wines of New Classification of Chile’s -Producing Areas President Vinos de Chile René Araneda.

Managing Director of Chile Claudio Cilveti.

Planning & Research Manager, WineS of Chile Claudia Soler.

Editorial Committee Mario Pablo Silva, Marcelo Retamal, Víctor Costa and Ana María Barahona.

Editorial Direction Ana María Barahona.

Journalistic Editor Carlos Reyes M.

Art Director Alejandra Machuca E.

Designer Jenny García S.

MAPs Rodney Huerta. photography La CAV Archive and Courtesy of Wines of Chile.

Translator Margaret Snook.

The Guide to Chile’s New Vitivinicultural Zones is a publication prepared (for Wines of Chile) by La CAV, of the Club de Amantes de Vino.

All rights are reserved. The contents may not be reproduced without the express authorization of Wines of Chile and its editors.

Wines of Chile’s offices are at Luis Pasteur 5280, , de Chile. Telephone: 562-2218-0600

LA CAV is located at Av. La Montaña 776, Lampa, Chile. Telephone: 562-2393-8100. Introduction

The route to presenting this guide to Chile’s at least 85% of the volume of the components new geographic indications has not been of the final blend of the wine come from areas , but it has certainly been interesting and that meet the conditions of the term indicated educational for the wine industry. We formed a and that have been declared as such by the commission tasked not only with defining our Chilean and Livestock Service (SAG).” country’s new geography and determining how Chilean specialists examined data on the highest to represent it for each of our wines, but also temperatures registered during the warmest showing the world Chile’s fantastic diversity months of the year, the periods of frosts, and as a producer of high quality wines and its analyses of endemic vegetation across all of resulting sense of origin. the zones that produce wine grapes in Chile. One of our objectives took a giant leap forward This data, accumulated over many years, on September 29, 2012 when it was finally enabled a precise delimitation of specific areas incorporated into an update of the Ministry of of communities as depositaries of a climate— Agriculture’s Decree 464. It was an important with nuances—that confer a special quality to advance that began to take shape in 2011, each of these . when Chile’s wine regions were first divided A vitivinicultural area is understood as the smallest east to west in relation to the influence of the unit of the zoning decree, which corresponds mountains and the sea by incorporating the to one or more communities on Chile’s political use of the terms , Costa, and Entre map with defined geographical boundaries Cordilleras. It then continued with including and that allows viniferous grapes to produce new denominations of origin in sectors that a specific wine, and this system certifies its already had established as well origin with full guarantees. These additional as new viticultural zones. There are two, one indications may only be used for wines made in the north called the Atacama Viticultural and bottled in Chile, although it is important to Region, which extends from the Copiapó to explain that these indications are not an integral the Valleys, and another in the south, part of a Denomination of Origin system, but called the Viticultural Region, which rather simply provide additional information. extends from Cautín to as far as grapes can Today, with this expansion of the Decree, Chile grow. This is a great advance toward the larger moves forward in building its image as a wine- goal set by the industry in its producing nation of international renown with Plan 2020—to be leaders in the production indications that specify the attributes with which of Premium, sustainable, and diverse wines we have been naturally blessed. from the New World. Best Regards—and Cheers! This guide provides a detailed explanation of the Costa, Andes, and Entre Cordilleras conditions, but it is necessary to specify that wine labels that display a denomination of origin may also include complementary information by using these new terms to reflect the influence of the Andes Mountains, the Intermediate Depression, René Araneda and the Pacific Ocean, as long as the “sum of President, Vinos de Chile.

Wines of Chile | 3 Chile’s Unique Geography

Image courtesy of ORIGO Editions, Map of Chilean Wine Regions.

