Chile

    Chile has a long viticultural history for aNew World wine region dating to the 16th century when the Spanish conquistadors brought vines with them as they colonized the region. In the early 1980s, a renaissance began with the introduction of stainless steel fermentation tanks and the use of oak barrels for aging. Wine exports grew very quickly as quality wine production increased.Chile is now the fifth largest exporter of wines in the world, and the ninth largest producer. The most common grapes are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carmenere, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.