Elqui Valley (wine region)
The Elqui Valley is a
liquor. It is considered the most commercially successful wine-producing region in northern Chile.[citation needed
]
The region’s vineyards extend from the
meters above sea level (6,500 feet). Viticulture in the Elqui Valley began in the 1990s when Chilean wine producers sought potential sites beyond the Chilean Central Valley. Over the years, they have planted 286 hectares (710 acres) of vines, primarily along the Elqui River valley, where grape growers have access to high-quality water for irrigation.[2]
The region has clay, silt and chalk soil, and is characterized by a sunny, desert-like climate with less than 70 millimetres (2.8 in) of annual rainfall. The landscape features dry rocky terrain, steep valleys, and temperate hills cooled by strong winds from the Pacific Ocean and the Andes Mountains. These conditions contribute to the production of excellent results for varietals like Syrah.[2]
The Elqui Valley has been granted the Denomination of Origin (DO) status within the Chilean appellation system. This legally protected geographical indication allows for identifying the specific location where the grapes used in the wine were grown.
Grape distribution by varietal
| Cabernet Sauvignon: 25 ha (62 acres) | Sauvignon Blanc: 72 ha (178 acres) | Carmenere: 60 ha (148 acres) |
| Syrah: 87 ha (215 acres) | Pinot Noir: 19 ha (47 acres) | Chardonnay: 23 ha (57 acres) |
References
- ^ "Elqui Valley Wine Region". Retrieved 21 April 2014.
- ^ a b See Elqui Valley Chart Archived 2014-04-01 at the Wayback Machine www.winesofchile.org retrieved September 25, 2013
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