The cool sea air is partially blocked by the Coastal Mountains, although it finds its way inland by following the course of the transversal river valleys. During the day, sea breezes carried by the cold penetrate inland, and each night, cold air descends from the snow- covered peaks of the Andes. Considering that orography is the part of physical geography that deals with the description of mountains and that geomorphology is concerned with the earth’s relief, a thorough review of both, particularly in Chile’s wine country, shows that relief to be composed of a longitudinal intermediate depression flanked by two mountain ranges, the Andes Mountains to the east and the Coastal Range to the west.

4 | Wines of Chile Zonification Vitivinicultural N The Pacific Ocean Key Andes Areas Entre CordillerasAreas Cost Zone. Subregion. Andes areas. Entre Costa areas. REGION } ACONCAGUA VALLEY SAN ANTOIOVALLEY CASABLANCA VALLEY a Areas ew c ordilleras areas. } leyd a VALLEY CONCEPCIÓ VALPARAISO LA SERENA T ALCA LOCALLY K NOW AS SUBVALLEYS, OFFICIALLY CON SIDER ED ZONE. SANTIAGO CACHAPOAL VALLEY CLARO VALLEY VALLEY LONCOMILLA VALLEY TUUVEN VALLEY lontuE VALLEY COLCHAGUA VALLEY

CENTRAL VALLEY REGION austral REGION South REGION REGION ELQUI VALLEY HUASCO VALLEY COPIAPO VALLEY CHOAPA VALLEY LIMARI VALLEY OSORNO VALLEY CAUTIN VALLEY MALLECO VALLEY BÍO-BÍO VALLEY IT a t A acama REGION T A VALLEY

} } }

VALLEY MAIPO VALLEY CURICO VALLEY RAPEL

} }

} }

} Chile’s Coastal Influence SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

6 | Wines of Chile Costa

Chile possesses a stunning 4,000 plus kilometer coastline that is the envy of the world and its influence has had a major impact on the quality of Chile’s wines.

Wines of Chile | 7 Costa Areas ELQUI VALLEY LA SERENA LA SERENA LIMARI VALLEY }

aconcagua REGION ACONCAGUA VALLEY VALPARAISO

c e a n CASABLANCA VALLEY SANTIAGO Casablanca central valley REGION SAN ANTONIO VALLEY RAPEL VALLEY O COLCHAGUA VALLEY leyda valley RANCAGUA San Juan SANTO DOMINGO CARTAGENA ALGARROBO } CURICO VALLEY TENO VALLEY a c i f i c VICHUQUEN P MAULE VALLEY

CLARO VALLEY EMPEDRADO }

SOUTH REGION ITATA VALLEY CONCEPCIÓN Portezuelo

TEMUCO Key Specific areas within the Costa indication. Subregion. Zone. Coastal Limarí has become an Leyda, an important area within Casablanca, pioneer in the of great interest. San Antonio. development of coastal .

