Chilean Wine hits Basque restaurant (go back »)

Chilean winemakers have five centuries of wine-making experience behind them,so it's no wonder that they are harvesting the rewards of hard work, a beautiful climate, great soils and perseverance in the wide - and growing - scope of their wines.

By the early 1800s, the wines from Chile were proving such a competition for Spanish export wines that the Spanish crown ordered heavy taxes and restrictions followed by acres of vineyards destroyed.

In the 1940's, Chilean wines grew in popularity, then faded a little with governmental restriction on production and the nationalization of many wineries. In the 1980's, Chilean wines again hit the worldwide market, becoming an inexpensive way to enjoy wine. While some were not as good as others, the wines caught the eye of many French and American winemakers such as Spain's Miguel Torres, France's Baron de Rothschild and Chateau Lafite, and the U.S.'s Robert Mondavi among others, and today, with foreign capital and joint ventures, Chile's wines are reaching an ever wider and more demanding audience.

Chile's wine producing areas stretch through the narrow central valleys from north of Santiago to Concepción in the south. For years, the main concentration of vineyards was in the Maipo valley, but recently, the region south to Bío Bío sees more vines.

When you visit Santiago, no doubt you'll tour the nearby winery of Concha y Toro founded in 1883 and promoted as one of the oldest and the biggest winery in Chile. It exports, under various labels, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc y Semillón to over 70 countries.
Some of the wonderful varieties of Chilean wine include Riesling, Semillón, Shiraz, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Pinot Noir, Carmenère, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Verdot, Viogner, Gewürztraminer,Chenin Blanc and others.

Next time you're serving wine, either alone or with food, try one of these fine Chilean wines. Or even better go to Basque Tapas and Wine in Chapel st, Windsor Melbourne and try their new Chilean wine menu.
Click here to view video of Basque Tapas and Wine restaurant.

In wine