Region Report- Casablanca Valley
Casablanca Valley
Chilean Wine Region-Aconcagua
The Casablanca Valley along with Aconcagua Valley comprises the two
sub-regions in the Aconcagua wine region in Chile. The first vine was noted in
the 1980’s when oenologist Pablo Morande’ noted that the climate in Casablanca
was similar to the conditions in the California wine region with its cool
climate vineyards. A lot of tourists on the wine route 68 from Santiago to
Valparaiso passed right by Casablanca which increased its exposure. The first
cool-climate coastal region with a cool fog that rolls in in the morning and
then bright sunshine in the afternoon contributes to producing crisp, fresh
wines that are world renowned. It has a unique, long and thin territory. Ten
miles inland from the ocean and with the fog delaying sunlight hours leads to a
prolonged ripening period. The cold Humboldt Current flows from the Antarctica,
the cool night air descends from the snow covered peaks of the Andes. Cooler
places make wine naturally with a lower alcohol content which is easier to
drink. This cool Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and cold, rainy
winters are exactly what the vines love. The bright sunny days with
temperatures that dip at night help to create an oscillation that wine grapes
need to develop fresh, fruit flavors, crisp acidity and in the red wine the
ripe tannins which contribute to their deep colors.
The unique geography of Chile with the Atacama Desert to the north, the
Andes Mountains to the east, the Patagonian ice fields to the south and the
Pacific Ocean to the west provide healthy conditions that protect the vineyards
against pests and disease. Wine made from rich red grapes, like the Cabernet
Sauvignon thrive in this type of environment. The soils come in a variety of
origins and textures and include clay, sand, silt and granite which contain
minerals of the Andean snowmelt. They provide continuous water for irrigation
flows. Granite in the soil is porous and vine roots push down absorbing the
minerals. This creates ideal cultivating, growing regions lasting up to a month
longer before harvesting in April. The vineyards, due to climate and natural
barriers are sustainable and have some of the largest organic vineyards in the
world.
Casablanca grape varieties include star reds like Cabernet Sauvignon a
simple fruity to full bold and luscious wine, Merlot a soft textured fruity
wine that’s easy to drink, Malbec/Cot a lush textured wine, Pinot Noir charming
and seductive to Cabernet Franc, a French varietal that lends acidity and
finesse to Bordeaux-style blends. The white varietals include Sauvignon Blanc a
zesty citrusy wine that’s great with fish and salads, Chardonnay a world
favorite smooth acidic tropical fruity wine, Riesling a fuller bodied higher
alcohol wine that’s fresh and fruity and pairs great with spicy food to
Viognier a rich aromatic peachy wine. The top three are Sauvignon Blanc which
encompasses approximately 4,819 acres , Chardonnay 5,607 acres and Pinot Noir
1,787. All three thrive on the climate in Casablanca and currently there are
approximately 13 wineries in this area. This region is known for its quality
and organic wines and has led to new plantations and after 1990 steady growth
abroad.
The Chilean Wine laws are similar to the US Appellation System. In 1995,
boundaries of the country’s wine regions and regulations were established for
labels. Front labels are required to include the Winery name. Also required are
the contents in ml somewhere on the container although law does not stipulate
bottle style or color. Alcohol content is required somewhere on the label,
expressed in Guy Lussac degrees ex. 14.5 degrees. Chilean law requires a
minimum of 11.5 degrees. The name and address of the producer-bottler is
required and is usually on the back. The varietal name is optional. Law
requires for a single varietal wine to include a minimum of 75% of a varietal
on the label, if exported a minimum of 85%. For blended wine, 3 varietals may
be listed on the front label in decreasing order of quantity and any varietal
listed must be at least 15% of the blend. Chilean law requires that only Vitis
Vinifera grapes from a specific, OIV approved list be used and that hybrid
grapes are forbidden. If the brand name is of higher quality wineries can use
the term Reserva on the label. The law dictates the wine is a minimum of 12
degrees alcohol and may or may not have oak treatment and states that the wine
has distinctive organoleptic properties. The Vintage year is optional and
refers to the year the grapes were harvested. Law does stipulate a minimum of
75% come from that year, exported wines adhere to 85% as designated by many
markets across the world.
Wines made from approved Vitis Vinifera grapes grown in specific regions
can list their Denomination of Origin on the label. When grapes from different
regions are used then the label has to reflect “Wine of Chile”. The label might
also state Estate bottled if the grapes used were grown on the winery land and
produced/bottled by that same winery. The back of labels can include a wine
description although it’s not a requirement. A brief marketing text can be on
the front or back and is referred to as a Legend. The Casablanca wine region of
Chile is moving towards sustainability by following Chile’s National
Sustainability Code. The code establishes definitions and guidelines for the
environment and social responsibility. Wineries that meet with rigorous standards
will earn the right to include the official “Accredited Sustainable-Wine of
Chile” seal on their labels. Chile would like to position itself as a leader by
the year 2020. This reflects the wine-makers commitment to caring for our
ecosystem and continuing to produce impeccable wines.
Sources:
2.
Wines
of Chile(Chilean Wine Guide) by Approach Guides, David Raezer, Jennifer Raezer
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