There is not a foreigner who hits our shores moves northward from southern Chile and that is not amazed by Chile’s broad and cools makes the sea particularly cold. When it hits the coasts. With a shoreline of more than 4,000 coastline in northern Chile it causes fog despite kilometers, a large part of Chile is caressed the total absence of clouds, and therefore by the Pacific Ocean, making it a paradise for prevents the abundant rays of sun that shine water sports as well as a dream-come-true for over much of the country from reaching the those who love seafood—and wine. vines and therefore helps them ripen properly. In the eyes of national and international wine Today, as Chile defines its coastal condition, lovers alike, Chilean wines were said to flourish it significantly extends its offer; the maritime on fertile plains and the steep hillsides of the influence not only defines its climate, but the majestic Andes Mountains—until Casablanca soils on which the vines grow as well. This results made its debut in the early 1980s. That was in the mineral and even salty characteristics just the beginning for a new chapter in Chilean that come from soils with large calcareous wine, and today we have examples of the components that have given our wine country “complementary indication of quality”. Costa a new dimension. that not only allow us to offer greater diversity, Chile’s sauvignon blancs are now among but a wide range of previously unimaginable the most appreciated in the world and offer new styles of wines as well. significant and attractive opportunities for the In accordance with objective and internationally world market. In addition, varieties such as recognized parameters for what is understood and from the Costa by “cool climate”, the new indication Costa now sector are dramatically different from wines beginning to appear on Chilean wine labels in- produced in other parts of the country. And, as cludes the areas of La Serena (Elqui); Ovalle (in is often the case with wine, the most exciting Limarí); San Juan and Santo Domingo (Leyda); part may be the future with varieties that have Zapallar, Quillota, Cartagena, Algarrobo and naturally grown very well in warmer climates Marga Marga (San Antonio); Lolol, Paredones, and/or those closer to the Andes Mountains, Pumanque and Litueche (Colchagua); Vichuquén such as , , or and (Curicó); Empedrado and Curepto (Maule) and that now show a distinctly different cool-climate Portezuelo and Coelemu (southeastern Itata); as characteristics. well as the entire sub-region of the Casablanca The wines from Chile’s Costa sector are examples Valley. It is important to note that in order to of wines with lively , deliciously fresh acidity, use the indication Costa, at least 85% of the and delightful balance and elegance… and grapes must come from the communities in- extend a definitive invitation to drink them. cluded in the new zone. It is not hard to imagine new wines from the The Chilean coastline is significant, but its role Costa, and Chile is a vibrant and fascinating in the wine world is also dependent upon the example of a wine story that is being constantly cooling effects of the Humboldt Current that updated.

Wines of Chile | 9 SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

The Generous plains

As its name states, the geographic indication sedimentary soils make it the country’s major “Entre Cordilleras” is the strip of land that runs agricultural area par excellence, and therefore between the Andes and the Coastal Mountains, the most developed cradle of national identity. the two ranges that provide natural borders to Although most of this area consists of flatlands the east and west respectively. Much of this that progressively widen toward the south, geographic indication covers the generous this intermediate depression is far from being plains that were the first to provide a home completely flat. Transversal mountain ranges to the vines brought by the Spanish conquis- and riverbeds cross it from east to west, forming tadors. Its benign and micro-reliefs that constitute a rich and fascinating

10 | Wines of Chile Entre cordilleras

This prolific zone, which separates the Costa from the Andes sectors and produces more than 60% of the nation’s wines, shows its true value under this new complementary quality indication. It extends across Chile from north to south through valleys that are emblematic in the country’s history.

mosaic of terroirs. It is precisely there that some the vineyards that were traditionally destined of Chile’s more renowned wines originate— for the industry are giving way to small mostly from red varieties. organic productions of the likes of syrah and The Entre Cordilleras indication presents striking carmenere that produce distinctive wine styles differences from north to south. In the Coquimbo that offer great opportunities for this region. Region, where the two mountain ranges nearly Slightly further south is Aconcagua, another of touch, there is barely space for an intimidate Chile’s extensive wine regions. This is where plain, except in , the only in the two mountain ranges begin to separate the region to be included in this indication. There and give rise to what we now recognize

Wines of Chile | 11 c eE a n ntre Cordilleras LA SERENA O Areas

COQUIMBO REGION LIMARI VALLEY PUNITAQUI a c i f i c P

aconcagua REGION ACONCAGUA VALLEY LLAY LLAY SAN FELIPE VALPARAISO CENTRAL VALLEY REGION MAIPO VALLEY SANTIAGO AlhuE CENTRAL VALLEY REGION María Pinto COLINA RAPEL VALLEY RANCAGUA TIL TIL CACHAPOAL VALLEY LAMPA Rancagua CURICO VALLEY

TENO VALLEY COLCHAGUA VALLEY TALCA Santa Cruz lontue VALLEY Sagrada Familia Marchigue LA ESTRELLA } MAULE VALLEY CLARO VALLEY Talca SOUTH REGION Pencahue ITATA VALLEY San Rafael ChillAn LONCOMILLA VALLEY QuillOn San Javier CONCEPCIÓN BIO-BIO VALLEY Villa Alegre Yumbel Parral Linares MulchEn RETIRO LONGAVI TUTUVEN VALLEY MALLECO VALLEY TEMUCO } TRAIGUEN

Key Specific areas within the Entre Cordilleras indication. Subregion. Zone. Aconcagua, one of Chile’s most traditional wine valleys.

