Regional info.

Vine growing in Chile is confined to a fairly narrow horizontal section through the centre of this incredibly long and thin country. To the north begins the Atacama dessert; the world's driest place and a wilderness area. To the south the Chilean Lake district is a land of geological wonder (and most definitely on my plans for a future trip) before the Patagonian ice fields and a freezing land of brilliant blue glaciers. It soon becomes obvious why that narrow middle section is the only possible option for grapevine cultivation.

With 6,000 kilometres of Pacific coastline to the west, and the snaking spine of the high Andes mountains forming the border with Argentina to the east, Chile is a natural fortress. The vineyards are mostly in the Central Valley, running north-south between the Andes and the significant, if less impressive, Coastal range. The Andes are the main source of fresh irrigating water, as well as providing cooling air in the evenings. The Humboldt current, racing up from Antarctica, is equally important in creating Chile's dry, almost Mediterranean climate. Sunshine hours are not a problem, though frost can be a danger in Spring months.

Valdivieso is a beautiful old bodega in Macul, inside of the city of Santiago. This is the place where all the sparkling wines were (and still are) produced that made Valdivieso famous. Since the 1980's, Valdivieso also produces a huge range of still wines in the Lontue Valley winery, in Curico region.

The grapes for this blend come from vineyards against the mountains, where the cold draining air from the mountains allows for a slow ripening process. This coupled with the free draining stony alluvial soils of the area provide excellent conditions for the production of flavour concentrated Chardonnay, maintaining a good equilibrium of sugar and acid. Vineyard practises - Spur pruned, fruit thinned prior to veraison; careful canopy management allowing diffuse light movement, yet protecting against direct sun.

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