South American Wines Have Never Been This Exciting
South American Wines Have Never Been This Exciting Once known primarily for their price-to-quality ratio, South American wines are more elegant, refined and precise than ever offering unmatched excellence. By Jesica VargasWine Enthusiast Writer at Large and reviewer of wines from Latin America and Africa. Far from uniform, South America offers a captivating mosaic of [...]
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Apr 25, 2025 - 20:31
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South American Wines Have Never Been This Exciting
Once known primarily for their price-to-quality ratio, South American wines are more elegant, refined and precise than ever offering unmatched excellence.
By Jesica Vargas Wine Enthusiast Writer at Large and reviewer of wines from Latin America and Africa.
Far from uniform, South America offers a captivating mosaic of wine regions, each with unique microclimates and a wide variety of wine styles. The largest producers are in Argentina, Chile and Uruguay, with Brazil, Peru and Bolivia holding their own as emerging regions with attention-grabbing small productions.
While each country has its distinct traits, key factors such as altitude, southern latitude and proximity to the Pacific or Atlantic oceans play a significant role in enabling a successful viticulture. Often, the climate results from a combination of two or more of these elements. Additionally, producers all share a commitment to offer wines that reflect a sense of place—which is why now is the perfect time to dive into the fascinating world of South American wines.
Expanse of vineyard at foot of the snowy Andes. Uco valley, Tupungato, Mendoza, Argentina / Getty Images
Weather Report
South American grapes grow in an array of climates, from the brisk coastal areas in Chile to high-altitude continental regions in Argentina.
The Andes spans South America and reaches its peak at Mendoza’s Aconcagua, nearly 7,000 feet high—the tallest in the Western Hemisphere. These mountains divide Argentina and Chile, shaping wine regions on either side with cool breezes and feeding the rivers that irrigate the vines with water from the snow.
The mountain range also shields Argentina from humid Pacific winds, contributing to Mendoza’s arid climate and giving rise to the Zonda, a dry, warm, lashing wind affecting Mendoza and San Juan provinces during fall and spring.
However, the Zonda is not the biggest threat that producers face. In November 2022, spring frost devastated Argentine vineyards, making 2023 the smallest harvest since 1960. The 2024 vintage saw an increase in harvested grapes and the same is expected for 2025, with overall good fruit quality.
Meanwhile, extreme weather has affected Chile’s vineyards, from the forest fires and a heat wave in 2023 to drought in 2024.
South American vintners are grappling with environmental changes and expanding into international markets through cultivating regional-specific varietals and making wines that appeal to an array of palates.Jesica Vargas, Wine Enthusiast Writer at Large
Trend Report
Producers’ expertise and deep understanding of their vineyards are shaping South American wine today.
Delicious white wines can be found across the region, ranging from expressive single-varietal wines to layered blends. Notable examples include Uruguay’s Albariños, Argentina’s Chardonnays and white blends and Chile’s Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnays. Brazil is striving to establish itself as South America’s leading sparkling wine producer, though Argentina and Chile also boast remarkable options for bubbles.
However, reds continue to be the pride of South America. They have changed over the past two decades, from big and bold to now offering wonderful freshness and elegance. Argentina and Chile take the lead with vibrant Malbecs and well-balanced Cabernet Sauvignons, while Uruguay’s Tannat wines are following suit, promising a bright future.
Lesser-known grape varieties are also being produced across the region. Carménère in Chile and Cabernet Franc in Argentina are both thriving in ideal climates and yielding delightful wines year after year.
Additionally, cool-climate varieties like Pinot Noir challenge the misconception that South America is too warm for this delicate grape, offering remarkable expressions from coastal vineyards in Chile and Argentina’s Patagonia and Uco Valley.
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Futurecast
South American vintners are grappling with the environmental changes and exploring ways to expand into international markets through cultivating regional-specific varietals and making wines that appeal to an array of palates. Serious work on improving sustainability in the entire wine ecosystem, from vineyard to bottle, will continue to be implemented.
Of critical urgency? Cultivating varieties that can adapt better to climate change, which, for the most part of South America, translates to less rainfall. Garnacha is among the selected grapes, along with forgotten varieties with a long history in those regions, allowing the preservation of old vines of massal selection. País, in Chile, is one of them, with centenary vines found in the Maule and Itata Valleys that create wonderful pure expressions.
