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Chile: radical appellation overhaul
November 26, 2008
Richard Woodard
Chile is set to undertake a radical overhaul of its winemaking appellations.
The move is a bid to better reflect the growing diversity of the country's wine styles.
Valleys such as the Maipo could be split into three DOs (Denominacións de Origen): 'Alto' for vineyards close to the Andes, plus central and coastal.
The plans could be enshrined in law within two months, according to Wines of Chile.
The changes would reflect the huge variations in soil and climate between the different areas. Chilean wine producers are increasingly planting at higher altitudes near the Andes, and in cooler coastal areas.
'I think it's more interesting to look to both sides – to the Andes and to the coast – because the soils are more interesting and the climate is more interesting,' said Viña Ventisquero chief winemaker Felipe Tosso.
Wines of Chile president Rene Merino has already met the Minister of Agriculture to discuss the revision of Decree 464, the law which defines Chile's viticultural areas, last revised in 1986.
'The government asked us for our input about how the regions and the law should be changed,' said Merino. 'Previously, it was done by political division. We're trying to change that and to find ways of making the Andes, the central areas and the coast part of our denomination system.'
Wines of Chile is convening meetings with winemakers, growers and wine producers this week to discuss the matter further.
Merino said the changes could be made law within a couple of months. 'The good thing is that the government is really open to change, and in the way that we want it,' he said.
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