Wines of USA

American wine has been produced for over 300 years. Today, wine production is performed in all fifty states, with California leading the way in wine production followed by Washington State, Oregon and New York. The United States is the fourth largest wine producing country in the world after France, Italy, and Spain. The production in the U.S. State of California alone is more than double of the production of the entire country of Australia.  (see American Viticultural Area )

Following the repeal of Prohibition, the federal government allowed each state to regulate the production and sale of alcohol in their own state. For the majority of states this lead to the development of a three-tier distribution system between the producer, wholesaler and consumer. Depending on the state there are some exceptions, with wineries allowed to sell directly to consumers on site at the winery.

In the United States, at least 95% of grapes must be from a particular vintage for that year to appear on the label. Prior to the early 1970s, all grapes had to be from the vintage year. All labels must list the alcohol content based on percentage by volume. For bottles labeled by varietal at least 75% of the grape must be of the varietal. In Oregon, the requirement is 90%. American wine labels are also required to list if they contain sulfites and carry the Surgeon General's warning about alcohol consumption.

Wines of Chile

West of the Andes, Chile's climate varies from the heat of the arid, rocky, mountainous desert to the north and the icy, Antarctic expanse in the south. Midway between the two are the warm, fertile valleys that are home to this nation's vineyards. Although, like many New World nations Chile has only made an impact on the foreign market in the past decade, viticulture has been established here for centuries. There are a wide selection of international varieties planted, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay and others. In truth, much of what was once thought to be Merlot has recently been identified as Carmenère, a rarely planted variety of Bordeaux. Many wineries are offering varietal Carmenère, although many also continue to blend it with the correctly identified Merlot.

With five centuries of wine-making experience behind them, it's no wonder that Chilean winemakers are harvesting the benefits of hard work, a pleasant climate, good soils and perseverance in the wide - and growing - scope of their wines.  Some of the wonderful varities of Chilean wine include Riesling, Semillón, Shiraz, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Pinot Noir, Carmenère, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Verdot, Viogner, Gewürztraminer,Chenin Blanc and others.  Not all of the wineries are old and established enterprises. A number of small, boutique wineries are gaining recognition. (see Wine Regions of Chile )

Wines of Argentina

Eyeing up the success of Chilean wines on the foreign market, and faced with a drop in consumption by the home market, Argentinean winemakers have been keen to increase their exports. The slow arrival of Argentinean wines abroad does not signify a lack of produce, however, as few countries have more land committed to viticulture. Until recently, though, the vast majority of the somewhat questionable wine produced was consumed by the thirsty Argentineans. The pulling up of perhaps a third of the vineyards in existence, followed by some selective replanting of quality varieties was the first step towards the production of quality wine suitable for the wine drinkers of North America and Europe.

Argentina has one other significant aide to an increase in exports. Like Carmenère in Chile, Argentina has its own French variety, Malbec. This grape, historically thought of as a minor Bordeaux variety, as well as playing a role in the appellations of the south-west of France, such as Cahors, is behind some of Argentina's top reds. Argentina has another interesting grape, Torrontés, a white variety with some character. With good winemaking this variety can produce fresh and aromatic wines, not unlike those made from Muscat.  (See

American Viticultural Area

American AVA

An American Viticultural Area is a designated wine grape-growing region in the United States distinguishable by geographic features, with boundaries defined by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), United States Department of the Treasury. The TTB defines AVAs at the request of wineries and other petitioners. There were 198 AVAs as of January, 2010.  Prior to the installation of the AVA system, wine appellations of origin in the United States were designated based on state or county boundaries. All of these appellations were grandfathered into federal law and may appear on wine labels as designated places of origin, but these appellations are distinct from AVAs.

Unlike most European wine appellations of origin, an AVA specifies only a geographical location from which at least 85% of the grapes used to make a wine must have been grown.

