| Chile and Argentina are becoming more and | | | | is more complex. And of course there is Elqui |
| more interesting as producing countries for | | | | and Limari in the north; 4 hours drive from |
| the UK wine market. We have long known that | | | | Santiago towards the start of the Atacama |
| Chile produces wines that stylistically suit | | | | Desert - wonderful growing conditions. |
| our market and at good value prices and our | | | | |
| buying director Emma Roberts introduced many | | | | We have also come across new suppliers, |
| new suppliers after her visit two years ago. | | | | organic suppliers, old stalwarts such as Los |
| Argentina is an emerging producing nation and | | | | Vascos doing great things (a tip, try |
| therefore well worth exploring. Personally I | | | | maturing their normal Cabernet for a couple |
| hadn't visited either for 11 years, and so | | | | of years - it ages beautifully) so watch this |
| this year's trip was a real eye-opener. | | | | space for next year. |
| | | | |
| Fundamentally Chile is a completely different | | | | Argentina is a total contrast. The economic |
| country today than it was even 5 years ago, | | | | troubles the country has experienced since |
| let alone 11! Santiago now feels like a | | | | devaluation in 2001 are quite plainly |
| modern, bustling international city. I was | | | | illustrated by the number of ancient cars |
| amazed by how many producers are new, and how | | | | still on the roads! But boy is its wine |
| many new vineyards in virgin sites have been | | | | industry getting interesting. New plantings |
| planted in the last 5-7 years. The really | | | | in cooler areas like Tupungato are making |
| exciting aspect of this is the emergence of | | | | lovely fragrant Sauvignons, Torrontes, and |
| regional differences in wines produced. The | | | | rich yet unheavy Malbec. Malbec really is a |
| cooler areas nearer to the coast on the west | | | | speciality here, reaching new heights |
| and the Andes in the east are seeing | | | | (literally in the high altitude vineyards) of |
| plantings of Sauvignon and Pinot Noir and | | | | richness and sophistication. There are new |
| other cooler climate varietals. Vineyard | | | | boutique small production wineries springing |
| areas such as San Antonio and Leyda near the | | | | up that are making some lovely, handcrafted |
| Pacific (which I hadn't realised is very cold | | | | wines. |
| in Chile due to the Humboldt Current) did not | | | | |
| even exist a decade ago. Growers are also | | | | The 24 hour trip home (a tip, try to avoid |
| planting further south in cooler, more | | | | any lengthy waits between connections at Sao |
| marginal areas towards the Antarctic. In more | | | | Paolo airport - there is nothing to do |
| traditional areas producers are moving from | | | | there!) was well worth it and the visit has |
| the fertile, valley floors to the slopes at | | | | proved to be one of the most satisfying for |
| higher altitude, where yields are lower, | | | | many years. |
| harvests are later, and aromatic expression | | | | |