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