South American Wine - The New World Wine
By James C Copper

The health benefits of moderate, regular wine drinking are manifold- lesser heart disease risk, healthier blood vessels, improved lung functions and reduced risk of ovarian cancer in women, and the most apparent benefit is anti-ageing.

South American wines have made an impact on the wine markets of the world. It is a New-world wine -producing nation, whereas the European countries are considered the 'Old world' wine producing nations. There are several wine regions in South America, each with their own flavor and style of wine. A couple of the major wine-producing regions are Argentina and Chile. The grape varieties and methods are essentially the same as used around the world, but the climate and other factors add the subtle differences that make the drink more interesting!

Viticulture was present in Chile since 1500, but was unable to produce fine quality wines until recently. The country's climate is ideal for growing of the best quality grapes as it varies from the heat of the arid, rocky, mountainous desert to the north and the icy, Antarctic expanse in the south. Midway between the two are the warm, fertile valleys that are home to this nation's vineyards.

The Chilean red wine has vastly improved in quality and they offer a wide selection of including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay and others produced by joint ventures between Chilean wineries and foreign investors. The wines range from light bodied to full-bodied with rich crimson colours that delight the eye as well as the palate.

Apart from this, South America is the oldest of the wine producing countries outside Europe; some unusual varieties of grapes still are cultivated here, making wines that are distinctive in flavour and character. A wine connoisseur's delight in the discovery of subtle flavours is fulfilled by a good quality South American wine.

Argentina, Chile's neighbor also produces wine that has improved in quality .The vineyards extend from the foot of the mountains up to about 4000 feet above sea level, with the highest, cooler vineyards being more suitable for white varieties. Like Chile, Argentina has many unusual varieties of grapes, for example, Torrontes, a white grape variety with an interesting character. This variety produces fresh and aromatic wines, when crafted well by a good wine maker. Among the red wines, Argentina has its own French variety, Malbec, like the Carmenère in Chile. These unusual varieties have produced interest in the wine circles and created a niche market for South American wine.

Uruguay also has a say in the South America wine production. It specializes in Tannat, a grape variety that can be rather tough and demand long ageing, so many producers blend with other varieties to make a more approachable wine. These wines are also creating ripples in the international markets.

With emergence of new markets, South American wine is increasingly finding a place on tables all over the world and steadily gaining in popularity. The wine label of a bottle of South American wine is uncomplicated and has all the information which makes it easier to expect what is in the bottle.

James Copper is an expert on all things wine and spirit related and is also a writer for http://www.cecwine.co.uk where you can find out information on south American wine

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