List of American AVAs:

Wine Regions of Chile

Chile’s appellation system, known as Denomination of Origin (Denominación de Orign) or D.O. is divided as follows, from north to south:

Region: Coquimbo
Sub-Region: Elqui
Sub-Region: Limarí
Sub-Region: Choapa

 Region: Aconcagua
Sub-Region: Aconcagua
Sub-Region: Casablanca
Sub-Region: San Antonio
Zones: Leyda, Lo Abarca

 Region: Central Valley
Sub-Region: Maipo
Sub-Region: Rapel
Zone: Cachapoal
Zone: Colchagua
Sub-Region: Curicó
Sub-Region: Maule

 Region: Southern Regions
Sub-Region: Itata
Sub-Region: Bío Bío
Sub-Region: Malleco

Elqui & Limarí Valley

Five hundred kilometers from Santiago, the Elqui Valley forms the northern borderline of Chile´s wine regions. Climate conditions for growing wine are excellent: hot, a bit windy and dry, with only 130 mm rainfall yearly. An integrated irrigation system (big water tanks being connected by canals with one another) and nutrient-rich, water-storing and heavy soils provide harvests of ripe and sweet grapes that are used in the pisco production, a brandy considered as Chile´s national drink. Mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carmenère, Chardonnay and some Syrah are cultivated.

Aconcagua Valley

A hundred kilometers north of Santiago the Aconcagua river flows through the Central Valley from east to west. The river rises near the mountain of the same name, an almost 7000 m high Andean peak, and flows into the Pacific, close to Valparaíso. The Mediterranean climate of the Aconcagua Valley provides hot days and cool humid nights – ideal conditions for viticulture. Its soils are sandy and rocky, rich in minerals and in organic river sediments. Since 1870, wine has been cultivated in the region. Next to a couple of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the Syrah of Viña Errázuriz has become a successful wine. Though only a bit more than ten percent of the vine acreage are cultivated by Syrah, it is considered as being a characteristic wine of the Aconcagua Valley.

Casablanca Valley

Lying in between the Andes and coastal mountain range, the rather cooler Casablanca Valley is located about 60 km from Santiago at the mainroad to the Pacific. The climate is strongly influenced by the sea, providing constant humid air due to a heavy morning fog. Soils are natural, clayey and rich in minerals of the Andean snowmelt. The cooler climate make Casablanca ideal for cultivating white grapes. Almost three fourth of the acreage is Chardonnay. Furthermore, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Merlot are characteristic for the Casablanca Valley. Riesling, that is rarely found in Chile, is cultivated amounting to an acreage of 4.000 hectares. 

It was first recognized as a special place to cultivate wine in the early 1980s when the oenologist Pablo Morandé compared the clayey soils and humid coast climate to the conditions of California that he was familiar with. In addition to the production of quality export wines, there are first initiatives to produce organic wine.

San Antonio Valley

Close by to the seaport San Antonio and one hour drive to Santiago, San Antonio is a new discovery of Chile´s wine regions with exciting potential. For ten years and an ever increasing success, wines are being produced in the Valley such as exclusive Sauvignon Blancs, Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs. Soils are generally clay-loam and dry. Climatic conditions are strongly influenced by the ocean. The first wineries established in the San Antonia Valley were Matetic, Garcés Silva and Casa Marín. Looking for ways to differentiate their wines, the wineries contribute to an outstanding characteristic wine production of this region. That is how the first Syrah in a humid-cool climate and the best Pinot Gris of Chile was produced. Appealing creations such as the Merlot-Malbec of Matecic come from the San Antonio Valley. Since 2002, this region is one of several recognized wine-producing areas with the official seal D.O. (Denominación de Origen).

Maipo Valley

Close to the capital Santiago, the Maipo Valley is the birthplace of Chile´s wine production. To this day, it is the best known wine region of Chile. The Maipo Valley produces the most successful export wines in the country and features the most important dates of viticultural tradition: in 1555, when the first wine production of Chile was officially recognized and certificated; the introduction of French grape varieties from 1851 to 1994; and eventually the rediscovery of the long mistaken Carmenére grape variety.

The climate in the Maipo Valley is stabil with hot dry summers and short mild winters of not more than 450 mm rainfall. There are extreme differences in day and night temperatures with hot days and cool nights. High in the hills, there is morning frost that provides ideal conditions for the sun-loving red wine grapes. A total acreage of 10.000 hectares are cultivated by 8.000 hectares of red varieties, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carmenére, Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Malbec; whereas the remaining 2.000 hectares are cultivated by traditional white varieties, such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Semillón.
The natural soils are rich in minerals, sandy-clayey and highly permeable. There is a traditional irrigation system of canals using the waters of the Andean snowmelt. The drip-irrigation method is not very common.

