Central Valley DO

Region Hierarchy

Chile
- Central Valley DO

Climate(s)

Warm, Moderate

Elevation

Notes

Warm and dry. At altitude, but flat. A large north-south valley south of Santiago. Produces the majority of inexpensive Chilean wines
Chile notes: Generally a dry, sunny growing season. El Niño and La Niña have real effects on wine regions. Most of the regions are sandwiched between coastal mountains and the Andes and get cooling effects from both.
Costa: from the coastal areas
Entre Cordilleras: between the coastal mountains and Andes
Andes: from the foothills

Links

Wiki

Grape(s)

Color	Grape	Notes
Red	Cabernet Sauvignon Grape	Chile notes: Widely grown in Chile Grape notes: High tannins due to thick skin. Buds late and needs a long growing season. Often blended with Merlot to gain softness. Usually destemmed and crushed.
Red	Carménère Grape	Chile notes: Widely grown in Chile and has become its speciality Grape notes: Needs a long, sunny growing season. From Bordeaux, but widely grown in Chile. Often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon
Red	Merlot Grape	Grape notes: Aroma/Flavors vary according to ripeness. Often blended with Cab. Sauvignon to add softness. Buds and ripens early.
Red	Syrah / Shiraz Grape	Grape notes: Shiraz in Australia; all elsewhere Syrah. Small with thick, dark skins.
White	Chardonnay Grape
White	Muscat of Alexandria Grape
White	Pinot Gris (Grigio) Grape	Grape notes: Early budding and ripening. Two main styles: 1. Harvested early. Dry, light body, medium-to-high acidity and simple flavors. 2. Delayed harvesting. Full body, medium acidity and complex flavors.
White	Sauvignon Blanc Grape	Grape notes: This is an aromatic grape; its nose intensity will likely be pronounced.

Wines(s)

Type	Wine	Notes
Still Red	Cabernet Sauvignon Wine	Sometimes blended with Merlot or Carmenere. Herbal (mint) and green pepper with black fruit and oak. Wine notes: Often able to age well.
Still Red	Carménère Wine	Sometimes blended with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Often oaked.
Still Red	Merlot Wine	Soft, medium body, high-volume brands meant for immediate drinking.
Still Red	Red Blend Wine	Wine notes: A blend of various red grapes
Still Red	Syrah (Shiraz) Wine	Wine notes: High tannins due to thick skin
Still White	Chardonnay Wine	Produces both high-volume wines and outstanding quality wines.
Still White	Pinot Grigio Wine (Italy)
Still White	Sauvignon Blanc Wine	Produces inexpensive, high-volume brands.
Still White	White Blend Wine	Wine notes: A blend of various white grapes