Additionally, as Argentinian winemakers prove to the world the quality of their white wines, expect to see more Chardonnay and white blends that include old-vine Sémillon and Chenin Blanc coming from the country.
Premiumization is also one of the priorities as climate change and a decrease in wine consumption worldwide has allowed winemakers to choose precision over abundance. Wines with a moderate alcohol content and high in acidity that cater to diverse palates and can pair with a wide range of international cuisines will continue to be crafted to make South American wines competitive in the global scene.
Brazil, Rio Grande Do Sul, Bento Goncalves, Serra Gaucha, vineyards, vindimia, grapes harvest / Getty Images
What to Drink Right Now
We rounded up a few of our favorite wines from Argentina, Chile and Uruguay below.
Argentina
While winemaking in Argentina extends across the country from north to south, Mendoza accounts for most of its wine production. With a continental climate, this province thrives due to its high altitude, which provides a significant diurnal temperature variation. Warm days and chilly nights prolong the growing season, ensuring optimal grape ripening.
During the last decades, winemaking has moved from the lower lands in the east to higher altitude regions in Luján de Cuyo and Uco Valley, which are closer to the Andes Mountain range, in order to benefit from the descending cool mountain air. These regions have heterogeneous soils of alluvial origin that include limestone.
Outside of Mendoza, regions like the Calchaquí Valleys on Argentina’s northern edge stand out for their remarkable red wines. Here, vineyards grow at impressive altitudes ranging from 5,000 to over 10,000 feet.
Patagonia’s wine regions stretch from 37° latitude to over 46°. Its northern areas, Río Negro and Neuquén, produce excellent Pinot Noir and other red and white wines, benefiting from persistent winds and the cooler temperatures of southern latitudes instead of altitude. Western sub-regions are shaped by the Atlantic Ocean, while Chubut to the south has an extreme climate for viticulture, with low temperatures and strong winds.
Two distinct forms of elegance define the best white and red wines from Argentina. The first is in the precision of world-class wines, exemplified by producers like Catena Zapata and Cheval des Andes, among others. These wines exhibit infinite layers, complexity and a delicate structure.
The second form of elegance is present in the refined expressions of terroir-driven wines, such as those from Zuccardi and Alto las Hormigas, to name a few. These wines achieve a perfect balance of elements that transport your palate to a specific time and place, and they do so with sophistication.
This white comes from the Adrianna vineyard in Gualtallary and displays a lively acidity that speaks of its origin. Celery, dried lemon and light notes of oak spices create an aromatic bouquet. It’s balanced and has subtle notes of green apple, lime, ginger and mint over a mineral texture. The finish is long and offers hints of dried fruit. This is ready to be enjoyed now, but will certainly develop over the next several years. Drink through 2031. Cellar Selection.— Jesica Vargas
Made with equal parts Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon, this blend shows balance, depth and strength. It has a firm palate with a chalky texture and savory notes of rosemary, bay leaf, tobacco and berries in the background. Remarkable acidity drives the flavors through the long finish. It’s delicious now, but it will develop more complexity in the years to come. Drink now–2035. Cellar Selection.— J.V.
With its bright aromas of red cherries, mulberries and chalk on the nose, this Malbec is no exception. The equally expressive palate delivers red berries and plums blended with a delicious potpourri of dried herbs that leads to a long satisfying finish. — J.V.
Aromas of jarilla, rosemary, peppercorn and flint are followed by wild berries. The wine is full-bodied, with elegant tannins and silky texture. Bright ripe fruit flavors are enhanced by hints of licorice, dried herbs and black pepper that extend into a savory aftertaste. This is a delicious Malbec from the winery’s vineyards in Paraje Altamira, Uco Valley. Editor’s Choice.— J.V.
Chile’s main wine regions showcase a rich variety of climates, resulting in a diverse array of wines. Among these, the Maipo Valley stands out, home to the nation’s most awarded Cabernet Sauvignons. In addition, this Bordeaux grape has found suitable climates in the Aconcagua, Colchagua and the Cachapoal Valleys. What all these valleys have in common is that they lay at the foothills of the Andes, with some of them also having vines on the granitic slopes of the Coastal Mountain range that runs from north to south between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes Mountains.
Highly regarded Carménère wines are produced in sub-regions of the Colchagua and Cachapoal Valleys, specifically Apalta and Peumo.
