Grape Hunting in Chile

    Santiago de Chile (updated January 15, 2000):  One of the treasures of Chile is its longstanding and distinguished viticulture.  Excellent Chilean wines are inexpensive outside of Chile, so imagine how cheap they are here.  And the sheer number of small vineyards is overwhelming.  But we plan to diligently sacrifice our evenings so as to make you, our discerning website visitor, more knowledgable about the Chilean wine on your local store shelves.  It's a hardship, but I guess that's the harsh flip side of having to spend January and February in 80 degree weather.

    We'll be adding new labels to this page as we make new discoveries, so be sure to check back now and then. Salud!

Casablanca Vineyards

To date, the best wine we've had by far is the Casablanca Merlot '96 (Sta. Isabel Estate).  We've become greedy for it. It won the wine of the year and we can taste why. Sorry, we couldn't find an online graphic. Comes in a white and purple bottle.  If you can get it in the States, you are lucky. The '97 and '98 harvests are supposed to be good, too.

MontGras Vineyards
Another excellent Merlot is the MontGras Reserve '96.  Outstanding at an affordable price.  Couldn't find an online graphic. Why is it that we are most impressed by the ones we can't highlight for you?
 

Cousino-Macul Vineyards
Readily available all over the U.S.  Inexpensive and excellent value.  Merlots and Cabernet Sauvignons recommended.

 

Carmen Vineyards
This one should also be 
widely available. 
Again, the reds rule.

Undurraga Vineyards
We visited this vineyard just outside of Santiago and saw the modern version of the Glenn Miller Orchestra. At least the wines and the  champagne launch did not disappoint.

Santa Rita Vineyards
This is an extremely popular wine in the U.S. and for good reason.  You often find it there with a gold label and with a large "120" forming the background of the label.  We have never tasted a poor bottle from Santa Rita, and the whites are nice as well. Always a good value.

  

San Pedro Vineyards
Chile is best known for its red wines (cabernet, merlot, malbec, syrah), but we visited this vineyard 3 hrs south of Santiago and finally found a white wine we both really liked.  Look for the 35 Sur Sauvignon Blanc, especially the 1997 harvest.

  

San Pedro Vineyards
This Cabernet is from the same vineyard.  The graphic is not clear, but the wine is called Cabo de Hornos (Cape Horn).  Outstanding! The standard San Pedro Cabernet is a great value as well. I'm sipping a '98 right now that I find to be an excellent Monday wine, especially at about $5 a bottle.

Links:
Wines of Chile
Vinosearch
Chilean Wine Guide

Tom and Deb's Main Page