Región de Coquimbo

Chile

See detail of Región de Coquimbo

DESCRIPTION

It is bordered to the north by the Atacama Region, to the south by the Coquimbo Region, to the east by the Andes and to the west by the Pacific Ocean. It has the narrowest area of the entire Chilean territory.

Nº OF HECTARES: 2,155

RANGE OF ALTITUDE: In the interior part of the region, above 800 m. In the Andes Mountains, above 3,000 meters.

PREDOMINANT VARIETIES: In whites, chardonnay predominates and to a lesser extent sauvignon blanc. Among reds, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère and Pinot Noir.

CLIMATE AND SOILS

It has different climates, such as coastal steppe or cloudy, warm steppe and cold temperate high altitude. It is an area halfway between the desert and the southern Mediterranean climate. Despite the semi-desert climate conditions, Coquimbo benefits from more moderate temperatures due to the influence of the Pacific Ocean.

PRODUCING AREAS

The best whites are produced in Puritaque and the best reds in Ovalle. There are three valleys in this region where production is concentrated:

1. Limarí Valley. This is an ideal area for fine wines, with high ventilation, close to the sea but including subzones with a humid environment next to the ocean, sunny and cold regions at night, and extremely hot areas where there is little rainfall and more balanced wines are produced, especially whites. Water is the big problem in this zone. Gravel and sandy soils with a calcareous component give minerality to the wines, which tend to have earthy and organic aromas. The pioneer winery was Francisco de Aguirre who bought Concha y Toro. Producers favor the potential of chardonnay and syrah in coastal vineyards.

2. Elqui Valley. Dry climate with little rainfall and high sunshine. Cooler region, influenced by the Pacific Ocean and winds from the Andes, with the possibility of making cooler and herbaceous wines (syrah, carmenère, sauvignon blanc). Healthy wines are produced and have to be supported by an irrigation system in the flatter sunny areas. The main grape is cabernet sauvignon. Alluvial soils and decomposed granite in the hills. The pioneer winery was Falernia.

3. Choapa Valley. With 134 hectares, the smallest of the three regions, here Syrah has shown its best side.