|
The Region
 |
|
The Cauquenes region is
situated in south western part of the Maule Valley, located 35km from
the Pacific coast, some 300km from Santiago. The Maule Valley is
the largest wine producing region of Chile.
The area around
Cauquenes consists of valleys and low-lying hills. Its climate
consists of wet winters and dry, hot summers, with significant
temperature differences between night and day.
The vineyard area
stretches over 2,527km which encompasses a range of diverse
microclimates, each contributing to different qualities produced in the
grapes grown. In 1995, converted some of its
own vineyards to organic wine production, producing Chile’s first
organic wines in 1998. These wines are produced without the use of
any agro-chemicals, fertilizers or pesticides. |
Grape Varieties
| The most widely-planted
grape variety is Pais (known also as Mission), which traditionally
produces large quantities of table wines. The Maule region
has the largest planting of Pais in Chile. This grape variety
is now
producing wines with a more structured, new world style – the first wine being released under the Equality label. In 2006 Michelle Bachellet, the then newly-elected President of Chile, visited Lomas de
Cauquenes and signed an agreement to guarantee the origin of Pais as
coming from Cauquenes. |
|
 |
In recent years the
better-known varieties have now been planted extensively, which include
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon
Blanc, Semillon, Carignan, Viognier, Malbec and Shiraz. COVICA
retains strong links with its growers and continues to provide them with advice and support.
|
