Chile Travel Advice For Oenophiles

Oenophiles looking for a taste of Chile travel advice should start with the lay of the land. The entire country is one narrow but very long piece of land (4000 miles) jammed in between the towering Andes in the East and the Pacific Ocean to the West. This strange landscape and climate clash allows for well irrigated, mineral-rich soil at a high elevation. This is the primary reason why Chilean wine is so much in demand all over the world, including in the US.

For Western tourists and visitors, a visit here usually begins with a flight that touches down at Santiago. Since there is an extensive local network of connecting flights, it's quite easy to move around and visit Casablanca, Easter Island and other destinations. Another way visitors can enter is by bus, via bordering nations like Argentina, Bolivia and Peru or even Brazil which is not a bordering nation.

Since oenophiles reading this will likely be getting impatient, let's go straight to the destinations famed for Merlots, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chilean red wines. The country is divided into several Denominacion de Orign or DO's. Out of all destinations and the DO's in the country, the ones in Central Valley & Aconcagua get the lion's share of visitors and wine tourists.

Limari (DO - Coquimbo): A large part in the north is occupied by the Atacama Desert's aridity. So the cool ocean breeze and morning fog in the Limari Valley's vineyards seem a lot more attractive than it might be elsewhere. Vineyards and wineries aide, there's a lot more for visitors to see, such as ancient petroglyphs & Fray Jorge National Park.

Aconcagua (DO - Aconcagua): This is perhaps the crown jewel of Chile's wine producers. This valley allows for everything from red wines in the foothills of Mt. Aconcagua to white wines further beyond near the coast. For tourists, the snow-capped beauty of Mt. Aconcagua is a huge draw, since it is the tallest mountain in the Americas.

Casablanca (DO - Aconcagua): A late addition to the country's historic wine producing regions, Casablanca has done very well by making a name for its Chardonnay & Sauvignon Blanc wines. Not to mention authentic classics such as Pinot Noir and Merlot. The cool climes and proximity to Santiago bring in many visitors, and the wine circuit tours here are very popular.

Maipo (DO - Central Valley): Maipo Valley vineyards cover a huge area (10,000 hectares) in the Central Valley that stretches east-west between Santiago and the coast. Maipo is also one of the country's biggest producers of Cabernet Sauvignon. The proximity to Santiago allows for day tours and half-day trips to one or more vineyards.

Rapel (DO - Central Valley): The Rapel Valley south of Santiago has two separate wine growing regions - Cachapoal and Colchagua. Cachapoal is known for its Merlot and Carmenere while Colchagua is famous for its massive production of full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon. Wineries here offer full tours of the production facilities with tastings included.

Curico (DO - Central Valley): Oenophiles looking for Chile travel advice would do well to take note of this region and its wines. The 19,000 hectares covered by vineyards here produce more than 30 different wine grapes. Curico also has a lot going in terms of events and festivals, which include fashion shows and also the annual Grape Harvest Festival.