THIS time of year I tend to reach for a warming red, and as the temperature drops and power bills rise, price becomes a pretty keen issue. We may be feeling the pinch, but why should we compromise on quality? My solution is to head towards South America for my fix of red. Chile is producing some very cheerful wines at remarkably cheap prices. And if you like your red wine to be emphatic, all the better. Chile is almost uniquely well suited to viticulture. Cool temperatures influenced by the Pacific Ocean and the Andes coupled with big differences in day and night temperatures help give the grapes an extended ripening period, and the abundant fresh water from snow melt in the Andes makes irrigation a doddle. In addition to this, Chile has never been affected by phylloxera, the vine pest that devastated most of the wine producing world from the mid – late 19th Century.
I’m particularly partial to the Carmenere that Chile produces. Carmenere is originally a Bordeaux varietal, though it’s rarely seen there now. It was mistakenly identified as Merlot when it was first brought to Chile, but is now recognised for what it is. It produces some quite opulent, soft-textured wines with plenty of fruit and often a bit of a smoky note. Perfect cuddly winter fare, in short!
Another important Chilean export is Sauvignon Blanc. It may seem a little like taking coals to Newcastle to talk about Sauvignon Blanc from Chile when we make such uniquely characterful Sauvignon Blanc here ourselves,   but it’s the differences between the two that makes this an interesting drink to try. The better examples I’ve tried are less green and acidic than our classic Marlborough style, but demonstrate an attractive minerality. Chilean Sauvignon Blanc is huge in the UK market where it sells as a more cost effective alternative to the more prestigious but rather expensive Marlborough savvies on the shelves. It’s a good reminder that we need to maintain the quality of our exports, especially as our smaller scale production means that our wines generally sell at a premium.
Here are a few to try that have recently begun to be imported.
Chateau Los Boldos Carmenere 2008 Full-bodied wine with that classic smoky bonfire thing that Carmenere does and an underlying earthy, savoury character. Ripe, fine grained tannins make this a great food partner. $28.00
Chateau Los Boldos Merlot 2009 Loads of fruit on the nose, raspberry, plum and brambly notes underpinned by a bit of savouriness. Perfume and ripe tannins on the palate leave me fantasising about steak...$25.00
Chateau Los Boldos Sauvignon Blanc 2010 - Coals to Newcastle? Well, where this wine is concerned, not really, as it’s quite different to anything local I’ve tried. The nose is quite pungent, with some mineral and citrus notes, and the citrus on the palate is more waxy skins than freshly squeezed juice. A little bit of grass and elderflower comes out on the finish.$24.00