If you’re hankering after a gem of a red, the type of wine which greets you with open arms, seduces you with its fruit-forward style and spurs thoughts of wanderlust – set your sights on South America.
With a variety of scintillating styles and ideal growing conditions – grapes thrive at high altitude with bountiful sunshine – and a booming wine scene… it’s home to some of the world’s best vineyards, and adventurous wine lovers are spoilt for choice.
Now we’ve piqued your interest and thirst, let’s move onto the important stuff – not least the headline grapes which place these neighbouring countries firmly on the wine map, and pull the corks on a good-time glass!
From cabernet sauvignon, to malbec, to tannat, here’s what’s in our lavish lineup…
1. Errazuriz Cabernet Sauvignon 2023, Maipo, Chile, £9, Tesco
Far from a one-trick pony, Chile excels at most grape varieties and its cabernet sauvignon is worth making a song and dance about. From their stable of world class wines, this top-notch producer turns out this impressively consistent, deep-flavoured red and a joy from word go. Aromatic with notes of cherries, spiced cranberry, tobacco and vanilla, similar flavours unfold with a youthful charm, enlivened by freshness on the finish.
2. The Traitor Red Blend, Central Valley, Chile 2023, £9.99 (£7.99 Mix Six), Majestic
Delicious from word go, carménère leads the charge – Chile’s signature grape – in this riot of ripe, brambly fruits with subtle hints of green pepper and concentrated blackberry aromas. Super smooth, juicy flavours of cherries and plums glide through to the finish, teasing the taste buds with its moreish, drink-me-now finish.
3. Artesano de Argento Fairtrade Organic Malbec Cabernet Franc 2022, Mendoza, Argentina, £10.50, Sainsbury’s
A high-altitude, mountain-fresh malbec, a splash of cabernet franc brings freshness, herbs and touch of spice to the party, enhancing those violet, floral notes. The result? Everything melds seamlessly together with flavours of blueberry and blackberry fruits galore, and kiss of sweet spice on the long, lingering finish. Superb.
4. Miguel Torres Vigno Carignan 2016, Maule Valley, Chile, £13.99, Waitrose
Frequently combined with grenache, syrah or mourvedre grapes in a southern French blend, Chile’s carignan is typically juicy, vibrant and loaded with lively raspberry and wild red berry fruits, florals and herbs. In addition to exuberant fruit, this distinctive wine offers spicy, savoury notes and a long, expressive finish.
5. Zuccardi Serie A Malbec 2023, Mendoza, Argentina, £15, Ocado
In a word: Sumptuous. With its full-bodied charms and perfumed bouquet of violets, cassis, blackcurrant and plums, award-winning winery Zuccardi – three-times winner of World’s Best Vineyard and inducted into their Hall of Fame – packs a lot of plush, brambly fruit into this generous red with hints of rich cherry and chocolate, leading to a velvety smooth finish.
6. 100 Años Reserva Tannat 2022, Canelones, Uruguay, £18.99, Laithwaites
A rising star on the South American wine scene, Uruguay’s flagship grape is tannat – and a great reason to explore these up-front, flavoursome reds which flourish in the country’s cool coastal region; producing bold blackberry flavours and fine structured tannins. This label is a standout with its dark plummy aromas laced with tobacco and spice, structured blackberry fruit woven together with spicy black pepper and long finish. Time to discover your inner gaucho and fire up the grill. Salud!
