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WineLife Chile
Chile joins the big league winemaking countries by the mid-1800s, when interest in European-style wine production was taking hold. Well-heeled families many with fortunes earned in the mining industry built extraordinary mansions beyond the city limits and surrounded them with vineyards. Pioneering naturalist and scientist Claudio Gay brought some 30 Vitis vinifera varieties from France for experimental purposes in the nascent University of Chile's Quinta Normal agricultural center.
Silvestre Ochagavia is generally credited with being the first to introduce French varieties for commercial purposes 20 years later in the Maipo Valley. Soon the founding wineries established their -still successful operations- among them Viña Santa Rita.
New varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec (Cot), Carménère, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillón, and Riesling produced noble wines that quickly gained popularity and replaced the then-traditional País grape, which was relegated to the country's winemaking extremes, where it is still used today for rustic wines destined for local consumption.
Chile had entered into a new phase of its winemaking history, again one of the first in the New World to make serious noble wines. This small South American country was also fortunate as the European wine industry was about to undergo the famed phylloxera crisis, from which Chilean vineyards was spared due to protection from Los Andes range and strong importing laws and controls.
Today, Chile is the 4th exporting winecountry in the world, and has consolidated the recognition from consumers, press and worldwide winemakers. Discover more about wines of Chile.
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Tributo Carmenere 2006
"When you find a well-made, value-priced Carmenere, it’s well worth a try", Robert Parker
| Orig: |
$16.75 |
| Sale: |
$13.50 |
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Caliterra Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2007
89, Wine Enthusiast & Best Buy List
| Orig: |
$12.50 |
| Sale: |
$10.00 |
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Arboleda Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
"...fresh red fruit notes...sweet spices...tasty and elegant finish..."
| Orig: |
$19.50 |
| Sale: |
$15.75 |
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Conde Superunda 2002, Curicó Valley, Chile
92, Wine Advocate
90, Wine Enthusiast
92, Patricio Tapia, Best Red Blend
| Orig: |
$44.75 |
| Sale: |
$36.25 |
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Cordillera Tinto 2003, Curicó, Chile
"The old Cariñena vines add to the long and intense aftertaste."
| Orig: |
$20.00 |
| Sale: |
$16.25 |
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Santa Digna Carmenere Reserve 2006, Central Valley, Chile
"...elegant, with sweet and fruity tannins..."
| Orig: |
$14.50 |
| Sale: |
$11.75 |
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Coordillera Chardonnay 2008, Curicó Valley, Chile
Silver Medal
Concours Mondial Bruxelles
| Orig: |
$16.50 |
| Sale: |
$13.25 |
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Miguel Torres Botrytis Late Harvest Riesling 2007
Beautiful botrytised riesling, aged in French oak at an equally fabulous price!
| Orig: |
$17.50 |
| Sale: |
$14.25 |
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