The best Chilean wines

After Chile’s 2010 earthquake, my friend Derek convinced the military he was a member of a BBC film crew and that they should fly him to a devastated remote region.

Part humanitarian, part adventurer, part wine obsessive, he’d heard it was a place with wine-growing heritage, now largely forgotten – and he was convinced those ancient vines could help rebuild the community and economy.

Years later, Derek took me to see those vines. Today, he uses the grapes to make Garage Wine Co The Soothsayer’s Ferment Cinsault 2019 (13.5%, £18.95, Slurp).

It’s probably my favourite Chilean wine: a smoky red that’s great with grills. But in many ways not very... Chilean.

Several things about Chile aren’t very ‘Chilean’. It’s a ‘New World’ winemaking country that’s been doing it since the mid-16th century: its 19th-century independence hero, the fabulously named Bernardo O’Higgins, hid in the cellars of Santa Rita, one of the country’s biggest producers.

Chile’s unusual shape makes it one of the most interesting places to make wine.

It takes five hours to fly top to bottom but as little as seven minutes to fly across. A tweak left or right, or up and down, gives winemakers different climates, earlier or later harvests, sun in the morning or afternoon. 

The cold Pacific is to the left, the Andes to the right, the Antarctic to the south, and the driest desert in the world in the north. And even that has a wine region next to it. 

5 best Chilean wines

Nowadays, Chile is best known for its great value. But being described as ‘the Volvo of winemaking countries’ – dependable but hardly thrilling – is a blessing and a curse.

1. Cono Sur Bicicleta Viognier

RRP: £7, Tesco

However, who’s complaining with white wines like Cono Sur Bicicleta Viognier?

It’s even better value now (by 32p) because a lower alcohol level (11%) means it drops down a duty band. But it’s lost none of its exotic fruit and spice.

2. Luis Felipe Edwards Signature Series Viognier

RRP: £8.99, Majestic

Look out also for the Luis Felipe Edwards Signature Series Viognier, a crisper, pear-scented style, and fabulously versatile at 13.5%.

3. Tierra Y Hombre Pinot Noir

RRP: £7, M&S

Or head to M&S/Ocado for M&S Tierra Y Hombre Pinot Noir, a juicy red with berries and a hint of spice. Chill for ten minutes before serving.

This is arguably as good value Pinot Noir as you’ll find anywhere in the world (13.5%).

4. Lote 03 Limarí Valley Chardonnay from De Martino

RRP: £18.99, Vintage by Saga

If you’re looking for classy wine at excellent prices head to Limarí, a region between the Atacama desert (hot and dry) and the Pacific Ocean (cold, foggy).

You’ll find fine, elegant whites such as Lote 03 Limarí Valley Chardonnay from De Martino (13%) with a refined, citrus and white flower scent.

5. Undurraga TH Sauvignon Blanc Limarí Valley 2021

RRP £15.50,The Wine Society

Also from the region is Undurraga TH Sauvignon Blanc Limarí Valley 2021. This has more serious flint and steel to its refined melon fruit. And it’s one of the country’s finest Sauvignons.

It’s not hard to imagine that soon they’ll be making some of the world’s finest Sauvignons. More Jaguar than Volvo, perhaps?