Cono Sur launches new Sauvignon Blanc Blush as pale rosé trend continues to soar

Cono Sur, one of Chile’s leading wineries, has launched a new Sauvignon Blanc Blush into its Bicicleta range.

Chile's fairytale variety

Having flown majorly under the radar in Chile since the nineties, when so-called ‘late-ripening’ Merlot was finally outed as Bordeaux varietal Carmenère, the grape has gone on a serious journey of self-discovery.

How the on-trade is advancing Chile and Argentina up the wine list

With its menu populated by Central and South American delicacies, Paladar aptly defines itself as “the taste of Latin America in the heart of London SE1”. To match its geographical scope, the restaurant’s wine list consists of labels from Peru, Uruguay, Brazil, and Mexico. Chile and Argentina feature too, of course – South America-themed restaurants serve as their natural home. Elsewhere however, the continent’s two leading wine-producing countries tend to be relegated to the cheaper end of the wine list.

Can Chile hot up?

The talk among Chile’s firmament of terroir-focused wineries is of site selection, with many smaller brands promoting sub-zones and regionality, emphasising the superior quality of cool-climate vineyards such as Lo Abarca in San Antonio or Los Morros in Maipo. Proponents of this approach have long argued that terroir creates added value, encouraging consumers to leap into premium styles.

Concha y Toro goes after greater share of the UK’s most valuable variety

Casillero del Diablo, Concha y Toro’s (CyT) flagship brand, is looking to nab a greater share of the Sauvignon Blanc pie with the launch of a premium coastal wine from Colchagua’s Ucuquer vineyard.

Talking heads; Malbec and beyond

Buyers and critics alike share a snapshot of what currently excites them about South America with Sonya Hook.

Andean offer

Both as wine producers and countries, Argentina and Chile offer very different profiles. The former has its hugely successful hero variety in Malbec, while the latter, having driven its reputation on affordable and accessible international varieties, is gaining ground as a producer of genuine interest and value in the mid-price range. Argentina too, with Malbec having secured a strong foothold at a more premium ‘entry’ price level, has been pushing its diversity, while climbing its flagship variety higher up the price ladder in independents and the on-trade.

Santa Rita Estates predicts record production in Molina, Pumanque, and Cauquenes in mid-harvest report

Santa Rita Estates (SRE) has published its mid-harvest report, and it’s good news for Chile, along with Santa Rita and Carmen.

Premium sales dominate at Concha y Toro for the first time

Viña Concha y Toro (CyT) has reached a ‘milestone’ in its sales career, with more than half of the company’s wine revenues stemming from higher-value products.

Santa Rita Estates achieves sustainability recertification

Viña Santa Rita and its associated wineries in Chile have obtained their sixth accreditation from the Certified Sustainable Wine of Chile Code, under the rules of the oversight body.

Chile's old vine renaissance

Five minutes with Adolfo Hurtado, Mont Gras

The charismatic winemaker at Chile’s Mont Gras talks to Lisa Riley about how growing up around vineyards influenced his three new wine ranges – Day One, Organic, and Devine Reserva – distributed by North South Wines.

VSPT Wine Group posts 11% Q2 sales increase

South American wine producer VSPT Wine Group has posted an 11% increase in sales during the second quarter of 2021 in spite of low exchange rates.

Casillero del Diablo goes white for new campaign

Casillero del Diablo, the UK’s leading Chilean wine brand known for its punchy reds, is launching a new consumer campaign to drive awareness of the “seasonality and great quality” of its white wines.

Hollywood star Pedro Pascal becomes Casillero del Diablo ambassador

Hollywood movie star Pedro Pascal has been unveiled as the first global brand ambassador for Chile wine brand, Casillero del Diablo.

Chile’s diversity deserves more delineated DOs

The demarcation of Chile’s regions and sub-regions could and should be much clearer, focusing in with smaller local denominations to better reflect the diversity of the country’s winemaking.

MontGras launches three new ranges in the UK

Chilean winery MontGras has launched three new wine ranges in the UK – MontGras Organic, Day One and DeVine Reserva – which will be distributed by North South Wines.

Concha y Toro sales growth driven by UK, Chile and USA

Viña Concha y Toro has revealed that markets including the UK, Chile and USA drove sales growth in the first quarter of this year.

Atkin: 'Best line-up of Chilean wines I’ve ever tasted'

Tim Atkin MW, Harpers columnist and leading UK wine writer, has launched his 2021 Chile report.

Ethical winemaking in South America: A new world

James Lawrence looks at the South American wineries championing biodiversity and giving back to the vineyards.