Chilean Wine - Winemaking

Winemaking

Chile has benefited from an influx of foreign investment and winemaking talent that began in the late 20th century. Flying winemakers introduced new technology and styles that helped Chilean wineries produce more internationally recognized wine styles. One such improvement was the use of oak. Historically Chilean winemakers had aged their wines in barrels made from rauli beechwood which imparted to the wine a unique taste that many international tasters found unpleasant. Gradually the wineries began to convert to French and American oak or stainless steel tanks for aging.

Financial investment manifested in the form of European and American winemakers opening up their own wineries or collaborating with existing Chilean wineries to produce new brands. These include:

• Robert Mondavi, collaboration with Viña Errázuriz to produce Sena
• Miguel A. Torres, Catalan winemaker opened Miguel Torres Chile in 1979
• Château Lafite Rothschild, collaboration with Los Vascos
• Bruno Prats, Owner of Château Cos d'Estournel, and Paul Pontallier, technical director of Chateau Margaux, opened Domaine Paul Bruno
• Château Mouton Rothschild, collaboration with Concha y Toro Winery to produce Almaviva