Maipo has earned international fame for its privileged Colchagua is another of the most important areas in geography. the Intermediate Depression.

as Entre Cordilleras. In this region the new south in the Maule Valley, the geographic indication is only present in the center of Cauquenes and San Javier lead the major segment of the Aconcagua Valley, specifically renovations in Chilean viticulture by recovering in Panquehue and Ocoa. This is one of Chile’s dry-farmed old-vine that produces wines oldest winegrowing zones and is marked by the with good expression of origin. presence of the Aconcagua River. Elegant and Most of the wine-producing municipalities in fruity and syrah grow well Chile’s Southern Region belong to the Entre here and produce wines with remarkable ability for Cordilleras sector, and all of them show an in- bottle aging. Equidistant from the Pacific Ocean teresting viticultural vocation that is deeply rooted and the Andes Mountains, this area receives the in our country. Wines from the following areas cooling influence of both, which also makes it may use the term “Entre Cordilleras” on their la- possible to obtain and surprising wines bels: Panquehue, Hijuelas, Catemu, Llay Llay made with . and San Felipe (Aconcagua Valley); Isla de Maipo Continuing southward, the Entre Cordillera Talagante, Melipilla, Alhué, María Pinto, Colina, geographical indication is fully expressed in the Calera de Tango, Til Til and Lampa (Maipo Valley); Maipo; Cachapoal; Colchagua; Curicó, and Rauco and Sagrada Familia (Curicó Valley); Talca, Maule Valleys and their respective sub-valleys, Pencahue, San Rafael, San Javier, Villa Alegre, all of which are associated with major rivers that Parral, Linares, Cauquenes, Retiro and Longaví flow down from the Andes. (Maule Valley); Punitaqui (Limarí Valley); Cachapoal The renovation of the Chilean wine trade, led Valley, Rancagua, Peumo, Coltauco, Colchagua by Miguel Torres in the 1980s, began precisely Valley, Nancagua, Santa Cruz, Palmilla, Peralillo, in the inter-mountain areas in the Curicó Valley, Marchigüe, La Estrella (Rapel Valley); Chillán, where the Spanish vintner made his fresh and Quillón (Itata Valley); Yumbel, Mulchén (Bío-Bío fruity wines. Today, in the same region, but farther Valley); and Traiguén (Malleco Valley).

Wines of Chile | 13 SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

14 | Wines of Chile Andes

Most of the wineries in the Elqui San Clemente: symbol of Andean San Fernando and Valley are included in Andes. Maule. represent Colchagua. Andes: Blessed by the Mountains

The longest and most extensive mountain range in the world is also the backbone of Chile’s cultural identity, and its climatic qualities have led the nation’s wine to become one of its most valuable treasures to be shared with the world.

Few countries have mountains rooted as deep- climate, the tremendous size and altitude of ly in their culture as Chile does. The Andes are the Andes, which lessen as we travel south- Chile, and all it takes is a look at a map to con- ward, also creates a major factor in preventing firm that. Nearly half of the entire range—the the existence of disease and pests such as longest in the world—runs through the country, that have destroyed vineyards in from one end to the other, and its presence is other parts of the world. The fact that Chile is directly related to our way of seeing the world. phylloxera free has enabled it to develop car- It affects everything, especially in an activity as menere, a unique grape that has become the dependent upon the land as wine is. country’s signature variety. The Andes’ influence on climate is enormous. In The Andes Mountains are important to Chilean the extreme north, its height and breadth work wine production for a number of reasons. On in conjunction with the cold Humboldt Current the one hand, air masses form in the mountains to impede the formation and free movement of during the early morning hours and drop clouds that would otherwise cause significant down into the valleys during the day, settling rainfall. In fact, this is one of the primary condi- in the spaces between mountains and hills. tions that gave rise to the , the Vineyards are planted at the foot of these driest on the planet. In addition to affecting the hills where there is good ventilation, which in

