Why Chilean Wine is Special

An Exportation Powerhouse
Chile, in many ways, has been the pioneer and the powerhouse of South American wine. For years, Chile was the sole exporter of South American wine until the focus in Chile moved to Argentina, spreading foreign investments and increasing the quality focus in Argentine wine as well. Chile and Argentina are now the two most popular South American wine-producing countries, making a name for themselves on world markets and taking great strides in popularity. Chile still remains ahead of its South American neighbor in exports and has become, since the 80's, the fourth largest exporter of wine to the United States. It has been shifting its focus to other wine consuming countries and has found equal success because of its strong quality and low prices. Chile has emerged as a South American powerhouse of wine exportation and has remained on top of the market since its debut. Simply being a powerhouse in the exportation market makes this the number one reason Chilean wine is so special.

The Lack of Common Wine Diseases
The wine industry, like many other agricultural products are plagued with the problem of disease. For wine, nothing could be worse than the Phylloxera, a sap-sucking insect that specifically attacks grape vines. The wine industry in Europe has a history plagued with encounters of the Phylloxera, and has since developed techniques that protect their vines from the bug. One of these techniques is grafting the rootstock, a process that requires additional time and cost during planting. However, and luckily for Chile, the region is without danger of the Phylloxera, and doesn't need to implement these costly strategies when planting. Winery owners in Chile claim their noninvasive way of growing is reflected in the quality of the wine and makes production costs cheaper, eliminating this costly step. The lack of the Phylloxera and other diseases void in Chile due to regional factors is a perk that Chilean winery owners are more than happy to take advantage of, and is another aspect of Chilean wine which adds to its uniqueness.

Revival of a Lost Grape
The history of Chilean wine owes most of its influences to France obtaining seeds and wine technology from Frenchman early within Chilean wine history. Chile's lack of the dangerous Phylloxera bug, which destroyed thousands of hectares in France also nearly destroyed the Carmenere entirely. The Carmenere is a red grape popular in blends and produces deep reds when bottled separately. The grape was considered nearly extinct but was rediscovered in Chile when wine experts suggested that several of the Merlot varieties were missing key characteristics of the grape. As it turned out, before the epidemic in Europe, cuttings from the Carmenere were imported from Bordeaux and confused with the Malbec upon arrival in Chile. For years the Carmenere was being grown under false pretenses until DNA testing revealed it was the long-lost French grape. Now, the Carmenere is nearly impossible to find in France and grows almost exclusively in Chile and Italy. Not many other wine producing countries can hold claim to reviving a nearly extinct grape, making this yet another reason Chilean wine is so remarkably special.

The Distinct Cabernet
For years, when Chile was climbing the ladder of wine exportation, they focused mainly on common varieties that were reasonably popular. This included mostly Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon red varieties. With their success in exports more solidified, Chile has begun experimenting and developing wines that are more distinct and better characterized for the region. As a result, Chile has developed a Cabernet Sauvignon with a very notable style, with many coming out of Santiago, Chile. The Cabernets coming out of Chile are developed with light tannins and are considered easily drinkable. They most commonly combine flavors that can be described as minty or smoky and wine aficionados are beginning to identify Chilean Cabernets distinctively because of their uniqueness in taste.

Beautiful Country and Variety in Wine
Perhaps the most incredibly special aspect of Chilean wine is the incredible landscape in which it is grown. Regional aspects of Chile afford the country so many unique possibilities when it comes to the cultivation of wine, and in some of the most beautiful and unique landscapes in the world. Tourists travel not only to sample excellent South American varieties from its number one exporter, but also to see and experience what the country has to offer in terms of vacationing. Wine has boosted Chile's tourism and conversely tourism has boosted an interest in Chilean wine. Travelers are enjoying incredible Cabernets, Merlots, the rare Carmenere, Viognier and Sauvignon Blancs when they visit Chilean wineries and are enjoying varietals that are making a name for Chile in every corner of the world. Simply the uniqueness of history and landscape give Chilean wine its most special characteristic.