Give me a Chilean Cabernet, anyday! Today, let's journey to Maipo Valley, a pretigous winemaking region in Chile that's known for their rich, jammy Cabernets that have even earned it the nickname as the "Bourdeaux of South America". Yet, it's not just Cabernets you can enjoy from Maipo Valley, as the region is home to three distinct growing regions, each with their own unique terroirs that helps a diverse range of exceptional wines flourish. Let's find out what! 

Maipo may sound like that one Chinese tofu dish... but it's actually a viticulture paradise in Chile! 

Rest assured, however, that today's valley goes beyond the realm of your average Chinese stir-fry restaurant.  The Maipo Valley is undoubtedly Chile’s most famous wine region. Located in the western coast of Chile, the valley's Mediterranean climate and unique terroir make it an ideal location to grow a variety of wine grapes, responsible for an equally diverse span of wines.

The Maipo Valley's winemaking story begins in the 16th century when Spanish conquistadors introduced European grape varieties to Chile. Among these were the foundational grapes that would later define the region's character: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Carmenère. The vineyards of Jesuit priests would come to be filled with these grapes (Known casually as "Black grapes" back then).

Maipo Valley is divided into three subregions, each with their own varied terroirs and wine specialisations!

The valley is divided into three growing areas: Alto Maipo (upper), Entre Cordilleras (central) and the Pacific Maipo (lower). Each has their own special terroir and "specialisations" in wine. For example, Upper Maipo is well known for its rich and fruit-forward Cabernet, while lower Maipo has a penchant for vibrant, zesty Sauvignon Blancs.

A rough cross-section of the Maipo Valley's wine producing regions, which are locally known by a few different names.

Terroir can be understood as a wine's environment which ultimately decides how it will end up tasting. in this case, the Maipo Valley's subregions benefit from its unique position, with all upper, central and lower Maipo experiencing a wholly different environment despite relatively being in the same area.

Alto Maipo/Upper: Standing on the eastern base of the Andes mountain range, the vineyards in this region can be located at elevations ranging from 400 to 800 meters above sea level. This specific location results in a microclimate that has sunny, warm days but also cool nights.

One of Upper Maipo's other defining feature is soil that is both rocky and free-draining. The soils are said to impart minerality to the wines. Moreover, the vines can become stressed by the porous and rocky soil, resulting in grapes that have less water, concentrating flavors and tannins.

Entre Cordilleras/Central: Just a little below upper Maipo, this subregion benefits from a sources of nutrient-rich water: The Maipo River. Melted snow runoff from the mountains contribute to fertile soils that when combined with the warm and arid climate of the region, provide the ideal conditions for viticulture.

Pacific Maipo/Lower: This region benefits from the titular Pacific Ocean, which plays a giant role in shaping how the wines from the subregion turn out. It also benefits from the nutrient-rich Maipo river. When compounded with excellent drainage due to sandier soils, the environment is more than ideal for grapevine cultivation.

Due to cooling oceanic breezes blowing landward, they reduce the aridity and warmth of the vineyards, which preserves the grapes' natural acidity and is also said to aid in increasing the grapes' vibrant fruit flavors and aromatic complexity.

What is each region known for?

Of the many wine varieties produced in the Maipo Valley, three are particularly outstanding, with some sub-regions specialising in certain types.

Upper Maipo is known for their Cabernet Sauvignons: Arguably the most famous wine in the Maipo Valley, Cabernet Sauvignons are often produced by wineries in Upper Maipo. The resulting wines benefits from the high-altitude environment, and are often characterized by their deep color, firm tannins, and elegance. Upper Maipo's  Cabernet Sauvignons have even been likened to the classic Bordeaux-like styles found in France.

They are known for their longevity, while also said to be heavy in the notes of blackcurrant, cedar and tobacco, maintaining a lingering finish with depth.

Central Maipo specialises in Carménère: Some of you might remember Carménère as a red wine grape from our dive into some popular wine grapes. A lesser-known variety, Carménère is considered one of the original six grapes of Bordeaux, the others being Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot. However, changing times have made it that the grape is rarely found in France, with most of the world's source of this variety being planted in Chile. 

This late-ripening grape thrives in warm, sunny climates (but not too hot) but fares particularly poorly if it is introduced to high levels water. Specifically, Central Maipo provides the climate that this wine variety takes too very well, with the combination of fertile soils and a (fairly) Mediterranean climate resulting in an exceptionally nurturing environment for the grape variety.

It is known for distinctive herbal notes, rich/ripe fruit flavors, dark chocolate, tobacco and general earthy notes. Under-ripe grapes may even be harvested early if producers desire a wine with strong green pepper and paprika notes.

Sauvignon Blanc is the specailty of Lower Maipo:  While all three regions are fairly big on red wine production, Lower Maipo wineries are often spooted producing Sauvignon Blanc. This white grape variety thrives in the cooler temperatures with sandy alluvial soils, and hence, is well suited to the Lower Maipo growing regions. 

Sauvignon Blancs from this region are known for their high acidity, bright fruit flavors and zesty vibrancy! 

Lok Bing Hong A budding journalist that loves experiencing new things and telling people's stories. I have 30 seconds of coherence a day. I do not decide when they come. They are not consecutive.