Wander Through Chile’s “Terra Andina”

Although oenology was practiced by the ancient Greeks and Romans, its roots in the New World go back only a few hundred years.  In the 1600’s, European explorer ships carried grape vines among their provisions – along with Priests – so the predominantly Catholic Spanish and other early Southern European settlers could have wine for Mass. 

Grapes flourished in South America, and the production of wine could not keep up with the bounty of grapes at wine-makers’ disposal.  In fact, the over-abundance of grapes later led to the creation of Pisco – a spirit made from distilled fermented grape juice – in areas such as modern day Peru and Chile.  Read more about Pisco here.

The transport of the various grape varieties proved extremely valuable for the wine community in the 1800's when Phylloxera (a pest that destroys grape vines) wiped out entire categories of grapes in Europe.  Luckily, some of those grape varieties had already been transported to South America, where they continue to flourish.  Carmenere is one of those types of grape which is now a hallmark in Chilean wine.  Once abundant in France, it now only exists there in a few solitary wine-growing pockets. 

Today, the South American wine industry has an enormous impact on U.S. consumers.  Typically less expensive and more fruit-forward than, their European counterparts, the Chilean, Argentine and Peruvian imports are popular among American wine drinkers. Terra Andina means “ Land of the Andes,” and this Chilean label is led by winemaker Oscar Salas, who produces great bargains for adventurous wine lover. 

For example, I really enjoyed the 2007 Carmenere Reserva, which is a great deal at $12.99 per bottle.  I got notes of raspberries, sour cherries, pepper and spice off the nose, so I paired it with beef short rib alongside garlic & herb orzo and a green salad topped with crumbled blue cheese.  Delectable, bite after bite!  It is important to note that “Reserve” (or “Reserva”) does not mean the same thing in New World wines that it does in, say, French wines.  There are strict rules around when and how a winery may use the term “reserve” in European wines, because it usually is an indicator of something particularly special about that vintage.  However, there are no rules as to when and how other wine regions can use the term.  Nonetheless, this particular wine was delightful and I will drink it again.

I also sampled the 2007 Chardonnay Reserva ($12.99) which I particularly enjoyed, as well. It is made from 100% chardonnay grapes grown in Chile’s renowned Limari Valley region.  The wine is fermented in a combination of new and second use French oak and kept on the lees for several months to enhance its character and increase its body. (It even earned an “outstanding” 90-point rating from WINE SPECTATOR magazine.) 

Other samplings included the 2008 Sauvignon Blanc ($8.99); 2008 Sauvignon Blanc Reserva ($12.99), 2007 Chardonnay ($8.99) and the 2007 Carmenere ($8.99), all of which I’d happily recommend as inexpensive and tasty wines – perfect for a casual evening at home or complement to a holiday party.  Especially because nowadays, a great deal for a good wine is in tune with our modern sensibilities.