Chilean Harvest Update

Published February 12, 2020 | By cmusto

chilean wine

Viticulture:

Chile’s wine growing success is due to the cooling influences they receive from the Pacific Ocean, the Andes Mountains, and the warm and plentiful sunshine. Their warm Mediterranean climate allows for grapes to fully ripen and avoid fungal diseases. There is a current called the Humboldt Current that flows up from Antarctica, along the Chilean coast, and the cool air is pushed inland by the wind patterns. This cooling effect helps cool off the grapes during those sunny days. Colchagua and Curico Valley both benefit from this ocean influence; which allows these regions to produce grapes from fertile soil for wines that are gaining premium reputations.

Making Chilean Wine:

Cabernet Sauvignon is the most widely planted grape in Chile. Cabernets from this region of the world boast full bodied, ripe black fruit aromas and flavors, and some herbaceous characteristics. If you are a winemaker who does not enjoy herbaceous notes, we suggest using the CSM yeast on all of your Chilean reds. This yeast was specifically cultivated to help offset herbaceous notes. Merlots from Chile tend to be medium bodied, fruit forward, and depending on your winemaking style, can produce some very complex characteristics. Carmenere from Chile (known as the main grape of the country) showcase high levels of tannins, black fruits, and some herbaceous notes depending on the winemaking style. Another grape I would like to point out is Syrah from Chile. Syrah is widely planted across the region and displays notes of black fruit, and is full bodied, with great intensity. If you have tried Syrah from South Africa in the past it might be interesting to try Syrah from Chile and compare and contrast, or even blend them both together!

This season we will have Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carmenere, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Petite Verdot and Pinot Noir grapes and juices from Chile.

White wines from Chile are also delicious. The most widely planted white grapes are Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. We are lucky to receive Viognier and Pinot Grigio, as they are not as widely planted. Sauvignon Blanc from Chile has flavors of ripe apple, citrus and tropical flavors. While the Chardonnays have notes of ripe fruit and oak flavors. All white wines from Chile poses fresh, fruity, and crisp qualities that make it the perfect summer sipper.

This season we will have Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Muscat, Viognier, and Pinot Grigio grapes and juices from Chile.

Arrival Estimates:

The Chilean grapes and juices should start arriving in late April, early May. Once the grapes are harvested we will have more details.

Grapes Available from Chile:

Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Carmenere, Malbec, Merlot, Petite Verdot, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, and Viognier.

Juices Available from Chile:

Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Carmenere, Malbec, Merlot, Petite Verdot, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, and Muscat.

For more information on making wine from Chile check out these blogs posts:

For more information on how to order please email sales@juicegrape.com or call 887-812-1137. Looking forward to working with you this Spring!

Posted in Editorials