The coastal Casablanca and San Antonio Valleys, including its Leyda sub-region, and emerging regions such as Limarí, Malleco, Osorno and Chile Chico—the southernmost vineyard in the world—excel in early-ripening grapes due to their cool climates influenced by the Pacific Ocean or their southerly latitude.
Regions such as Curicó, Maule, Itata, Malleco and Osorno feature volcanic soils composed of basalt, ash and other elements, which impart a unique character to the wines produced there.
Once known primarily for their price-to-quality ratio, Chilean winemakers have transformed consumer perceptions. Top producers like Seña, Don Melchor and Santa Rita have elevated their Cabernet Sauvignon to unmatched excellence in South America.
Chile’s diverse climate has become its secret weapon for crafting outstanding white wines. For instance, Viña Leyda produces cool-climate Sauvignon Blancs with vibrant freshness and a strong sense of place from the Leyda Valley. Meanwhile Tabali, from the limestone-rich Limarí Valley, offers bright Chardonnays with texture and saline notes.
The nose of this flavorful red opens up with raspberry, cherry, licorice and peppercorn aromas. Well-integrated tannins are smooth and provide a good structure to the palate. Black and red fruit appear alongside dried herbs and vanilla flavors. It has depth and is balanced, with a lingering spiciness on the finish. — J.V.
Violets, ripe cherry and red-plum aromas are delicate. Light notes of cinnamon and dried herbs fill up the bouquet. This is one of Chile’s iconic wines from a warm vintage in Aconcagua Valley that delivers good concentration of fruit on the ripe palate. Blackberry and cherry flavors are followed by light notes of oak spice. It has lively linear acidity and big tannins. It’s good to drink now and promise a good future. Drink through 2030. — J.V.
At first, this Sauvignon exhibits Leyda Valley’s classic aromas of green peas and celery. After a few minutes in the glass, the wine opens and shows its complexity. It has a beautiful citrusy character that shines through delicate notes of lime and vervain on the palate. Vibrant and structured, this is a good example of the quality that white wines from Chile’s coastal vineyards can achieve. Editor’s Choice.— J.V.
This Chardonnay comes from coastal vineyards in one of Chile’s northernmost wine regions, Limarí. It has a delicate nose of white flower and citrus aromas that are more than inviting. The mineral-textured palate is fresh due to its vibrant acidity. Flavors of apricot, ripe lemon and baking spices are balanced and lengthen the finish. — J.V.
Bordered by the vast Atlantic Ocean and the Río de la Plata, Uruguay benefits from a climate characterized by mild temperatures throughout the year and plentiful rainfall. Cooling ocean breezes run through the Río de la Plata and shape Uruguay’s main growing regions, Montevideo and Canelones, where around 80% of the country’s wine is produced. Coastal areas like Maldonado and Rocha also benefit from the sea’s influence.
While Tannat is Uruguay’s signature wine, Albariño has rapidly grown over the past 20 years, now ranking among the top three white grape varieties, surpassing Chardonnay.
Uruguay has been making wine for a while, just like its neighbors, but in the last decades it has gained recognition, offering remarkable wines. Being such a small country, winemakers focus on quality over quantity, as they explore new regions.
Wines from established and new wineries like Bouza, Familia Deicas, Viña Progreso and Bodega Garzón, showcase a unique side of Uruguayan wine, with terroir-driven and fresh expressions of red and white varieties.
The vibrancy of this wine is one of its main characteristics. Aromas of cherry jam, fig and mulberry form an aromatic nose. The energized palate shares the same notes of black fruit, with a whisper of smoke and dried herbs. This wine is elegant and silky and has the structure needed to age beautifully. Drink now–2033. — J.V.
The nose of this wine is aromatic with notes of white flowers and yellow grapefruit. It has a mineral character and lively acidity supporting stone fruit and orange zest. The finish is long with saline notes in the aftertaste. — J.V.
Aromas of spices and wild berries meet with a touch of fur to make for an interesting nose. This is ripe and juicy on the palate, with plump weight that’s cut by honest acidity. A potpourri of berry flavors is accented by spice notes, while this remains solid on the finish. — Michael Schachner
Offering bright aromas of plum, licorice and a light note of vanilla, this wine is flavorful and well structured. The rounded palate delivers ripe plum, fig and grilled bell pepper framed by gripping tannins. It finishes long with hints of smoke in the aftertaste. — J.V.
