1. Section IV: Wine Regions of the Southern Hemisphere Chapter 15: Chile and Argentina

2. Introduction  Located in the proper climate for growing grapes  Both countries have a long history of winemaking.  Andes Mountains separates Chile and Argentina physically and culturally.  Each country has developed its own unique style.  For most of the 20 th century, winemaking was targeted toward domestic markets.  Recently, there has been great effort in improving vineyards so wines can compete on the world market.

3. Chile  The world’s tenth largest producer of wine  Has the proper terroir to produce fine wines  Grown dramatically in the last two decades  Economical cost of land and labor means low prices.  Inexpensive wines are Chile’s primary export.

4. Chilean Wine—Historical Perspective  The European vinifera grapevine was brought to Chile by the Spanish conquistadors.  During the 1540s, first Chilean vineyard established  Most popular grape variety was Pais  Slow development over next 300 years. Expansion was difficult due to raids and attacks Lack of a market  Chile began exporting inexpensive wine and brandy during the 16 th and 17 th centuries.  Spanish king forbade export to other Spanish colonies in 1774.  Chile won its independents in 1822.

5. Chilean Wine—Historical Perspective (cont.)  Chilean wine filled gap of European wines when phylloxera struck in the 1880s.  Root louse was never introduced to Chile; vines can be grown on their own roots.  Chile enacted prohibitionist laws in the 1930s.  WWII isolated Chile from its European markets.  After 1970s: overproduction and substandard wines

6. Chilean Wine—Historical Perspective (cont.)  Winemakers concentrated on improving their product through modernization.  Chile began to attract international investment.  During the 1990s, the value of Chilean exports rose.  Two types of Chilean wine: One inexpensive and ordinary, for domestic market One superior made from classic European varietals for export  Chile is rebuilding after February 27 th, 2010 earthquake.

7. The Wine Regions of Chile  Chile’s method of organizing grape growing appellations is called Denominación de Origen.  This system divides Chile’s wine country into five major grape growing regions: Atacama Coquimbo Aconcagua Valle Central (Central Valley) Región del Sur (Southern Region

8. The Atacama and Coquimbo Regions  Considered too warm for the production of grapes for fine table wine  Most of the vineyard produce table grapes which are exported to the Northern Hemisphere.  The region also produces grapes that are used for the production of Pisco, a type of brandy.

9. Pisco  The national drink of Chile  Production is strictly regulated by the government  Grapes that are grown for Pisco can only come from the Atacama and the Coquimbo wine regions.  13 varieties of grapes may be used for Pisco.  The winemaking process is basic.

10. The Aconcagua Region  Made up of three subregions  Produces fewer than 5% of Chile’s wine grapes

11. The Valle Central Region  The Central Valley is Chile’s largest viticultural region and grows 80 percent of Chile’s grapes.  Made up of four subregions  The Carmenère that is grown in the Rapel Valley is considered one of the best that is produced in Chile.

12. The Region del Sur  The Itata River valley has been growing grapes since the time of the Spanish colonization and accounts for about 9 percent of Chile’s wine grapes.

13. Argentina  Has over a half million acres in grapes  Investments hindered by unstable economic situation  Situation began improving in 2001.  Modernization is coming slowly.  Majority of country’s output is inexpensive wine destined for the domestic market.

14. Argentine Wine—Historical Perspective  The first grapevines of European origin were introduced to Argentina from Chile in 1556.  A new wave of emigration from the winemaking countries of Europe occurred in 1816.  In 1853, Argentina established a school of agriculture in the Mendoza province. French director of the school imported French varietals.  Setbacks in the 1920s.  Overproduction issues during the 1980s.  Today Argentina has realized that its wine future lies with the overseas market.

15. The Wine Regions of Argentina  The Mendoza and San Juan Regions  The La Rioja and Salta Regions  The Rio Negro and Neuquén Regions