Gastronomy
Chilean cuisine is a reflection of the country’s topographical variety, influenced by the French, Italian and German cuisine. According to the Indian tradition, corn is the staple diet. Seafood from the South of the country is really delicious even if this region is more and more influenced by the Argentinian meat-eating customs.
Anyway you will be delighted with the quality of the products!
Chilean wines
Chilean wine is known as the best of the continent especially thanks to its tasty Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenere.
The Carmenere grapes are almost exclusive of Chile because this European grape variety was affected in the 19th century by the phylloxera which is a type of vine destructive aphid. The only country in not being affected was Chile.
The Chilean valleys have an ideal combination of factors that allows Chile to be leader in the sector: a quality land, lot of sun, adapted temperatures and humidity rates. Therefore Chile is now positioned as the archetypal wine-producing country of the New World.
The modern wine producing methods appeared in the 1850’s when wealthy owners from Santiago made great French oenologists come to Chile. After the end of Pinochet’s dictatorship, Chile could finally export its wines in large quantities to the Western markets.
The main great wineries:
- Errázuriz
Errázuriz is the only important estate based in the Aconcagua Valley. Its best wines are :
Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva "Don Maximiano", the prestige wine of the winery and
Oaked Merlot Reserva.
- Undurraga, winery founded in 1885.
It is known for its Sauvignon, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Riesling. It is one of the rare winery in cultivating the Pinot Noir, not only for a red wine but also for a light and subtle effervescent wine.
- Santa Rita is a 200 ha winery situated in the regions of Maípo, Rapel, Maulé, and Casablanca.
Whereas Maípo and Rapel produce fruity and matronly wines, Casablanca and Maulé are perfect for white wine producing.
The Cabernet Sauvignon « Casa Real » is a recent creation which has become the wine prestige of the winery. It has been designed for a long preservation and is now considered as one the most complex and well-structured Chilean red wines.
- Cousiño Macul, is based in Maípo and is one of the oldest Chilean wineries: today the sixth winegrower generation cultivates its own vine stocks which are derived from stocks imported in 1858. The winery is also one of the most traditional and yet gives us one of the best wines in Chile.
- Concha y Toro is finally the biggest producer of the country and the first exporter towards the USA.
Its head office is situated in Pirque and is one of the rare wine touristic major places in Chile.
The winery has two well-known ranges: Casillero del Diablo and Casa Concha.
