Ignore all the hype about Chile's new 'super wines' which are fetching astronomic prices; what Chile does best is producing outstanding value for money wines at the lower to middle ranges. Indeed, it would be difficult to find another country offering such consistent wines of such excellent value. Five years ago, it was the Australians who were the principal provider of good-value wine, but this pre-eminent position has been stolen by the Chileans. Chile's initial export reputation was based on its red wines, especially Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, but more recently, Chilean producers have had considerable success with Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. Another variety that is beginning to make waves is Carmenère, a vine that was long confused with Merlot but, infact had nothing to do with it as it had been imported from France in the late nineteenth century. This makes deep-coloured wines with black fruit fragrance, big structured brambly fruit combined with a hint of spice. The regions that it does best in are Colchagua, Rapel and Maule. Pinot Noir is also a serious player and some lovely, silky and juicy wines are coming out of the cooler climate Casablanca and Bio-Bio regions. The majority of Chile's quality wine production is situated in the Central Valley area, south of Santiago, (taking in the regions of Maipo, Rapel, Curicó and Maule) and the Anconagua Valley, which includes Casablanca. A growing number of Chilean producers are beginning to adopt more eco-friendly techniques in their vineyards and, like New Zealand, where humidity and rainfall are naturally low and where proximity to the crumpling ozone layer guarantees strong ultra-violet, fungus, rot and mildew and rarely found problems, thereby minimising the need for spraying fungicides and the like. There is only one 'caveat' that we would like to draw your attention to and that is the growing number of 'Chilean' wines that are in fact bottled in northern Europe and have spurious, made-up names and have no resemblance to the real wines of this wonderful country. Read the labels before buying!
Cornellana Chardonnay/Sauvignon Blanc, 2006 - Viña La Rosa, Rapel Valley
A blend of the quite 'fat' fruity Chardonnay and the fresh grassy Sauvignon that brings out the best of both varieties. Dominated by tropical fruit flavours and crisp acidity. The pairing of the light, fresh aromatic Sauvignon Blanc with the richer Chardonnay is quite unusual, but here it works to tremendous effect, producing an exuberant, appealing wine which has lovely tropical fruit flavours, and is perfect unaccompanied, well-chilled, on a summer's day, or as a foil to coronation chicken, pork with prunes or any salad dish.
Alpha Syrah, 2005 - Aurelio Montes, Apalta Vineyard, Santa Cruz, Colchagua Valley
The up front nose is fruity, black cherries, hints of strawberries, and all well combined with a smoky spiciness, that adds elegance and complexity. The oak, although evident, is well assembled and combined with this strong, soft and velvety wine. Of intense ruby red color, it has a great aroma with floral, tobacco and leathery notes. Strong and full bodied to the palate, with soft and mature tannins. A very long, elegant and satisfying after taste. A superb Syrah.
From their "La Finca" Estate, in the Apalta Valley, it is the scarcest of the ALPHA line yet it shows how promising the Apalta Valley slopes are. Yield is very low, only 6 tons per hectare. It has been aged in French oak for one year and had only one soft filtering. Aurelio Montes adds10% of Cabernet Sauvignon, also from Apalta, to the final blend.
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