Top 10 Chilean regions to watch

Chile’s most important regions and sub-regions, and the climates, soils and grape varieties that mark them out.

The march of Chilean producers towards mapping the extensive differences between sub-regions in the country is continuing at a heady pace.

The industry adores difference as well as nuance and it is heartening to see winemakers so committed to their particular patch and keen to emphasise quality.

But is Chile in a position to start talking about regionality, or is it moving too far and too fast for its customer base?

Michael Cox, director of Wines of Chile, is in no doubt: “Even though both the trade and consumers are still getting to grips with Chile’s regionality, I’m convinced that we should press on with talking about Chile’s diversity and different terroirs,” he asserts.

But where are Chile’s producers focusing their attentions? By common consensus it is to the “extremes”.

From the experimental plantings in the wastes of the Atacama to the glacial south, Chile is pushing the boundaries of its winemaking, while simultaneously delving under the top soil in its well established Central and Casablanca Valleys.

April’s edition of the drinks business will examine the leading grape varieties in the country that are key to Chile’s future.