Great, Affordable Chilean Wine

Chilean wines have improved year after year making them a favorite of mine and most of my friends. The fertile soil high in the hills makes for great land to grow grapes and the quality and the way in which they are grown has improved as new techniques are brought to Chile. The Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Carmenere that comes from the country of Chile are my personal favorites. Partially due to the improved quality and fullness these wines have and partly because of the cost. When you put any of these wines produced in Chile next to their counterparts from other locales they are comparable in flavor, sometimes better, but a much better value for your money.

For example, Chile has become the leading producer of Carmenere which has only recently been introduced in Chile. The grape was unable to be produced elsewhere but does extremely well in the fertile soil that Chile possesses. The Central Valley in Chile also known as the Maipo District is where it is best grown.

The following reviews are of Chilean Wines that I have personally tried and enjoyed with family and friends. I have added some recommendations of food that is good paired with each wine. I think it is important for anyone who is just starting to collect wine or if you are just looking to stock up for a party to try the wine before you buy a large amount. Wine is a very personal preference, what I may think is great might just be passable to you.

2004 Santa Rita Maipo Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Medella Red

This red wine is my favorite among all the Chilean wines. I like it because it is straight full bodied red wine, complex but still simple and concentrated. Very fruity red wine with black cherry, blackberry and a slight minty flavors. A bottle can be found for under $20. Try pairing this wine with pasta with heavy meat sauce or lamb.

2003 Luis Felipe Edwards Colchagua Valley Carmenere

This very complex wine is a surprisingly great wine for the price. It is very full bodied and intense with hints of blackberry and licorice. The herb scent is not too overwhelming on the wine or the food you pair with it. Try pairing this selection with heavy meats like steak or roast beef. A bottle can be found for $9.

2005 Casillero del Diablo central Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

This selection is pure straightforward wine. This rich wine has several layers of flavor and very fruity with hints of blackberry and black plum. A bottle can be found for $10 and pairs well with medium and rare steak.

2002 Merlot Peumo Marques de Casa Concha

This great bottle of Merlot will only run you around $20. This selection is very concentrated and rich with flavors of ripe black berries and plums. What I like the most about this wine though is the rich chocolate flavor and the oak taste from the aging process. 2003 Veramonte Primus Casablanca Valley

What makes this wine so good is that it is a combination of three types of wine 43% Merlot, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 21% Carmenere. The chocolate flavor and oak flavors come from the barrels the wine is aged in. This wine is extremely full bodied and rich due to the mixture of wines. Has a distinct blueberry taste with a hint of vanilla. This treat can be experienced for under $20.