Wines of Chile | 15 andes Areas COQUIMBO REGION ELQUI VALLEY LA SERENA Vicuña LIMARI VALLEY RIo Hurtado

CHOAPA VALLEY } SALAMANCA

Key ACONCAGUA REGION Specific areas within ACONCAGUA VALLEY the Andes indication. SANTA MARIA VALPARAISO Subregion. SAN ESTEBAN Zone. SANTIAGO

CENTRAL VALLEY REGION MAIPO VALLEY SANTIAGO PIRQUE RANCAGUA BUIN RAPEL VALLEY

c e a n CACHAPOAL VALLEY REQUINoA TALCA MACHALI O COLCHAGUA VALLEY San Fernando Chimbarongo

CURICO VALLEY

TENO VALLEY

a c i f i c LONTUE VALLEY CONCEPCIÓN

P MOLINA

MAULE VALLEY

CLARO VALLEY San Clemente LONCOMILLA VALLEY TEMUCO COLBUN Classic, postcard-perfect view of the Chilean Andes. turn controls temperatures, protects against and Maule, where many of Chile’s innovative frosts, and creates a big variation between red, white, and sparkling wines, take advan- daytime and nighttime temperatures. This is tage of this benefit. essential in defining the character of each Furthermore, the types of soils at the base variety. Growers have known this since vines of the mountains have a significant influence were first planted in , where the on the wine. They are essentially of alluvial so-called raco wind blows through their fields and colluvial origin, sometimes with very each morning. Furthermore, the proximity to the high concentrations of stones. They tend to mountains causes another type of influence; offer good drainage, little organic matter, and the sheer height of the Andes regulates the have a direct connection with the waterways number of hours the morning sun reaches that begin high in the Andes. These soils, the vines and concentrates the light during that are generally unsuitable for mainstream certain hours of the day, especially in north- agriculture, especially those at the base of the facing vineyards. mountains, present a particular opportunity for winegrowing, as grapevines adapt well to The influence of the massive mountain this type of terrain, that regulates their growth range has been essential for Chilean wine. and allows the vines to concentrate on high quality fruit production. These qualities allow both red and white grapes Wine production in these valleys is dependent to grow well, even in latitudes that would not upon the quirks of geography that make them otherwise produce high quality wines. Low distinct—and able to include the indication rainfall high in the narrow Elqui Valley in the “Andes” on their labels. The Chilean Decree northern of Coquimbo compensates Law 464 of 2011, which defines the new for the cool mountain temperatures. This is also vitivinicultural geographic zones, indicates that replicated in the Limarí and Choapa Valleys, “Wines from the following areas may use the where the Intermediate Depression (commonly term “Andes” on their labels: Vicuña, Paiguano referred to as the Central Valley) that separates (Elqui); Monte Patria, Río Hurtado (Limari); the Andes from Chile’s other mountain chain, Salamanca, Illapel (Choapa); Santa Maria, Calle the Coastal Range, is practically nonexistent. Larga, San Esteban (Aconcagua); Santiago, In the central zone the winds that drop down Pirque, Puente Alto, Buin, Requinoa, Rengo the mountain into the Maipo Valley have helped (Cachapoal); San Fernando, Chimbarongo define its characteristics. The same is true far- (Colchagua); Romeral, Molina, and San ther south in Cachapoal, Colchagua, Curicó, Clemente (Curico); Colbun (Maule).”

