Tarapacá, Chile as a Wine Region
Country: Chile
Chile as a Wine Country
Capital: Santiago
Currency: Chilean Peso
(CHEE-lay)
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Photo of the sun break following morning fog over the vineyards of Veramonte Winery (located in the Casablanca Valley) Long and thin, Chile has a lot of land north to south. The wine region here is a series of districts based near Santiago. The vineyards are protected by the Pacific on the west and the Andes mountains on the east. This could help explain why the climate changes more from east to west than north to south – also why the country has remained phylloxera free. Quite a few wineries in Chile were founded by large French wine companies. Seeing the potential of the country, vineyards were bought and planted by these French folks and the results tell of a smart investment. Some of these wineries include: Los Vascos, Casa Lapostolle and Cousino Macul. And while the inspiration may have been French, but the wines here are quite Chilean. Notable Facts The main regions of Chile include Maipo (pronounced MY-poh), known for reds like Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenere; Casablanca Valley, a region producing delicious Sauvignon Blanc, as well as other whites & some reds; Colchaugua, an inland district creating amazing red wines from Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, particularly in the Apalta sub-region; and Rapel Valley, settled right under Maipo and producing the same red varietals. A couple of smaller regions to watch include Limari and Elqui, two valleys further north, producing some delicious cool-climate Chardonnay and Bio Bio, an area further south, which is also focused on cool-climate varieties. Chilean wines are growing in exports and more consumers are enjoying the delicious values coming from the country. Red wines of the region, though they cannot be generalized, make the whole gamut of wine quality – quaffable to collectible. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot & Carmenere are the main players, though Syrah is also making a splash. Some of the best reds are blends of the above varieties. As for whites, Sauvignon Blanc is typically crisp, herbal and racy, while Chardonnay is richer in style with full-bodied texture and tropical fruit flavors.
Wines from Tarapaca Region
| Wine | £ |
|---|---|
| 2005 Pinot Noir A unique 50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Noir from Chile gives a fine sparkle with lifted cit.. | 10.00 |
| Rose, Casa Rivas, Maipo Valley Universally appealing Chilean Cabernet rose, brimming with succulent, juicy, ripe red frui.. | 6.50 |
| 2006 Chardonnay Reserva, Casa Rivas A lavish step up in quality from our regulation Casa Rivas Chardonnay. Rich and weighty ye.. | 8.75 |
| 2007 Carmenere Casa Rivas Maipo Valley, Chile A full, spicy edged mouthfull from this Carmenere, the adopted grape of Chile. The latest .. | 6.50 |
| 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Casa Rivas Grilled steaks are the way forward with this generous, velvety, blackcurrant-scented South.. | 6.50 |
| 2007 Chardonnay Maria Pinto Reserva, Casa Rivas A lavish step up in quality from our regulation Casa Rivas Chardonnay. Rich and weighty ye.. | 8.75 |
| 2006 Casa Rivas Cabernet Sauvignon Maria Pinto Reserva Grilled steaks are the way forward with this generous, velvety, blackcurrant-scented South.. | 8.75 |
| 2008 Casa Rivas Sauvignon, Maipo Valley, Chile Fresh as a just-snapped pea, this crisp, citrus zesty Chilean Sauvignon is perfect with lo.. | 6.50 |
| 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, Casa Rivas Grilled steaks are the way forward with this generous, velvety, blackcurrant-scented South.. | 6.50 |
| 2007 Merlot, Casa Rivas Soft, rich, vivacious plummy fruit in this South American Merlot for midweek drinking with.. | 6.50 |
| 2008 Casa Rivas, Chardonnay Expensive-tasting, elegant, spicy Chilean Chardonnay that'll stand up to scrutiny at swish.. | 6.50 |
| 2008 Carmenere Casa Rivas, Maipo Valley, A full, spicy edged mouthfull from this Carmenere, the adopted grape of Chile. The latest .. | 6.50 |
| 2008 Sauvignon Blanc, Casa Rivas, Maipo Valley Fresh as a just-snapped pea, this crisp, citrus zesty Chilean Sauvignon is perfect with lo.. | 3.50 |
| 2007 Sauvignon Blanc 'Maria Pinto' Reserva, Casa Rivas, Maipo Valley, Chile A lavish step up in quality from Casa Riva's benchmark Sauvignon. This is rich, weighty an.. | 14.50 |
| 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, Casa Rivas, Maipo Valley Fresh as a just-snapped pea, this crisp, citrus zesty Chilean Sauvignon is perfect with lo.. | 3.50 |
| 2008 Chardonnay, Maria Pinto Reserva, Casa Rivas A lavish step up in quality from our regulation Casa Rivas Chardonnay. Rich and weighty ye.. | 8.75 |
| 2009 Casa Rivas, Chardonnay Expensive-tasting, elegant, spicy Chilean Chardonnay made at century-old Vina Tarapaca. Th.. | 6.50 |
| 2009 Casa Rivas Sauvignon Blanc, Maipo Valley, Chile Fresh as a just-snapped pea, this crisp, citrus zesty Chilean Sauvignon is perfect with lo.. | 6.50 |
| 2008 Merlot, Maria Pinto Reserva, Casa Rivas, Maipo Valley, Rare roast beef deserves the company of this high-calibre Chilean Merlot, with its rich, v.. | 8.75 |
| 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, Casa Rivas Grilled steaks are the way forward with this generous, velvety, blackcurrant-scented South.. | 6.50 |
Hotels in Chile
| Hotel | £ |
|---|---|
| Versalles Suites Exclusive building with 17 floors, 45 apartments, 3 per floor, with one and two bedroom.. | 74.00 |
| Hosteria de la Colina Hosteria de la Colina is located in the Lakes District of Chile, 500 miles south of San.. | 38.00 |
| Robinson Crusoe Inn & Ski Lodge Robinson Crusoe Inn is Valparaisos newest exclusive boutique hotel. On a hillside, over.. | 87.00 |
| Hotel Alcazar Hotel 2 stars, new,only rooms with private bathroom, central heating, tv. cable, Americ.. | 34.00 |
