New World Wines
When we talk about New World wines and especially South American wines, Chile and Argentina are the countries that come to mind. Viticulture, as in other South American countries, was introduced by the Spanish when they arrived in the sixteenth century. Successive waves of European immigrants arrived from Italy, Spain, and France during the 19th and 20th centuries. These immigrants brought with them centuries of winemaking experience. They modernized viticulture and developed new winemaking techniques using the European grape varieties that they brought with them as well as discovering local grape varietals.
Chile
The natural terrain of Chile makes it a winemaking paradise. It is the only country that is free of Phylloxera and as a result, the wines that come from the old ungrafted vines express the purest form of terroir possible. The Andes to the east, the Atacama Desert to the north, Patagonia to the south, and the Pacific Ocean's cool breezes are beneficial to viticulture, creating an environment that helps to eradicate pests and vineyard diseases. Chile’s vineyards make up a narrow strip of about 2671 miles from north to south and 217 miles from west to east. The bulk of wine production is concentrated in the south of Santiago, the country's capital. North of Santiago are the Valle de Aconcagua and the Limari Valley. To the south, in the Central Valley region, are located the best-known sub-regions such as Maipo, Cachapoal, Colchaguá, Curicó, and the Maule Valley. Further south, are the Itata and Bio Bio Valleys. Cabernet Sauvignon is the most widely planted grape variety in Chile, however, Carménère is the country's signature grape variety. Mistakenly thought to be Merlot, the varietal arrived in Chile late in the 19th century from Bordeaux. Carménère has charmed wine lovers around the globe, the sunshine in the warmer areas of Chile creates charming red wines that are extraordinary.
Argentina
Argentina is the largest wine producer in South America and ranks fifth in the world. Its vineyards produce internationally recognized wines mostly found along the slopes of the Andes mountain range, stretching from north to south. There are 1320 wineries, and 400 of these wineries export wines of international quality. Wine has been declared by a government decree as Argentina's national drink. The country even celebrates Malbec, something that no other country has done. There is even an international Malbec day which celebrates the day that Argentinian President Domingo Faustino Sarmiento decided that it was his responsibility to transform Argentina’s wine industry. He asked Michel Aimé Pouget a renowned French ampelographer and agronomist involved with viticulture research projects in South America during the 19th century to come to Argentina to conduct viticultural experiments and recommend the best French grape varietals for the country. Among the grapes that Pouget brought was Malbec.
Argentina is divided into four major wine regions: Northern, Oceanic, Cuyo, and Patagonia. These regions are subdivided into twelve wine regions (Jujuy, Salta, Catamarca, Tucumán, La Rioja, San Juan, Mendoza, La Pampa, Neuquén, Río Negro, Chubut, Buenos-Aires). The dominant wine-growing regions are Mendoza (395 acres), San Juan (123 acres), and La Rioja (21 acres).
There are over 160 grape varietals planted in Argentina. Originally from Cahors in southwest France, Malbec is predominant accounting for 38% of all red varietals, or approximately 43,000 hectares, with Bonarda 15%, Cabernet Sauvignon 12%, Syrah 10%, Merlot 4%, and Pinot Noir 1%. Pedro Gimenez 27%, Torrontés 22%, Chardonnay 16%, Muscat of Alexandra 6%, and Sauvignon Blanc 5% are the predominant white grapes. Though limited, there is an emerging production of excellent sparkling wines.
A large percentage of wines from both countries are exported around the world. The main markets are China, South Korea, Japan, Scandinavia, and Great Britain. Both of these countries with their breathtaking landscapes and extraordinary wines should be explored, either in person or through a bottle of wine.