The South American continent is an up-and-coming wine region. Several countries here are important producers and exporters of table grapes and raisins. Argentina is by far the biggest producer, followed by Brazil and Chile. We will group Argentina and Chile together and take a look at wines from these countries.

How did these countries become wine producers?

Conquistadors brought vines with them, so Spain and Portugal were important influences in the 16th and 17th centuries. More recently, France, Italy, Spain, and the U.S. have helped to shape South America’s wine industries. Foreign investment has come from large, well-established wineries looking to start a new project in the Southern Hemisphere. Wine quality from this region is increasing, and as a result, Argentina and Chile are turning their attention to exporting.

Who produces more wine—Chile or Argentina?

Argentina, and by far.

Argentina

New wave of optimism is encouraging investments in premium varietals and styles. Successful reds are allowing Argentine wine producers to compete with international success.

Argentina’s wine regions are widely dispersed, but are confined to the western strip of the country bordering the foothills of the Andes. Two major regions that you should get to know are Mendoza and Cafayete.

Mendoza

The biggest and most important wine region in Argentina. It’s located in Central Argentina, far west against the Andes Mountains. A variety of grapes are grown in Mendoza, but Malbec is what really puts this region on wine maps.

Malbec- Argentina’s signature variety. The predominant grape here is one that never achieved greatness in its original birthplace, southwest France. Grown in Cahors and blended into red Bordeaux, Malbec seems to have discovered its true home in Mendoza. Here it produces a deeply colored robust fruity wine that is often quite spicy and smoky. They are a good accompaniment for grilled meat.

Two other red grapes often seen in Argentina are Cabernet Sauvignon and Bonarda.

White varieties such as Chardonnay are increasingly common. Chardonnay is the grape that everyone wants to produce and Argentina is no exception. It is popular, marketable, and relatively easy to grow.

The Cafayete region is farther north from Mendoza. This region’s microclimate is ideal for cultivating the Torrontes grape, a specialty of Argentina. Torrontes produces a unique white wine with highly perfumed, floral aromatics. One would expect this wine to also taste sweet, but it ends up being medium-bodied and dry.

Chile

Chile is the long exceptionally narrow country that runs down the south west coast of South America, on the opposite side of the Andes from Argentina. It may surprise you that Chile produces only a quarter as much wine as is made in Argentina. Chile has become a prime resource for keenly priced varietal wines. By this we mean the wines are all one grape and are known by the grape and not by their region of Chile that they came from. Chile has become many people’s go-to source for good inexpensive wines.

Chilean wineries produce lots of fruity, uncomplicated Cabernet Sauvignon as well as Merlot, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc. Typically these are clean fruity wines, that may not be very concentrated or complex but very quaffable.

Chilean wineries are currently undergoing a technological revolution. They are making a changeover from a focus on quantity for local consumption to quality for export markets.

Unfortunately, so far Chile lacks a wine style to really call its own. Some are emphasizing Carmenere to be Chile’s unique gift to the wine world.

Several growing regions in Chile to be familiar with are the Maipo, Rapel, and Colchogua Valleys. dressing.