The History and Development of Chilean Wines

Abstract

This paper charts the history and development of Chilean wines. The incredible growth of Chile's wine output is a textbook example of how aggressive private enterprise can combine with enthusiastic government backing. In 1988, Chile shipped 185,630 hectolitres abroad. By 1998, this had grown to an impressive 2.3 million hl worth US$500 million. Equally, instead of sending 88% of its wine to Latin America, as it had in the 1980s, in 2001 it sold in high‐profit markets like Europe (41% of all exports), North America (34%) and, increasingly, Asia, where in 1998 Chile sold 14% of its wine. The only country spared from the devastating blight of phylloxera, Chile's wine industry boomed in the early years of the 20th century. In 1981, there were 100,000 hectares (one ha = 2.47 acres) under vines, which sank to 67,000 in 1985, the nadir of the industry. Then, a new sense of identity and purpose swept Chile's winemakers and investors. Suddenly, the wine revolution which had earlier had its impact on California and Australia caught on in Chile. There were gigantic investments in land, plantings and equipment. Old‐fashioned vines were uprooted. In the late 1990s, Cabernet Sauvignon doubled from 11,000 to 20,000 hectares. Merlot vineyard acreage quadrupled between 1994 and 1999, similar growth was seen with Chardonnay and Sauvignon blanc. Winemakers were also experimenting with Pinot Noir and with Shiraz, which loves the dry, hot Chilean autumn. Chile today has 75,600 hectares under vine about two‐thirds of them red grapes. That prime fruit is being pressed by the latest equipment from Europe, Australia and North America.

Resurgence of minority and autochthonous grapevine varieties in South America: a review of their oenological potential

“…Around the 17th and 18th centuries, the varieties Criolla Chica (96.4%), Moscatel de Alejandría, Moscatel Blanco, Moscatel Rosado (3.5%), Mollar Cano (0.1%), and others such as Ferral de America, Cereza de América, and Criolla Grande dominated the viniculture in Argentina . However, as in Chile, there was a rapid transformation of the wine industry during the 1990s when there was a reconversion of these old grapevine varieties to high‐value varieties, mainly coming from France . According to Prieto et al ., Argentina has around 74 195 ha cultivated with autochthonous varieties, representing about 33% of the national vineyard surface, which accounts for a total of 220 848 ha.…”

“…The introduction of recognized varieties such as Malbec, Cabernet‐Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Malbec, among others, led to a competition that lasted for more than a century . Around 1990, most of these old grapevine varieties were uprooted and replaced by these recognized varieties . This type of viticulture based on the cultivation of these renowned grapevine varieties is the one that currently prevails in Chile, accounting for a total vineyard surface of 144 619 ha .…”

“…80 Around 1990, most of these old grapevine varieties were uprooted and replaced by these recognized varieties. 54 This type of viticulture based on the cultivation of these renowned grapevine varieties is the one that currently prevails in Chile, accounting for a total vineyard surface of 144 619 ha. 83 According to the last viticultural report, the grapevine varieties most cultivated in Chile for wine production are Cabernet-Sauvignon (41 156 ha), Sauvignon Blanc (15 162 ha), Merlot (11 703 ha), Chardonnay (11 297 ha), and Carmenère (10 250 ha), whereas the least cultivated grapevine varieties for this same purpose are Gros Colman (0.35 ha), Ahmeur Bou Ahmeur (0.30 ha), Moscatel Rosada (0.25 ha), Gros Manseng (0.04 ha), and Muscat à Petits Grains (0.02 ha).…”

Terroir and typicity of Carignan from Maule Valley (Chile): the resurgence of a minority variety

“…During several centuries (Spanish colonization), both in the Kingdom of Chile and in other territories of the vast Spanish empire, most of the vineyards were cultivated with red varieties, called simply "black grapes" (Lacoste et al, 2010). Around 1990, most of these old grapevine varieties were uprooted (Knowles and Sharples, 2002). In this way, the Cabernet Sauvignon surface doubled from 11,000 to 20,000 hectares.…”

“…Merlot vineyard acreage quadrupled between 1994 and 1999. With respect to white varieties, Chardonnay and Sauvignon blanc exploded, while the "old" grape varieties stagnated (Knowles and Sharples, 2002). This type of viticulture based on renowned grapevine varieties is the one that currently prevails in Chile.…”