Terroir-driven wine is made from grapes strategically harvested to ripen under the influences of a certain climate, certain weather conditions, soil and terrain; it typically exhibits that earthy old-world taste. In the last quarter century, there have been some up and comers who’ve honed this wine making style expertly, offering these gorgeous wines for more affordable prices – a major one is Chile. They’re recognized for cool-climate wines, like their Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Something characteristic of Chilean wine that distinguishes it from the old world wines made using the same style is its focus on freshness and good acidity over weight and ripeness which suits a more modern drinking palate.
If you love a crisp white wine, trying a glass of the Cartagena Sauvignon Blanc by Viña Casa Marín is a must. This 2017 vintage is young but wonderfully structured, with bright freshness on the nose inspired by distinctive notes of melon, kiwi and grass. The acidity is fine and balanced on the palate, like citrus meeting honey. Coming in at a respectable 93 points, you can feel confident pairing this selection with your favourite breads, rich fish, white meat and soft cheeses like gouda. Herbal and tart, Chilean Sauv Blanc is some of the freshest tasting as the cool ocean breezes balance what strong sunlight the grapes receive — and they make great gifts for the wine lover in your life.
For red wine drinkers, the Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva Terroir by Viñedos Terranoble, vintage 2014, is a bottle to watch out for. It is an inviting dark ruby red in the bottle, and once cracked open, drinkers will immediately detect ripe red fruit with a touch of smoke and cocoa. There’s an added complexity to this selection thanks to its oak-barrel ageing, offering fullness in the mouth, and a firm tannin structure able to hold its own even when paired with red meat dishes. If you regularly drink Cab Sauv from California, Chile boasts comparable valleys where you can find similarly delicious options at a lower cost. Order this bottle from Wine Online or check out what other selections the retailer has to offer; have their top quality, curated wines delivered right to your door.
Finally, Chilean Malbec is beginning to rival even that of Argentina because of its focus on complexity over bold richness. If you prefer something denser than the above red without losing balance, try the Polkura Malbec by Viña Polkura, vintage 2014 from the Colchagua province. This layered Malbec exhibits dark fruits and firm, silky tannins; it is beautifully full-bodied with a long finish.
Have you been searching for wine from a new world region that still offers an old word touch? How about a selection that boasts some tartness on the palate, and powerful acidity to contrast against sweet or fruit-forward alternatives? Cool-climate Chilean reds and whites provide drinkers with the best of both worlds, and thanks to the expertise their wine makers have developed over the last quarter-century, with a real focus on preserving earthiness on the palate, Chilean wine has never been finer.