Regions and soils: Southern region

The vineyards of southern Chile had fallen to 8,800 ha/21,750 acres by 2013, split quite evenly between red and white grapes. Formed by Itata, Bío-Bío, and the new Malleco subregion, this region is more open than Maipo and Rapel, lacking the protection of a high coastal range, so that rainfall is higher and average temperature and sunshine hours are lower. By far the most common vine variety is the humble pais, planted on a total of 2,464 ha/6,088 acres and now the object of a strong revival among small producers such as the French winemaker Louis Antoine Luyt (a pioneer in this endeavour), but also by large wineries such as Concha y Toro and VIA Wines. With more than 400 ha/988 acres planted, Cinsault is the region’s latest rising star, especially in the dry-farmed zones of Itata, where it now produces simple, refreshing reds. The most widely planted white wine grape is Moscatel de Alejandría on about 3,000 ha/7,413 acres. Little by little, it is being taken more seriously by wineries such as De Martino who vinify it carefully with fine results. Research in the early 1990s in the Chillán area, however, suggested that, with drip irrigation and appropriate training systems such as the lyre, some good-quality wine from the best-known international varieties could be made here. The proof of that lies in the Mulchén and Negrete areas where wineries such as Cono Sur and Gracia are producing crisp Riesling and ripe Pinot Noir. The embryonic Malleco area showed its mettle with excellent Chardonnay and Pinot Noir made by producers such as Aquitania, William Fèvre, and Alto Las Gredas.