Chile’s Wines Shine Operators see this diverse country’s wines
as good values that are improving in quality. By Liza B. Zimmerman
roducer Jess Jackson once called Chile “California inverted.” Th e long, narrow South American nation does indeed geographically resemble California and
produces a wide range of wines and styles. Long lumped with its neighbor Argentina on many lists, Chilean wines are fi nally separating themselves from the pack and getting some of the attention they deserve.
According to the Beverage Information Group, Cheers’ parent
company, Chilean wine sales were up 107.2 percent in 2009. According to Woodside, Ca.-based Gomberg, Fredrikson and Associates, carménère is Chile’s strongest red grape varietal on the U.S. market and was up by eight percent in 2010. Pinot noir was just behind it with an increase of seven percent and red blends have grown by four percent through December of
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