Located well protected in between the Andes and coastal mountain range, the Valley is crossed by the two major rivers Maipo and Mapocho. Depending on climate, soil composition and altitude, the Maipo wine region is sub-divided into three cultivation areas: Maipo Alto, Maipo Medio and Maipo Costa. The Valley of Maipo Medio (550 m a.s.l.) has the most sun, producing one of the smoothest and fruitiest red wines. In the higher and cooler regions of Maipo Alto, more complex wines with well structured tannins are being produced. Close to the coastal mountain range with fresh winds, Maipo Costa produces wines of an elegant acid structure.

Cachapoal Valley

About a hundred km south of Santiago, there is the Rapel Valley that centers two of the best-known and internationally recognized wine regions of Chile: the Cachapoal Valley criss-crossed by the Cachapoal River South of Rancagua, and the Colchagua Valley irrigated with Tinguiririca River water. Imbedded among hills of the coastal mountain range, there is the old colonial town of Santa Cruz (see below). The region is characterized by a Mediterranean climate of the Chilean Central Valley, consisting of hot summers, mild winters and extreme differences in day and night temperatures. Regions with characteristic microclimates (depending on the proximity to the Pacific and the Andes) create favorable conditions for a number of grape varieties. Soils are natural, rich in minerals with sandy layers and lime-stone parts in places. The majority of the principal grape varieties grow here, such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Carmenére and Malbec). Particula rly successful had been the rather low-yielding and less cultivated varieties Merlot and Carmenére.

The Cachapoal Valley, particularly Alto Cachapoal close to the coastal mountain range, have been the center of attention among French investors and wine lovers. Many famous winegrower families from Bordeaux, Alsace and the Loire region have either merged with long-established Chilean winemakers or have built up their own wineries to produce quality red wine of French character. The wine route Alto Cachapoal is easily accessible and lined with many famous wineries, such as those of Altair, Morandé, Anakena, Misiones de Rengo, or Chateau Los Boldos. The famous red varieties (Merlot and Carmenére) are deeply concentrated, fruity and a bit sweet with rich flavors of chocolate and jelly.

Close to Santiago, this wine region is of special interest for visitors who have little time but want to see more than the wineries within reach of Santiago. In the nearby Andes, there is a winter sports center and a number of beautiful nature protection areas. The natural hot springs of Cauquenes invite visitors to relax in their soothing waters. The former mining city of Sewell is accessible from the wine route.

Colchagua Valley

The Tinguiririca river valley has similar climatic and edaphological characteristics as the neighboring Cochopoal Valley: Mediterranean temperatures, well protected and sunny wineries, clayey soils rich in minerals. Both regions form the Rapel Valley that produces premium quality Chilean wines: Montes Alpha, Folly and Clos Apalta. This cultivation area is known all over the world for producing value wines, for preserving Chilean cultural traditions and customs, and for providing good offers in wine tourism. In 2005, the American magazine “Wine Enthusiast “ nominated the Colchagua Valley as “Wine Region of the Year”.

Curico Valley

Curico is the most southerly wine region, about 220 km from Santiago. It is characterized by a moderate Mediterranean climate with hot summer days and cool humid nights. The winter is influenced by the high pressure area of the Pacific that experiences with 720 mm more rainfall yearly than the Rapel Valley. Soils are flat, eroded, rich in minerals and highly permeable. In higher locations, soils are sandy and stony. Many irrigation canals cross the valley and are fed by the Rivers Teno and Lontue. This region comprises the biggest acreage of white grape varieties in the country.

The Curico Valley incorporates a total acreage of 18.000 hectares. In descending order, the grape varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Chardonnay are being cultivated. The origins of wine cultivation in Curico go back to the winegrowing family Correa Albano who introduced noble French grape varieties in 1851 to this region. Close to the town of Molina, there is the third biggest winery in Chile, Vina San Pedro. The Curico Valley is center of attention that features one of the biggest technologic accomplishments of Chilean viticulture: in the early 1980s, the Spanish oenologist Miguel Torres stored wine in stainless steel tanks for the first time, giving impetus to a fundamental modernization in this sector.

