Winemaking in Chile is the wine industry of the South American country of Chile . Chilean wines are classified as New World wines .
Chile has a rather long history of viticulture for its region. It begins in the IVI century during the colonization of America by the Spanish conquistadors , who brought with them the vine Vitis vinifera . In the mid-19th century, French grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon , Merlot , Carmener and Cabernet Franc were brought. Modern winemaking began in the 1980s with the beginning of the use of barriques and stainless steel tanks for fermentation for aging wine. During the ten years from 1995 to 2005, the number of wineries increased from 12 to 70. As a result, along with the growth of wine production, there was an increase in exports.
One of the main factors influencing the growth of the wine market is the fact that during the late 20th century many French families immigrated to Chile. The French instilled and spread the wine culture and aesthetic taste among the local Chileans, expanding their knowledge in the world of wine.
Chile is the fifth largest wine producer in the world in terms of exported wine production. The climate is described as average between California and France. The most common grape varieties are Cabernet Sauvignon , Merlot and Carmener . Chile managed to avoid phylloxera , which means that Chilean vineyards do not need vaccination . [one]
Climate and Geography
On the map, Chile has a long narrow shape. The climate is influenced by the Andes in the east and the Pacific Ocean in the west. Vineyards are located over a length of 1200 km from the Atacama region to Bio Bio . The climate in the northern regions is dry and hot compared to the cool and humid climate in the south.
In the Central Valley around Santiago, the climate is dry, with 38 mm of rainfall and a low risk of frost in the spring. The proximity of the Andes affects the daily temperature fluctuations, creating a relatively large temperature difference day and night, maintaining the acidity level in the berries. [2]
Developed wine regions use irrigation. To supply vineyards with water, irrigation systems take meltwater from snow caps in the Andes. In the developing regions in the south there is no shortage of rainfall, however, vineyard owners have to consider a number of other factors, such as the Peruvian current in the Pacific Ocean, which can cover the vineyard with cold air.
History
Vines of European cultural grapes were brought to Chile by Spanish conquistadors and missionaries in the 16th century around 1554. Local legend says that conquistador Francisco de Aguirre himself planted the first vines. [3] The vines were most likely taken from the Spanish-created vineyards planted in Peru , which included the “ordinary black grapes” that Hernan Cortes brought to Mexico in 1520. This variety became the ancestor of Pais grapes - the most widespread grape variety in Chile until the 21st century. [1] Jesuit priests cultivated these early vineyards, using wine to celebrate the Eucharist . According to the late 16th century Chilean historian Alonso de Ovalle, grape varieties such as “ordinary black grapes”, Muscatel , Torontel, Albilho and Mollar were ubiquitous. [four]
Notes and Sources
- ↑ 1 2 K. MacNeil The Wine Bible pg 836-843 Workman Publishing 2001 ISBN 1-56305-434-5
- ↑ T. Stevenson “The Sotheby's Wine Encyclopedia” pg 543-546 Dorling Kindersley 2005 ISBN 0-7566-1324-8
- ↑ H. Johnson & J. Robinson The World Atlas of Wine pg 297-299 Mitchell Beazley Publishing 2005 ISBN 1-84000-332-4
- ↑ J. Robinson (ed) “The Oxford Companion to Wine” Third Edition pg 163-167 Oxford University Press 2006 ISBN 0-19-860990-6