Chile’s history of producing new world wine dates back to the 16th century when the Spanish arrived. In the mid-19th century french varieties like merlot and cabernet sauvignon were introduced. During the 1980s techincal advances in production meant better quality wines and Chile’s reputation as a good-quality, low-cost wine producer became international. The number of vineyards has increased rapidly in recent years, from just 12 in 1995 to over 70 in 2005.
Valle Central ( Central Valley), spanning three regions in Chile, is Chile´s most famous wine-producing region. Its high production level is due in part to its close proximity to Santiago, the capital. The Maipo valley and the Colchagua valley, both famous for cabernet sauvignon, lie within this region.
