According to a report in the Decanter, Valleys such as the Maipo could be split into three DOs (Denominacións de Origen): 'Alto' for vineyards close to the Andes, Central and Coastal. The changes would reflect the huge variations in soil and climate between the different areas. Chilean wine producers are increasingly planting at higher altitudes near the Andes, and in cooler coastal areas.
The plans could become a reality and become a law within two months, according to Wines of Chile whose President Rene Merino has already met the Minister of Agriculture to discuss the revision of the law which defines Chile's viticultural areas, last revised in 1986. . 'The good thing is that the government is really open to change, and in the way that we want it,' he said.
'The government asked us for our input about how the regions and the law should be changed,' said Merino. 'Previously, it was done by political division. We're trying to change that and to find ways of making the Andes, the central areas and the coast part of our denomination system.'
Wines of Chile is now convening meetings with winemakers, growers and wine producers to discuss the matter further.
Incidentally, 6 Chilean wines found their way in the Wine Spectator Top 100 List, released a couple of weeks ago and reported in delWine. While Lapostolle was the #1 choice,other wineries that won a position too were Casa Marin (San Antonio Valley), Matetic (San Antonio Valley), Morandé (Casablanca and Cachapoal Valleys), Pérez Cruz (Alto Maipo Valley), Santa Rita (Alto Maipo Valley).
Interestingly, these are all cool climate wineries. Some of them including Santa Rita and Perez Cruz were present in India a few months ago at the Chilean Wine Festival at hotel Oberoi, in Delhi and were very much appreciated by the visitors. |