{"title":"Chile | Coquimbo","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0106\/1539\/0266\/files\/CoquimboCollectionBanner.jpg?v=1547563913\" alt=\"View of the port city Coquimbo in Chile's Elqui Province\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Coquimbo Region of Chile contains three wine-producing sub regions: Elqui, Limarí and Choapa. The \u003cem\u003eElqui Valley\u003c\/em\u003e is located 530km (330 miles) north of the capital Santiago at the southern end of the Atacama Desert. The region's vineyards extend from the Pacific Ocean in the west to the Andes Mountains in the east and rise to an altitude of 2,000 metres above sea-level. Most of the regions viticulture is to be found along the River Elqui valley, where grape-growers have access to high-quality water for irrigation. Traditionally the Elqui Valley focused exclusively on producing Chile's trademark brandy, Pisco, but a new generation of winemakers are producing very good wines from varietals like Sauvignon Blanc and Syrah.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLocated 470km (290 miles) north of Santiago the \u003cem\u003eLimarí Valley\u003c\/em\u003e is both an old and new wine producing region. Vines were first planted in the mid-16th century, but new technology has led terroir-hunting winemakers to take a fresh look at this curious territory. The Pacific Ocean’s cooling Camanchaca fog creeps into the valley from the west each morning and retreats as the sun rises over the Andes and bathes the vines in pure light in the afternoon. With less than 4 inches of rainfall per year, drip irrigation allows the vines to flourish as their roots dig deep into the mineral-rich soil. The combination creates fresh wines with a distinct mineral edge. The area is best known for producing Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay and also successfully produces Syrah and Pinot Noir. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cem\u003eChoapa Valley\u003c\/em\u003e lies around 400 km (250 mi) north of Santiago, in the southern part of the Coquimbo Region. It lies within the narrowest part of Chile, where the Andes meet the Coastal Range and consists of two sectors, Illapel and Salamanca. There are no wineries in either of these sectors, but vines planted on the rocky, foothill soils produce small quantities of high quality Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. \u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"undurraga-terroir-hunter-chardonnay-limari-valley","title":"Undurraga Terroir Hunter Chardonnay 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003eTerroir Hunter is the emblematic range of wines produced by Undurraga, which perfectly represent the diversity and quality to be found in Chile's vineyard sites.  Undurraga cultivates their vineyards with respect for the environment and follow a philosophy of minimal intervention in the cellar in order to showcase each individual terroir. The grapes for the Undurraga TH Chardonnay were sourced from a selected vineyard in Quebrada Seca, located on the western side of the Limarí Valley, 380 kilometres to the north of Santiago. This relatively new region for the production of high quality wines has the perfect climate for slow ripening and preserving the fresh aromas of the grapes. At the winery the grapes were rigorously sorted, ensuring that only the finest fruit underwent gentle pressing. The free-run and lightly pressed juices were racked to egg shaped concrete tanks and large Burgundian oak barrels (16% new), where fermentation took place. After fermentation, the wine was left on its lees and aged for 10 months with regular bâtonnage, imparting the wine with more body, weight and identity. This award winning Chardonnay displays fresh aromas of camomile flowers, lemon, melon and pear, complemented by touches of toasted hazelnut and coastal mineral notes. Smooth and creamy on the palate, delicate notes of oak spice are exquisitely balanced by fresh acidity through to an elegant finish. [#intro]A concentrated and aromatically expressive Chardonnay from Chile's Limarí Valley...[\/intro]\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Undurraga","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":31587133161539,"sku":"A23UNDURRAGATHCHD-1","price":21.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0106\/1539\/0266\/products\/THChardonnay.jpg?v=1587649973"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0106\/1539\/0266\/collections\/CoquimboImage.jpg?v=1547564686","url":"https:\/\/hic.wine\/collections\/coquimbo-wine-region-chile\/coquimbo.oembed","provider":"Hic!","version":"1.0","type":"link"}