Characteristics of the Colchagua Valley wines
The Colchagua Valley constitutes one of the cornerstones of wine not only in Chile, but also in the world. So much so, that it is designated as a wine-growing area (when not agricultural) rather than anything else.
Hence, there is a great abundance of vineyards in the Colchagua Valley, each of which offers particular characteristics to the grapes that are planted in this sector and, consequently, to the wines produced in this area.
Let us review some characteristics of this valley and the best Colchagua’s wines.
Chile’s Central Valley: the country’s agricultural capital
The Central Valley of Chile begins in the Region of Valparaiso, passing through the Metropolitan Region, then crossing through Libertador Bernardo O’Higgins and Maule Regions, to finally end in the Bio Bio Region. Geographically, it is delimited to the north by the Chacabuco slope and by the BiobÃo River to the south.
It is considered an ideal area for human animal and plant life thanks to its pleasant temperatures, its fertile lands and its abundant waters, all of which have contributed considerably to the agricultural development of the country. Likewise, Chile’s Central Valley concentrates, by far, the majority of the country’s population.
The Central Valley is divided into four minor zones:
- Maipo Valley.
- Rapel Valley.
- Curicó Valley.
- Maule Valley.
Among these, the Rapel Valley is subdivided into two more valleys: the Cachapoal Valley and the Colchagua Valley, this last one being larger and more heterogeneous than the first one, which is why it stands as the favourite of many vineyards.
What is the Colchagua Valley?
As its name indicates, this area consists of a valley, that is, a flat terrain surrounded by higher surfaces, commonly hills and mountains. Therefore, it is common for valleys to be watered by waters coming from the Andes Mountain Range, an effect caused by the lower slope in the valley itself. This is the first characteristic in favor of the Colchagua Valley vineyards.
In addition, the Colchagua Valley is an appellation of origin that refers to the wines from that area. All of the above is regulated by decree 56 of 2017 of the Ministry of Agriculture, which indicates that this valley includes the provinces of Colchagua and Cardenal Caro, areas whose most important city is San Fernando.
Characteristics of Colchagua wines
The best Colchagua wines are those whose production is as faithful as possible to the benefits that this area offers, considering the climate, nutrients in its soils, light and other factors. Thus, the vineyards in the Colchagua Valley are known for producing full-bodied red wines. There are four main grape varieties produced in this valley:
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Syrah
- Carmenere
- Merlot
Due to the prompt expansion of the wine industry that this area has experimented, today it is possible to see various plantations on the very slopes of the valley, at the foot of the Andean Mountain Range. Towards the west, in what would be the province of Cardenal Caro (whose capital is Pichilemu), the influence of the sea on production is more noticeable, particularly its cooling, which facilitates the production of white wines. This zone is ideal for the production of cool weather grape varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir.
Finally, in general terms and thanks to the characteristics of this valley, Colchagua wines stand out for their quality and body, presenting themselves as an opportunity to discover the wide range of aromas offered by the wines from this area.