Last time we explored Chile’s Colchagua Valley that is located in the southern part of the Central Valley.
Now, let’s explore one of Chile's most important wine-producing regions, the Maipo Valley that is located just south of the capital, Santiago where Cabernet Sauvignon is its most celebrated wine.
The Maipo Valley was first planted around Santiago in the 1540s, but it wasn't until the 1800s that viticulture really began to expand significantly.
Maipo Valley Climate
Maipo is in the very northern part of Chile's Central Valley. On the west, the Coastal range of mountains separates the Maipo Valley from the Pacific coast, and on the eastern side, the Andes Mountains separate Maipo from the Argentinean region of Mendoza.
Daytime temperatures can be high but the higher altitudes (up to 2500 feet) ensure cooler night-time temperatures. These difference between daytime and night-time temperatures slows down the ripening process, resulting in higher quality grapes and higher quality wines.
The soil also creates challenging growing conditions for the vines, which have to struggle to get to a water source. As a result, the grapes provide concentrated and intense flavors.
Maipo Valley Terroir
The Maipo Valley is divided into the sub-regions of Alto Maipo, Central Maipo, and Pacific Maipo.
Alto Maipo sub-region is in the foothills of the Andes Mountains. The sub-region has a mountainous climate and extremely porous and rocky soil. These conditions place stress on the vines, which results in the production of elegant Cabernet Sauvignon.
Central Maipo is located along the Maipo River and is one of the oldest winemaking regions of Chile. In Central Maipo, Cabernet Sauvignon is the dominant varietal but more recently, winemakers in the region have also begun producing Carmenere wines.
Pacific Maipo is the youngest of the sub-regions in the Maipo Valley. This sub-region has only a few vineyards along the banks of the Maipo River. The grapes grown here benefit from the influence of the Pacific Ocean and the local alluvial soils.
Maipo Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The Cabernet Sauvignon of the Maipo Valley are of high quality and offer tremendous values. They tend to be medium-full to full-bodied with herbal notes and moderate tannin. If you are looking for a Cabernet Sauvignon with red fruit flavors and more delicate notes than the ‘big’ Cabs from Napa, give the wines of the Maipo Valley a try.
Cheers!