| Chile has burst onto the wine scene in the past 15 | | | | doesn't offer distinctive flavors under virtually any |
| years. Known for inexpensive, fruit forward | | | | growing conditions. |
| extremely drinkable Cabernet Sauvignon | | | | Carmenere has quickly become Chile's national |
| throughout much of the United States, the Chilean | | | | grape. It's flavors and style come in somewhere |
| wine industry is capable of producing much, much | | | | between Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Many of |
| more. | | | | the stuffy wine drinkers from all over the world |
| Have you had an expensive Chilean Cabernet | | | | would say that Carmenere doesn't offer enough |
| Sauvignon? Most wine drinkers have not....when | | | | delicate flavors to be interesting. At Uncorked |
| they think of expensive Cab they think of Napa | | | | Ventures, we disagree. Carmenere when grown |
| or Bordeaux. Some of the best Chilean Cab's | | | | well can be an interesting wine offering some of |
| though belong in that same company. There are | | | | the structure of Cabernet Sauvignon, while giving |
| some amazing world class Cab's being produced in | | | | the more round mouth feel which is reminiscent |
| Chile, of course the country will always be known | | | | of Merlot. Long a favorite of local eateries and |
| as perhaps the best bet in the $12 and under | | | | dinners, Carmenere is one grape which should |
| category. | | | | catch on soon in international markets. |
| Chile offers some of the warmest growing | | | | White wines in Chile are not nearly as developed. |
| conditions in the world, grapes even under tough | | | | Chardonnay is the clear winner here which isn't |
| conditions will almost always attain maximum | | | | surprising because it is often the white wine grape |
| ripeness. This is definitely not an old world, refined | | | | which is grown along with Cabernet Sauvignon. |
| style of winemaking. | | | | The Chardonnay in Chile is most often grown at |
| There are two other varietals which are produced | | | | cooler temperatures and higher altitutes. It stands |
| in Chile, well perhaps only one. | | | | ready to take the mantle as the next extremely |
| Chilean's have always grown Merlot, well they | | | | affordable wine being imported from Chile. |
| thought it was Merlot. It turns out that some of | | | | Lastly, no conversation of Chilean wine would be |
| the Merlot being grown in Chile, was in fact | | | | complete without mentioning Sauvignon Blanc. |
| Carmenere. It's part of both the beauty and | | | | Clearly the best bet to be the next great Chilean |
| problem with Merlot, it can be grown into almost | | | | wine, Sauvignon Blanc offers some truly |
| anything. That's both good and bad because it | | | | outstanding lime juice and green fruit flavors. |