Maule Valley
Located 260 km south of Santiago there is the wine region of the Maule Valley. Next to the Maipo Valley, this region is the only one that can claim the title of being the “cradle of Chilean viticulture”.  In fact, origins of viticulture in this rather cool river valley between the Andes and coastal mountains go back to the Spanish conquistadors who arrived in the 16th century and cultivated the país grape in the Maule Valley. To date, 8.500 hectares of a total acreage of 31.000 hectares (the biggest in Chile) are cultivated by the red país grape. The cool climate, in winter a rainy Mediterranean climate and heavy clayey soils high in acidity cause low-yielding results. In return, valueable wines are grown here. All popular red and white grape varieties are cultivated in the Maule Valley, red wine being the most valueable of all (Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenére, Merlot and Malbec). Soils close to rivers tend to produce fruitier wines than those lcoated a t slopes.

The Maule Valley distinguishes three principal cultivation areas: Valle de Río Claro, Valle de Loncomilla and Valle de Tutuvén. The latter presents a lesser-known facet of Chilean viticulture: the traditional dry cultivation of grapevines dominates here (the vines are irrigated by rainfall only). Vines of simple grape varieties as país or moscatel do not stand in lines but are grown in bush or gobelet form.

Itata Valley

One of Chile´s traditional winegrowing regions is located 400 km south of Santiago and 50 km east of Concepción. In recent years, winegrowers started to produce value wines of good quality next to the mass production of simple table wines. That is why an acreage of 10.000 hectares is cultivated by rustic grape varieties (país and moscatel). In the past five years, an acreage of 1.000 hectares is cultivated by Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. The climate in the Itata Valley, that is crossed by the rivers Itata and Ñuble, tends to have cool and windy summer days and rainy winters. Soils are sandy and rich in minerals, promoting high-yielding varieties. Vast forests alternate with green wineries located on slopes between the Andes and coastal mountains.

Bio Bio Valley

The Bio Bio Valley is situated some 500 km south of Santiago at the very southerly edge of viable grape growing. As in the neighboring Itata Valley the rustic grape varieties país and moscatel have been cultivated for centuries. To this day, a mass production of simple table wines is the basis of viticulture in the Bio Bio Valley. Building on experience acquired in Itata and Limarí, value wines are produced in a number of wineries. Throughout the whole year, it is quite cool and very windy with a rainfall of 1.100 mm. Soils are natural-sandy and stony, mineral and organic river sediments turn them into fertile and high-yielding land. These conditions are particularly favorable for the cultivation of noble grape varieties that need lengthy ripening periods and give great acidity and freshness to the wines: Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Riesling and Chardonnay. wineries that are committed to produce value white wines in this wine region are: Carpe Diem, Don Francisco or VinSu r. Viña Canata, a traditional family run winery, boasts the world´s most southerly winery.

Wine Regions of Argentina

Mendoza
This is Argentina's powerhouse and centre of quality accounting for over 80% of total production (or to put it another way, over half of the entire wine production of South America). Producers like Luigi Bosca, Etchart, Finca Flichman, Bodegas Lurton, Norton, Catena and Weinert make fine Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay with increasingly impressive Syrahs and Malbecs. Many have been subject to foreign investment from top European houses. Some superb Malbecs are being made in the sub-region of Luján de Cuyo, from producers like Fabre Montmayou. Tupungato is a new quality sub-region, largely developed by the giant Peñaflor winery (for their premium Trapiche label).

Salta
Sitting in the very far north of the country, Salta is a region of generally high quality with fine Cabernets Sauvignons and, especially Torrontés in the Cafayate sub-region. Etchart has a winery here, but other notable producers are Finca Colomé and Michel Torino.     

Neuquen and Rio Negro
These regions lie at the southern end of wine production, in the fringes of Patagonia. Both are regions to watch closely, the latitude of the south allows cool-climate varieties like Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir to shine as well as Malbec, but high quality sparkling wines, often made in association with Champagne houses, show promise.

San Juan and La Rioja
These long-standing regions were known for producing plenty of wine, but as yet mostly of mediocre quality from uninspiring grapes, and for purely local consumption. But as is the case throughout Argentina, quality is improving and some excellent quality wines now emerge from the La Riojana cooperative amongst others