Chilean wine

Chilean viticulture began in 1518, when Spanish missionaries planted grapes in the surrounding San Diego, to provide a Mass in the church to do with wine. 1830 Claude Gay in the French initiative, the Chilean government established the National Agricultural Research Station, after the introduction of a large number of French, Italian grape varieties, to 1850 more than 70 grape varieties. 1851, Silvestre Ochagavia introduction of fine European wine varieties, such as: (Cabernet Sauvignon), (Pinot noir), (Carménère), (Merlot), (Chardonnay), (Sauvignon Blanc), (Semillion), and (Reisling) and so on, creating a new chapter in Chilean winemaking. 1877, as Europe by the phylloxera (Phylloxera) hazards and the lack of supply of wine, Chile began to export wine to Europe.
During World War II until the 1980s, due to heavy exorbitant taxes, the wine industry to be severely restricted, particularly in the 1970s and, during the 1980s, due to declining domestic demand of wine (as well as political instability) , resulting in large areas of vineyards were cut down. In 1980, the grape growing area of ​​only 106,000 hectares, equivalent to 1938 levels over the same period, Chile's population has doubled.
After the 1990s, along with political stability, economic recovery, the wine industry developed steadily. 1990-1993 period, the new grape growing area of ​​10,000 hectares, a large number of modern winemaking technology and equipment to be used, many European, North American investors to enter the Chilean wine industry. Chile's wine industry into the modern stage.
Chile is a long, narrow shape of the country, a bit like the shape of the silkworm, which also makes the country look small but has a cold \ warm \ hot variety of climatic zones, according to the climate of points, three main regions: the north is the world's the driest areas, mostly mountains and desert, produced minerals. Central part of the Mediterranean climate, and wine regions and more in this area. South abundant rainfall, but few people, the island more.
Chile's climate on the photosynthesis of vines of great help at low temperature and gave the vines a good rest, so that the ideal conditions for grape maturation. Color and aroma are perfect. Chilean wine as the summer dry grapes rarely get sick, plus the natural environment, rarely grape viruses. Such a good planting environment, are very rare in the world.
 Chile South America's second largest wine producing countries, production second only to Argentina, but exports far ahead. Vineyards in the central valley, the most important grape is the grape harvest high Pais, used for production of domestic wine. Followed by Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Moscatel, Chardonnay and Smetana Rong.
Chile's wine production to distinguish three regions, 13 areas: namely, the most northern wine-growing area Ai Erji Valley (ELGUI VALLEY) and Lima Li Gu (LIMARI VALLEY); the second block of the Central Valley, but also wine most major grape producing areas, subdivided into eight areas; third block south Yi Tata Valley ITATA, BIO BIO, and Bio-Bio Valley MALLECO Marley examination Valley. Wine grape growing area of ​​about 107,001 ha. Well-known areas: Aconcagua warm weather to produce Cabernet Sauvignon grape-based, Errazuriz is where the manufacturers. Casablanca Valley, known in recent years, the region is not small.
Chilean wine is currently the basic series points:
VARIETAL: only the name of the column grapes, this is the most basic wine.
RESERVA: collection level, the wine is stored off by the oak, the wine better than the above.
GRAN RESERVA: Need for collection, use more and newer barrels, longer storage time, quality and more on the floor, many wineries have this kind of wine.
RESERVA DE FAMILIA: family collection, basically that is the best wine, a wine Chuang, may also have a similar way to express, such as the ALPHA MONTES and M, CASA LAPOSTOLLE of CLOS APALTA, VALDIVIESO the CABALLO LOCO NO 1,2, etc. on behalf of a special produced.
However, Chilean wine, different wine Chuang same level of wine can not be directly compared.
Special Aspect: everything wine varieties, and cheap. Chilean wine is easy drinking wine style is clear, although the characteristics of a hundred wines blind, but now many wineries in the area also began to pursue distinctive brewing style. Chilean wines are generally more full-bodied rich, good price, especially in the taste It is generally suitable for American consumers.