Sunset over a cabernet sauvignon vineyard in the rolling hills of the cordillera de la costa  maule region. copy

The Many Different Chiles of Chile

featured, Chile

Joaquín Hidalgo, Mar 2020

This is a turbulent period in the history of Chile. The entire country is debating the prospect of a new constitution, which would represent an inflection point between one era and another. These changing times affect the wine industry as much as any other, since, like all cultural products, wine is a reflection of its political, social and economic context. The Chilean wine industry is also undergoing a transformation. But here, unlike the political situation, it’s nothing but good news. That was my first reflection after tasting over 700 wines on a two-week trip across the country...

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New Releases from Chile: The Tail Wags the Dog

featured, Chile

Josh Raynolds, Feb 2017

After years of percolating beneath the surface of an ocean of corporate, albeit frequently well-made wines, Chile’s small-scale winemakers are slowly but steadily rising to the consciousness of wine lovers. At the same time, a number of the country's largest wineries are stepping up their own quality game, making these exciting vinous times for Chile, which for too long was spoken of more for its quality potential than for the actual merit of its wines.

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Chile's New Releases: Growing Diversity and Rising Quality

featured, Chile

Josh Raynolds, Jun 2015

I tasted more top-notch Chilean wines this year than ever before, and at all price points. From racy Sauvignon Blancs that have been catching the lion’s share of the wine trade’s attention to high-end Bordeaux- and Napa-inspired Cabernets and Cabernet-based blends to exciting new Pinot Noirs and Syrahs, there’s something of interest for every palate.

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Focus on Chile

IWC, Chile

Josh Raynolds, Feb 2014

Slowly but surely, Chile has been gaining respect for producing more than just a handful of world-class wines

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Best New Releases from Chile

IWC, Chile

Josh Raynolds, May 2012

The two vintages that make up the bulk of the wines I tasted for our annual report on Chile's wines, 2011 and 2010, posed a number of challenges for the country's growers and winemakers--chiefly, how to make attractive wine from mostly underripe fruit

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New Releases from Chile

IWC, Chile

Josh Raynolds, May 2011

The growth and diversification of the Chilean wine industry continue apace

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New Releases from Chile

IWC, Chile

Josh Raynolds, Mar 2010

As in recent years it was Chile’s sauvignon blancs that impressed me most in my annual tastings, especially at the lower price points, which is great news for consumers who might be looking for alternatives to increasingly pricey New Zealand versions

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The Best New Wines from Chile

IWC, Chile

Josh Raynolds, Mar 2009

One would be hard-pressed to name a country that is producing a wider range of serious wines in the under-$20 category than Chile, especially over the last five years

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The Best New Wines from Chile

IWC, Chile

Josh Raynolds, Mar 2008

While Chile continues to be a very good source of wine values, prices are no longer as consistently attractive at the low end as they were the last time the IWC published coverage of this category, two years ago

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The Best New Wines from Chile

IWC, Chile

Josh Raynolds, Mar 2006

Chile shows signs of being capable of producing high-end wines to compete with the best of the New World