The idea of quality wines coming out of South America would have been laughable a mere 40 years ago. That is no longer the case. The continent has two countries that produce both top quality varietal wines and excellent wines unique to their history.
Argentina and Chile are the two wine producing regions in South America that are worth a visit. In truth, they would be worth a visit even if there wasn’t any wine! Buenos Aires is one of the great cities in the world. Chile is much more laid back, but has countryside and mountainous regions that are simply stunning. Still, the wine production is excellent and reason enough to visit either country.
Argentina has been in the wine production business for a nearly 200 years. The primary wine, however, was a Criolla white grape wine that was very heavy. 100 years ago, the French introduced the Malbec grape found in the Bordeaux region of France. The grape is actually not a great match for Bordeaux as the humidity leads to mold problems. The arid, fertile slopes of Argentina at the base of the Andes present a perfect climate for the grape vines and the quality of wine produced is world class. At the risk of being shouted down, I would suggest it is better than what is produced in France.
If you enjoy wines from California, you’ll enjoy wines from Chile. The country is known for producing quality, low price reds. Wine production in California has become costly to the point where $10 to $15 bottles are hard to find. Chile is filling this gap using vines from France. The wine region is located about an hour to the south of the city of Santiago. Chilean wine is excellent for the price, but finding a very high quality, expensive bottle is difficult.
South America is a great travel destination for a wide variety of reasons. Argentina and Chili certainly have plenty to offer the world traveler, not the least of which are the quality wines they produce.
By: Thomas Ajava
About the Author:
Argentina and Chile are the two wine producing regions in South America that are worth a visit. In truth, they would be worth a visit even if there wasn’t any wine! Buenos Aires is one of the great cities in the world. Chile is much more laid back, but has countryside and mountainous regions that are simply stunning. Still, the wine production is excellent and reason enough to visit either country.
Argentina has been in the wine production business for a nearly 200 years. The primary wine, however, was a Criolla white grape wine that was very heavy. 100 years ago, the French introduced the Malbec grape found in the Bordeaux region of France. The grape is actually not a great match for Bordeaux as the humidity leads to mold problems. The arid, fertile slopes of Argentina at the base of the Andes present a perfect climate for the grape vines and the quality of wine produced is world class. At the risk of being shouted down, I would suggest it is better than what is produced in France.
If you enjoy wines from California, you’ll enjoy wines from Chile. The country is known for producing quality, low price reds. Wine production in California has become costly to the point where $10 to $15 bottles are hard to find. Chile is filling this gap using vines from France. The wine region is located about an hour to the south of the city of Santiago. Chilean wine is excellent for the price, but finding a very high quality, expensive bottle is difficult.
South America is a great travel destination for a wide variety of reasons. Argentina and Chili certainly have plenty to offer the world traveler, not the least of which are the quality wines they produce.
By: Thomas Ajava
About the Author:
Thomas Ajava writes about wine for NomadJournals.com – your source for wine tasting journals that make great wine accessories for friends and family.
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