastal fog, altitude) enable fresh, high-acidity styles; warm inland valleys yield riper, fuller wines. Producers increasingly spotlight terroir, old vines in the south, and sustainable practices.
At a glance: Value-driven Cabernet Sauvignon and Carménère from the Central Valley; coastal Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay; cool-climate Pinot Noir; heritage País and Muscat in the south.
Key Regions (North → South)
| Region |
Highlights |
Grapes / Styles |
| Elqui & Limarí (North) |
High altitude & coastal influence; limestone pockets |
Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Syrah |
| Aconcagua (incl. Aconcagua Costa) |
Warm inland; cool coastal subsections |
Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah; coastal Pinot/Chardonnay |
| Casablanca & San Antonio/Lo Abarca/Leyda |
Foggy, windy, very cool |
Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir |
| Maipo |
Classic reds near Santiago |
Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux blends |
| Rapel (Colchagua & Cachapoal) |
Reliable ripeness; diverse terroirs |
Carménère, Cabernet, Syrah |
| Curicó & Maule |
Large, varied; source of value and old vines |
Cabernet, País, Carignan (Cariñena) |
| Itata & Bío-Bío |
Granite/slate; bush-trained, dry-farmed old vines |
País, Muscat, Cinsault |
| Malleco |
Coolest south; emerging quality |
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay |
Tip: Many valleys have Andes (east), Entre Cordilleras (central), and Costa (west) designations—useful for comparing altitude and maritime effects.
Grapes & Styles
- Cabernet Sauvignon: Maipo “mint/graphite” profile; structured reds.
- Carménère: Chile’s flagship; ripe black fruit, green spice; excels in Colchagua/Cachapoal.
- Sauvignon Blanc & Chardonnay: Coastal citrus, saline freshness (Casablanca, Leyda).
- Pinot Noir: Best near the coast and far south; red fruit, savory herbs.
- País & Cinsault: Old-vine, lighter styles from Itata/Bío-Bío; often whole-cluster, minimal oak.
- Syrah: Coastal peppery styles; warmer valleys produce riper, plush versions.
- Sparkling & Rosé: Growing category from cool climates.
Maps & Terroir
Use maps to compare latitude, elevation, and proximity to the Pacific. Seek vineyard sheets indicating soil type (granite, limestone, clay), aspect, and diurnal range.
Map tip: Overlay Chile’s latitude with California and France to visualize climate analogues; Chile’s coast is significantly cooled by the Humboldt Current.
Statistics & Trade (What to Look For)
- Production by region/variety; export volumes and top destinations.
- Average bottle prices (domestic vs. export); premiumization trends.
- Organic/sustainable certifications; irrigation and drought reports.
- Vintage summaries (frost, heat spikes, wildfire smoke, rainfall timing).
Databases & Sources (Access via Library)
- Market & Trade: Passport/Euromonitor, Statista, Fitch/BMI, EIU, IBISWorld (if subscribed).
- News: Factiva, Nexis Uni; global/regional wine trade media.
- Scholarly: Web of Science, Scopus, AGRICOLA, CAB Abstracts, Food Science Source.
- Maps/GIS: ArcGIS Living Atlas; FAO GeoNetwork; national cartography portals.
- Standards & Law: Chilean denomination rules (DO), labeling & import/export regulations.
Access note: Some resources require campus IP or SSO. See the library’s databases A–Z for links and access help.
Books & Reports (Selected)
- Reference atlases of world wine (regional maps and climate notes).
- Books on South American viticulture; Chile’s historic País and old vines.
- Government/industry annual reports summarizing harvests and exports.
Articles & Market News (How to Search)
- Combine keywords: Chile AND (Maipo OR Colchagua OR Casablanca) AND (Cabernet OR Carménère).
- Filter by year; track multi-year trends (premiumization, sustainable labels, old vines).
- Compare domestic vs. export coverage to spot pricing gaps and opportunities.
Tasting & Evaluation Checklist
| Aspect |
Look For |
| Appearance |
Color intensity; clarity; bubbles for sparkling. |
| Nose |
Fruit profile (blackcurrant, plum, red cherry); herbal (bay leaf, bell pepper); spice (black pepper); oak cues. |
| Palate |
Acidity (freshness); tannin quality (fine vs. gritty); alcohol balance; body; texture. |
| Finish |
Length and definition; typicity for grape/region. |
| Overall |
Balance, complexity, and age-worthiness; value for price tier. |
How to Cite (Examples)
- APA (webpage): Author. (Year). Title. Site Name. URL
- Chicago (notes): Author, “Title,” Site, Year, URL.
- MLA: Author. “Title.” Site, Year, URL.
Ask a Librarian
Need help finding market data, maps, or full text? Ask the Business Librarian.
If you are off campus, use VPN or SSO to access licensed content.
↑ Back to top
