Taste South American Cabernet: Chile vs. Argentina
We’re traveling to popular appellations in South America for our next Premium Wine Club adventure! Discover four premium red wines from the Southern Hemisphere in this upcoming wine subscription. Three bottlings are crafted from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, with the fourth blend is made with a generous dose of Malbec wine.
These wines are vibrant expressions of the country’s terroir and are highly-rated from wine critics like James Suckling and Tim Atkin. To learn more about wine ratings to further help you identify high quality premium wines and increase your chances of enjoying your wine experience, read our blog post, “Wine Ratings And What They Really Mean.”
Can you taste the difference from two different sides of the Andes Mountains? We’re going to find out together in real time at our expert-led virtual wine tasting!
Explore The History: South America Winemaking
All four wineries in this tasting have over 400 collective years of history! Founded in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, they’ve been perfecting their craft since the advent of modern winemaking in South America.
The wine industries of Argentina and Chile have a unique history that dates back to the late 1800s when the Phylloxera insect wreaked havoc on the vineyards of Europe. This unfortunate event forced French and Italian winemakers to seek opportunities in the Southern Hemisphere, where they found refuge in the high elevations and isolation of South America. Remarkably, the continent avoided the Phylloxera infestation. To this day, there are still original vines planted over 100 years ago. This has resulted in a one-of-a-kind wine experience that showcases the resilience and ingenuity of the appellations‘ winemakers.
Elevate Your Palate: New World Wine Regions
Argentina is one of the most important wine-producing countries in the New World, and the largest producer of wine in South America. The high altitude deserts of the eastern Andes Mountains have given rise to a high quality wine industry. Wines produced at this elevation are more herbaceous and peppery, interwoven with layers of spice and mineral.
The Mendoza wine region is widely considered to be the most important wine region in Argentina, gaining this reputation as it accounts for almost two-thirds of the entire wine production in the country.
Just west of Argentina and averaging only 120 miles wide, Chile’s topography and climate are very similar to that of Northern California. The Colchagua Valley is known for its rich, ripe Cabernets brimming with purple fruit and spice.
Colchagua Valley’s desirable terroir has made this one of Chile’s most important wine regions. A coastal mountain range blocks cool air currents and weather systems from the Pacific, keeping the interior of the country warm, dry and sunny. The steep slopes on the edges of the coastal mountains are proving to be the most desirable spots for viticulture.
Today, Chile and Argentina are ranked #5 and #6 in world wine production. Separated by 230 miles of the Andes Mountains, the two countries are worlds apart, yet share a lot in common. This month’s Premium Wine Club tasting set journey will give us a taste of both at their best!
Special Virtual Wine Tasting Co-Host
Our online wine tasting on May 18, 2023 will feature a guest wine expert, Lizzy Butler, who has spent extensive time working for prominent wineries in both Chile and Argentina. Lizzy also leads wine industry trips in Chile during the harvest. Her hands-on experience with and knowledge of South American wine will undoubtedly bring more depth and life to the wines for our club members.
Subscribe to the WTSO monthly wine club today and join in on these four premium wines at our upcoming community virtual tasting!
I would love to do a tasting at one of your events
Rose, you can join our Premium Wine Club at any time to attend a virtual tasting event! Find more information here: https://www.wtso.com/wine-subscription