South America has emerged as a vibrant and dynamic wine-producing region, captivating wine enthusiasts with its diverse and high-quality offerings. The continent’s innovative winemaking techniques, unique terroir and a commitment to quality have positioned countries like Chile, Argentina and Uruguay as top choices for wine lovers around the globe. At our monthly wine club in April, we explored some of these regions and their wines. We tried many wines during the evening but here are a few examples you may want to look at yourself as something a little different.
Chile’s wine industry is renowned for its exceptional diversity and consistency. One of Chile’s standout varietals is Carmenère, a grape originally from Bordeaux that has found its true home in Chilean soil. Known for its deep colour, smooth tannins, and distinctive flavours of red fruits and spices, Carmenère has become a symbol of Chilean winemaking excellence. We tried a De Martino Legardo, which was lovely and smooth, showing typical Carmenère characteristics. If you have never tried this grape variety before then it is definitely something to explore.
Argentina is synonymous with Malbec, a grape that has flourished in the high-altitude vineyards of the Andes. The Mendoza region, in particular, is celebrated for producing Malbecs. However, Argentia is much more than just Malbec and we tried Buenas Vidas, specially selected Cabernet Franc for our first red of the evening. A nice change to a Malbec and one that is perfect for drinking now: try it with your pizza this Summer!
While smaller in scale compared to its neighbours, Uruguay’s wine industry is making waves with its distinctive and high-quality offerings. The country’s flagship grape, Tannat, is celebrated for its bold tannins, deep colour, and complex flavours of dark berries and spices. We tried the Pisano Family Selection Grand Reserva Tannat. If you are looking for a bold wine and want to try something a little different then please give this one a go!
Interestingly, all the wines we tried promoted the “sustainable” nature of how their wines were made. This made us question what this actually meant. Broadly, this looks at wine producing methods that are environmentally friendly, socially responsible and economically viable, ensuring vineyards can thrive for generations to come. Farmers embrace techniques such as water conservation, using renewable energy and ethical labour practices to produce their wine.
If you have never tried wines from South America, then please do give them a try as an emerging continent that has plenty to explore.
