Casablanca Valley Wine

Chile’s most premium white wine region, the Casablanca Valley was probably the first cool climate Chilean wine area to be discovered, in the mid-eighties, and one on which many producers focussed. Located about 70km north west of Santiago, it lies close to the sea port of Valparaiso, and is one of the closest to the Pacific ocean, where it is influenced by the cold Humboldt current, which flows up from the Antarctic.

About Casablanca Valley

With a cooler climate, more fog, and more frost risk than almost any Chilean wine region, it’s the perfect area for premium white wines; the majority of top wineries and producers now have vineyards in this area, a trend started by Casa Lapostolle. Whilst the risk of frost is high, the microclimate permits a far longer and slower ripening time for the grapes, at a lower day time temperature, which results in wines, which are fine, elegant, restrained, aromatic and structured.

This is probably the region with the climate closest to what we would describe as continental, thanks to the effect of the ocean and the area’s location. The classic aromatic white grape varieties are grown here – it’s the very top area for Sauvignon Blanc, it produces fantastic, cool climate and often unoaked Chardonnay, and it has produced some superbly racy Riesling and Viognier wines. In terms of reds, the climate suits the volatile and temperamental Pinot Noir, which lends itself to some extremely elegant, yet fruity and reliable wines in this area.

Casablanca Valley Wine Prices