Regions and soils: Maipo

The most famous wine region in Chile just south of the capital Santiago is not one of the largest. In 2012, some 12,971 ha/32,052 acres of vines were recorded, with a clear predominance of red over white grapes. Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay were the most widely planted, although Merlot, Carmenère, and Sauvignon Blanc are also important. Annual rainfall averages just 300 mm/12 in a year, most of it falling in the winter. irrigation is common, although the water can be quite high in salt around the Maipo river from which the region takes its name. potassium levels tend to be low throughout the region. Maipo is famous for producing Chile’s most lauded Cabernet Sauvignon and some producers such as William Fèvre have begun planting up in the Andes as high as 1,000 m elevation with encouraging preliminary results.