Chile is the big success story so far. It’s a land perfect for viticulture. Endless variety of soil, lots of sunshine, minimal rain occurring at the right times or as snow that helps with irrigation in the summer. And, it’s free of disease and appellation laws.
Heavily influenced by the French, its people are committed and passionate about producing wine of great quality at affordable prices … Errazuriz, Terranoble, Santa Digna, Torres, Casillero del Diablo …
And then there is Almaviva that can’t be listed in the same price bracket but it’s not as expensive as some. Almaviva is an incredible wine born from a famous Franco-Chilean relationship between Mouton-Rothschild and Concha y Toro (also producers of Casillero del Diablo). The union set their sights on the perfect, luxury Chilean Bordeaux and oh boy have they succeeded.
Argentina, if it can get its act together, will be the next best thing but only if it can turn its attention from producing quantity to quality. Grown at high altitudes with cool breezes and just enough rain, Malbec and Viognier are two varietals that seem to do well here.
Terrazas de los Andes from the Mendoza region of Argentina are well worth trying. They are the products of a successful liaison between Moet Hennessy Estates and Bodegas Chandon Argentina.
Also try Otra Vida award winning whites and reds.
