Coquimbo Region
Main grapes: Elqui Valley: Syrah, Carmenère, Sauvignon Blanc, Pedro Ximenez
Limari Valley: Chardonnay, Syrah, Pinot Noir, Muscat
Choapa Valley: Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pedro Ximenez
Sub-regions: Coquimbo is comprised of 3 major sub-regions: Elqui Valley, Limari Valley and Choapa Valley
Climate: Coquimbo’s climate, in a nutshell, is desert. Rainfall is usually less 85mm a year, and as is the case for most deserts temperatures are high in the day and cool at night.
You should know... Historically the majority of this region's grapes were distilled into Chile’s trademark brandy, Pisco…though Peru also claims Pisco to be its own, so it’s a bit of a contentious issue. Being so close to the equator, the high altitude in Coquimbo is an essential factor in the success of its viticulture, but there is no major north-south valley here between the coastal range and the Andes Mountains – just a series of spectacular transverse valleys that deliver precious Andean melt-water to the region's vineyards.
Limari Valley: Chardonnay, Syrah, Pinot Noir, Muscat
Choapa Valley: Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pedro Ximenez
Sub-regions: Coquimbo is comprised of 3 major sub-regions: Elqui Valley, Limari Valley and Choapa Valley
Climate: Coquimbo’s climate, in a nutshell, is desert. Rainfall is usually less 85mm a year, and as is the case for most deserts temperatures are high in the day and cool at night.
You should know... Historically the majority of this region's grapes were distilled into Chile’s trademark brandy, Pisco…though Peru also claims Pisco to be its own, so it’s a bit of a contentious issue. Being so close to the equator, the high altitude in Coquimbo is an essential factor in the success of its viticulture, but there is no major north-south valley here between the coastal range and the Andes Mountains – just a series of spectacular transverse valleys that deliver precious Andean melt-water to the region's vineyards.