The story of Chile’s winemaking history started when vines arrived in the baggage trains by the Spanish conquistadors who entered across the deserts from the north of the country. South America had no native vines of its own, so colonizing invaders planted red and white grapes wherever they settled.

The Pais (known elsewhere as the Mission) played a significant role in Chile’s early winegrowing days. Although most of the vines were ripped out (18,000 acres remain), its still used to produce jug wine. Other early “ancient” vines, Moscatel Rosada and Moscatel de Alejandria are still in cultivation, but nostalgic grapes Aceituno and Huasco are now long extinct.

If you’ve not been, put Chile on your bucket list!

Now on to the wines. Montes Winery makes an Outer Limits line which is quite tasty. Here are a few I think you’d enjoy:

2016 Montes Outer Limits Sauvignon Blanc, Zapallar Coast, Chile ($25)

Aromatic and intense with wonderful layers of passion fruit, peach, and pineapple. The finish is clean with good acidity and balance.

2015 Montes Outer Limits CGM, Colchagua Valley, Chile ($25)

A fruit driven Carignan, Grenache, and Mourvedre (CGM) blend that is bright and spicy with licorice, black pepper and dark chocolate. Finishes long and strong with hints of red fruits.

 

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