South America
Chile
The natural fortress between the Pacific and the Andes, making brilliant Cabernet, Carménère and crisp coastal whites.
Chile is a winemaker's paradise: the Pacific Ocean on one side, the Andes on the other, no phylloxera to speak of, and a long narrow country that offers every climate a winemaker could want. It makes excellent value reds from Cabernet Sauvignon and its signature grape, Carménère.
The Central Valley dominates production, but the modern stars are the coastal valleys - Casablanca, San Antonio and the new Itata - which grow astonishingly fresh Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, and the high Andes foothills of Maipo and Colchagua for structured reds.
Chilean wine is clean, reliable and modestly priced, and its best wines are genuinely world-class. It is the easiest country to find great value red wine in almost any market.
Wine Regions
All regions →Notable Wines
All wines →Almaviva
Maipo Valley · 2024 (representative vintage)
Almaviva is an red wine from Chile, in the Maipo Valley region (Central Chile, just southeast of Santiago, the historic heartland of Chilean wine at the foot of the Andes.), made principally from Cabernet Sauvignon. The Baron Philippe de Rothschild / Concha y Toro joint venture — Chile's most famous fine wine.
$180–$280 est. retail
Concha y Toro Don Melchor
Maipo Valley · 2024 (representative vintage)
Concha y Toro Don Melchor is an red wine from Chile, in the Maipo Valley region (Central Chile, just southeast of Santiago, the historic heartland of Chilean wine at the foot of the Andes.), made principally from Cabernet Sauvignon. The iconic Puente Alto Cabernet from Chile's largest winery — a benchmark of Andean red depth.
$120–$180 est. retail
Maipo Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Maipo Valley · 2024 (representative vintage)
Maipo Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is an red wine from Chile, in the Maipo Valley region (Central Chile, just southeast of Santiago, the historic heartland of Chilean wine at the foot of the Andes.), made principally from Cabernet Sauvignon. a house-style Maipo Valley cabernet sauvignon that showcases the grape in this region.
$14–$34 est. retail
Maipo Valley Merlot
Maipo Valley · 2024 (representative vintage)
Maipo Valley Merlot is an red wine from Chile, in the Maipo Valley region (Central Chile, just southeast of Santiago, the historic heartland of Chilean wine at the foot of the Andes.), made principally from Merlot. a house-style Maipo Valley merlot that showcases the grape in this region.
$14–$34 est. retail
Maipo Valley Carmenère
Maipo Valley · 2024 (representative vintage)
Maipo Valley Carmenère is an red wine from Chile, in the Maipo Valley region (Central Chile, just southeast of Santiago, the historic heartland of Chilean wine at the foot of the Andes.), made principally from Carmenère. a house-style Maipo Valley carmenère that showcases the grape in this region.
$14–$34 est. retail
Maipo Valley Shiraz
Maipo Valley · 2024 (representative vintage)
Maipo Valley Shiraz is an red wine from Chile, in the Maipo Valley region (Central Chile, just southeast of Santiago, the historic heartland of Chilean wine at the foot of the Andes.), made principally from Shiraz. a house-style Maipo Valley shiraz that showcases the grape in this region.
$14–$34 est. retail
Buying Chile Wine
- › Carménère is uniquely Chilean - savoury, smoky, with red-berry fruit - and pairs brilliantly with grilled meats and spiced food.
- › For value Cabernet, Maipo and Colchagua are superb; for whites, look to the cool coastal valleys of Casablanca and San Antonio.
- › Reserva and Gran Reserva designations indicate more oak and age; the varietal level is usually fresh, fruit-forward and great everyday drinking.