South American Sips: Exploring the Diverse Delights of Chilean and Uruguayan Wines
- Harvey Leonard
- May 8
- 5 min read
South America is a treasure trove for wine lovers, and two of its most exciting players are Chile and Uruguay. While Chile has long been recognized for its exceptional value and consistent quality, Uruguay is steadily gaining recognition not just for its Tannat-driven wines, but also an emerging fine and natural wine scene.
Chile: A Land of Varied Terroirs
Chile's climate is remarkably diverse, a direct result of its extraordinary length and varied topography. Stretching from the arid Atacama Desert in the north, one of the driest places on Earth, to the frigid, glacier-carved landscapes of Patagonia in the south, Chile encompasses a wide range of climatic zones. Central Chile enjoys a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters, ideal for viticulture. The Andes Mountains create a rain shadow effect, contributing to the aridity of the north, while also influencing precipitation patterns throughout the country. In the south, the climate becomes increasingly cool and wet, with strong winds and frequent rainfall. This dramatic variation in climate allows for a wide array of ecosystems and agricultural possibilities, making Chile a land of climatic contrasts.
Viña Requingua:
Located in the Curicó Valley, Viña Requingua is known for its excellent value wines. They produce a wide range of varietals, focusing on expressing the character of the region. Their wines often showcase ripe fruit flavors and approachable styles, making them perfect for everyday enjoyment.
Our Experience:
After arriving straight off the plane (via a shopping centre for emergency clothes) we were greeted by Technical Director Benoit Fitte who drove us to our accomodation for the 2 day stop over at the winery. Stunning houses, a long shared garden with grass as green as our own. We had a whistle stop tour with a history of the vineyards and an amazing visit to one of 2 barrel rooms! Followed by our first tasting of the trip, some fantastic value for money wines under their Casa Santiago label.
The following day we were treated to trip into the vineyards, with Benoit, Sebastian Cabaret, Agricultural Manager and Samuel Montes. The wines we sampled were a perfect example of well made classics. From a Blanc de Blanc to a Syrah/Cab Sauv blend, as well as one of our favorites of the trip, a barrel aged Sauvignon Blanc.
That afternoon, we took a trip up the valley to get a great view of the whole place. It was a real treat for the eyes before we enjoyed a barbecue feast and shared a bottle of Welsh Whiskey to wrap up our stay.
Viña Requingua Wines We Stock
Hacienda Araucano:
This winery Araucano, part of the Lurton family estates, emphasizes biodynamic practices in the Colchagua Valley. They produce premium wines that reflect the unique terroir of the region. Expect elegant and complex wines with a focus on Cabernet Sauvignon and other Bordeaux varietals.
Our Experience:
The stunning winery is set into the hills overlooking the Colchagaua Valley. Excellent wines and hosting with some of the best bio dynamic wines we've had. Grown and harvested using a holistic, ecological approach to farming that goes beyond organic standards, incorporating principles like lunar and planetary cycles to optimize vineyard health and produce wines with unique flavor profiles. Such an attention to detail definitely carries through to the wines.
Viña Dagaz:
This winery, based in the Maipo Valley, produces high quality wines that reflect the unique terrior of the area. They produce wines with great character, and high quality.
Our Experience:
Vina Dagaz Winemaker Marco Puyo greeted us to his hilltop hide away, and jumped straight into a freshly dug hole to give a great explanation of the soil make up of his vineyard. We were treated to an evening tasting his incredible 'high end' reds over looking the Maipo Valley. With 2 stand out wines offering a great alternative to the usual heavy red classification. If your on the lookout for a gift or something extremely nice for the Sunday roast Marcos wines give the elegance and robustness your looking for.
Uruguay: Tannat's Reign?
Uruguay's wine industry is centered around Tannat, a grape variety originally from the Basque region of France. The country's maritime climate and fertile soils provide ideal conditions for growing this robust grape, resulting in wines with intense color, powerful tannins, and complex flavors.
Familia Traversa:
A historic Uruguayan winery, Familia Traversa has been producing wines since 1897. They are known for their classic Tannat wines, as well as other varietals like Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc. They represent a large portion of the Uruguayan wine market.
Our Experience:
After a short flight over to Uruguay we headed to Familia Traversa. Where we met up with 3 generations of the family, all now taking their place in the family business. Some of the more cost effective wines, a good Cab Sauv or Merlot giving great value for money, as well as some fantastic Chardonnays. We often have Familia Traversa as our wine of the week from behind the bar. We feel they offer the quality you'd expect while still being affordable to drink with food or on its own.
Familia Traversa Wine We Stock
https://www.harveyleonards.com/product-page/familia-traversa-merlot
https://www.harveyleonards.com/product-page/finca-traversa-tannat
https://www.harveyleonards.com/product-page/finca-traversa
https://www.harveyleonards.com/product-page/vina-salort-reserva-1
https://www.harveyleonards.com/product-page/vina-salort-tannat
https://www.harveyleonards.com/product-page/vina-salort-reserva
Nakkal Wines:
Santi Degasperi and Nico Monforte have been friends for years and studied oenology together. After individual experiences at renowned companies in Uruguay and abroad, in 2020 they realized their dream of starting a natural wine project.
Our Experience:
Nakkal Wines are making some of the best natural and petnat wines around. Their small operation is yealding some great alternatives to the usual sparkling options. They're taking the natural wines to another level with open tanks taking natural yeasts from the surrounding areas.
As well as the vineyard they're also operating a stunning hybrid bar and shop in the centre of Montevideo.
Familia Bresesti:
This family winery produces a variety of wines, with a focus on Tannat. They are known for producing wines that are great representations of the Uruguayan terrior.
Bodega Bresesti was founded in 1937 by immigrants from the Northern Italian region of Lombardy. Bruno Bresesti, still only in his thirties, is the fourth generation of the family to head up winemaking.
Our Experience:
Bruno has taken the family business into the world of fine wines and what a job he's doing. Bresesti is one of the smaller producers we've visited but the quality is up there with the larger producers. Owed mainly to the passion from Bruno and his family
Familia Bresesti Wines We Stock
Why Explore Chilean and Uruguayan Wines?
Value: Chile offers exceptional value for money, with many high-quality wines available at affordable prices.
Unique Flavors: Uruguay's Tannat wines offer a distinctive and robust flavor profile that is worth exploring.
Diversity: Both countries produce a wide range of varietals and styles, ensuring there's something to suit every taste.
Emerging Regions: Uruguay's wine industry is rapidly developing, offering the opportunity to discover exciting new wines and producers.
Sustainability: Many wineries in both countries are embracing sustainable and biodynamic practices, producing wines that are both delicious and environmentally friendly.
Whether you're a seasoned wine enthusiast or just beginning your wine journey, Chilean and Uruguayan wines offer a world of exciting flavors and discoveries. So, grab a glass and embark on a South American wine adventure!
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