Central Valley

Chile’s Central Valley is, as the name suggests, the heart of the country’s wine production. A 1,000 km long plateau running north to south, the Central Valley is bordered by the Andes Mountain range to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west; topped by the Atacama Desert at the north, and the glaciers and frigid temperatures of Patagonia to the south. Although there are distinct climatic and soil variations throughout the valley, the broader region is a paradise for grapes, which grow well and ripen easy in the Mediterranean climate. The Central Valley comprises various sub-regions that are beginning to produce some really exciting wines: Cachapoal and Colchagua Valleys, Curico, Maule and the Bío-Bío Valley are home to arguably some of the most interesting producers. Carmenère and Pais are Chile’s adopted grape varieties, with the classic French varieties Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Pinot Noir also flourishing. For richer, riper wines, head to the north; for fresh, fine-boned examples, head to the cool south.