Wines of Chile | 17 Entre Costa Andes Cordilleras

In whites, promotes The perfect blend. Great stars in our wine wines with intense The combination of history. Many offer great fruitiness, rich acidity, land and sea in just structure, elegance, and freshness. the right measure. and personality. In reds, the juicy Wines with character. fruit, with its strength and elegance, plays the leading role.

18 | Wines of Chile WINE REGION SUB-REGION ZONE AREA COPIAPO VALLEY HUASCO VALLEY LA SERENA Costa ELQUI VALLEY VICUÑA Andes PAIGUANO Andes COQUIMBO REGION OVALLE Costa LIMARÍ VALLEY MONTE PATRIA Andes PUNITAQUI Entre Cordilleras RIO HURTADO Andes CHOAPA VALLEY SALAMANCA Andes ILLAPEL Andes ZAPALLAR Costa QUILLOTA Costa HIJUELAS Entre Cordilleras PANQUEHUE Entre Cordilleras ACONCAGUA VALLEY CATEMU Entre Cordilleras LLAILLAY Entre Cordilleras SAN FELIPE Entre Cordilleras SANTA MARIA Andes aconcagua REGION CALLE LARGA Andes SAN ESTEBAN Andes CASABLANCA VALLEY CASABLANCA Costa

LEYDA SAN JUAN Costa SANTO DOMINGO Costa SAN ANTONIO VALLEY CARTAGENA Costa ALGARROBO Costa MARGA MARGA Costa SANTIAGO Andes PIRQUE Andes PUENTE ALTO Andes BUIN Andes ISLA DE MAIPO Entre Cordilleras TALAGANTE Entre Cordilleras MAIPO VALLEY MELIPILLA Entre Cordilleras ALHUE Entre Cordilleras MARIA PINTO Entre Cordilleras COLINA Entre Cordilleras CALERA DE TANGO Entre Cordilleras TIL TIL Entre Cordilleras LAMPA Entre Cordilleras RANCAGUA Entre Cordilleras REQUINOA Andes CACHAPOAL VALLEY RENGO Andes PEUMO Entre Cordilleras MACHALI Andes COLTAUCO Entre Cordilleras SAN FERNANDO Andes CHIMBARONGO Andes RAPEL VALLEY NANCAGUA Entre Cordilleras SANTA CRUZ Entre Cordilleras PALMILLA Entre Cordilleras COLCHAGUA VALLEY PERALILLO Entre Cordilleras LOLOL Costa MARCHIGUE Entre Cordilleras CENTRAL VALLEY REGION LITUECHE Costa LA ESTRELLA Entre Cordilleras PAREDONES Costa PUMANQUE Costa RAUCO Entre Cordilleras TENO VALLEY ROMERAL Andes CURICO valley VICHUQUEN Costa MOLINA Andes LONTUE VALLEY SAGRADA FAMILIA Entre Cordilleras TALCA Entre Cordilleras PENCAHUE Entre Cordilleras SAN CLEMENTE Andes CLARO VALLEY SAN RAFAEL Entre Cordilleras EMPEDRADO Costa CUREPTO Costa MAULE VALLEY SAN JAVIER Entre Cordilleras VILLA ALEGRE Entre Cordilleras PARRAL Entre Cordilleras LONCOMILLA valley LINARES Entre Cordilleras COLBUN Andes LONGAVI Entre Cordilleras RETIRO Entre Cordilleras TUTUVEN VALLEY CAUQUENES Entre Cordilleras CHILLAN Entre Cordilleras ITATA VALLEY QUILLON Entre Cordilleras PORTEZUELO Costa SOUTH REGION COELEMU Costa YUMBEL Entre Cordilleras BIO BIO VALLEY MULCHEN Entre Cordilleras MALLECO VALLEY TRAIGUEN Entre Cordilleras CAUTIN VALLEY AUSTRAL REGION OSORNO valley Wines of Chile | 19

Source: Modification of Decree 464, Monday, May 16, 2011.