Like many other wine countries in the New World, Chile developed its talent for oenology late. However, the excellent local varietals of Spanish and international varieties have allowed this country to emerge, especially in recent years, with whites and reds of excellent organoleptic expression.

Here is a guide to Chilean red and white wines, including characteristics and food pairings!

Unmissable Chilean red wines and what to accompany them with

Chile's diverse climate and environment create the perfect conditions for the birth of excellent wines, including fruity, full-bodied reds that get the best out of the most popular grapes: Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenère, one of Chile's iconic grape varieties.

'Pionero' Carmenère 2019

A review of unmissable Chilean red wines could only begin with a label produced from its most relevant grape variety, Carmenère, once French and now naturalised Chilean. In the 2019 'Pionero' Carmenère is used in purity, resulting in an organoleptic bouquet with great personality, characterised by notes of black fruit - with blackberry in the foreground - herbs and cinnamon.

The intense purplish-red colour seems to anticipate the racy character that is then perceived on the palate, with a medium-bodied sip and a taste that is fruity and spicy. The tannins are harmonious, not intrusive, while a touch of freshness is communicated by the acidic tip on the palate.

The best pairings are those typical of intense reds, i.e. meat dishes. It is possible to range between beef, pork and chicken - with a preference, however, for red meat - but this wine is especially surprising with a rich barbecue, whose bitterish tones it can support very well.

'Cota 500' Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

Another very important grape variety in Chilean oenology is Cabernet Sauvignon, which is cultivated in most of the country's wine regions. In this case - in a bottle of 'Cota 500' Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 - this variety is used in a considerable percentage, along with small parts of Syrah and Carignan. The result is a structured, full-bodied red wine that stands out in the glass with its elegant ruby red colour.

The fruity identity is what you immediately notice as you approach the nose to the glass, amid hints of red fruits and a light spicy note that tickles the nose in a pleasant way. On the palate, the tannins make themselves felt, but are softened by a refreshing note that immediately invites you to take a second sip, especially when the right courses arrive on the table.

A classic aperitif dish stands out: a rich board of medium-aged cheeses, such as the inevitable Cheddar or some Double Gloucester spread on bread and croutons. Simple, but delicious!

The best Chilean white wines? Here are what they are and how to pair them

The centrality of international grape varieties - especially those of French origin - can also be seen in the large production of white Chilean wines, which conquer the market with their ever-present Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.

Ventisquero Sauvignon Blanc Reserva 2021

There are some simple food pairings and others that give you a hard time. Among the most complicated recipes to pair with a wine are the spicy and piquant ones, typical of ethnic cuisine. However, there are wines that seem to be made especially to create the right combination with these intense flavours. The Ventisquero Sauvignon Blanc Reserva 2021 is one of them. Among the best combinations of food and Chilean wines of this style are dishes such as Chicken Tikka Masala, Chilli, Tandoori Chicken or Balti Curry, accompanied by naan or simple white rice.

This wine - the result of the pure vinification of Sauvignon Blanc in the Casablanca area - surprises the palate with its lively and refreshing notes, due firstly to the citrus scents of lime and grapefruit, with some sweeter hints of exotic fruit and pear. Floral aromas and mineral sensations follow, anticipating an acidic sip that almost seems to suggest a kind of fizz.

Chardonnay Reserva 'Terrarum' 2023

Those who want to taste one of the best Chilean wines should not miss the Chardonnay Reserva 'Terrarum' 2023, a must-have when the intention is to have a carefree aperitif with friends or family.

The watchword is indeed lightness. A lightness anticipated by its delicate straw-yellow colour, suggested by the aromas of citrus fruits and fresh pineapple, as well as its medium structure and fresh taste that caresses the palate, accompanying every dish with great harmony.

Elegant and versatile, this 100% Chardonnay wine goes perfectly with seafood appetisers or finger food, from fish tempura to crab cakes, from mixed seafood salad to grilled scallops. It also goes well with vegetable pies, which can be enjoyed in many different variations!

History of Viticulture in Chile

While in many countries of the Mediterranean area the official birth of viticulture dates back to the classical age - first initiated by the Italic peoples and later enhanced by the Greeks and Romans - in the New World the timeframe is longer. In fact, the grapevine arrived in Chile no earlier than the middle of the 16th century, by the Spanish conquistadors.

To avoid competition with Spanish wine, strict restrictions were imposed on local crops, but the 19th century represented a sort of golden age for viticulture in Chile, for two main reasons: on the one hand, the import of many international varieties favoured a new oenology. On the other, the absence of phylloxera in Chile kept production high while the rest of Europe was on its knees.

Another setback was the alcohol law of 1938, but the recovery of the 1970s allowed Chile to carve out an important - albeit belated - place in the world wine scene.

Chilean wines: terroir, grape varieties and production areas

The credit for the success of Chilean wines is due both to the winegrowers' commitment to creating quality wines, and to the country's heterogeneous and favourable terroir, which gives rise to deep, multifaceted red wines and aromatic, refreshing whites, depending on the climatic and geological conditions of its main wine-growing regions:

• Atacama: located in the northernmost part of the country, this region specialises in the production of table wine, as well as a local distillate called Pisco. The climate is hot and dry, characterised by sandy soils and largely desert, which is why most of the crops are located along the coast, cheered by the ocean breeze.
  Atacama is home to Pinot Noir, Syrah, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.

• Coquimbo: a recently developed wine region in the north of Chile focuses on the production of table wine. While the dry temperatures ensure excellent ripening of the grapes, the coolness of the Pacific and the good temperature range between day and night slow it down, creating a good balance. Rainfall is rather scarce, compensated by water from the rivers flowing from the Andes. The soils are mainly rocky, with good drainage capacity.

The area is known for the production of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah and Pinot Noir.

• Aconcagua: hot and dry region between the Andes and the Pacific. It focuses mainly on the production of red wines, with Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir Whites also include Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, typical of the cooler coastal zone.
  The altitude of the vineyards is as high as 1,000 metres above sea level, while the soils are typically sandy.

• Central Valley: Located - as its name suggests - in the central part of the country, this wine-growing area is home to some of Chile's best wines, which in turn is divided into several sub-zones. The credit for its merit lies in the variety of microclimates, mostly belonging to the Mediterranean belt, with hot, dry summers and mild winters. The soils are composed of clay, granite and sand.

The most cultivated wine varieties here are Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Carmenere and Cabernet Sauvignon.

• Southern Region: the wine-growing area in the south of the country - in the Bio-Bio valley - is characterised by a more temperate climate than the other regions, with some windy extremes. Summers are rather rainy, while the sandy and stony soils are rather fertile. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling are widespread here.

• Austral Region: an area mainly dedicated to the production of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, it is characterised by a climate that tends to be cool and rainy, mitigated by the presence of high ground and wooded patches, while the soil is rocky and sandy, with organic deposits that make the soil fertile.

Now that you know what the best Chilean wines are, don't miss the best labels chosen for you by Svinando!