Because of its high concentration of
vineyards for wines, over 19339 hectares, this region
is recognized as the real “center of gravity” of
Chilean wine-growing, together with the Maule valley,
its neighbour to the south.
The Curico valley is divided into two zones: the
valley of the Teno river and that of the Lontue
river. Both zones are clear examples of the characteristics
of the central valley, with a considerable concentration
of vineyards in the central area, extending up towards
the foothills of the Andes. It has the typical temperate,
Mediterranean-type climate of the central valley,
with a dry period of five months between November
and march, with average temperatures of 68°F and
maximum tempereatures reaching up to 86°F.
The valley of the Teno River is composed by the
districts of Romeral (Andes), considerably influenced
by the cold winds blowing off the Andes Mountains,
and Rauco (Inter Andes-Pacific) where the temperate,
Mediterranean-type climate predominates. This valley
has great possibilities for new plantings of grape
varieties grown in Chile.
The Lontué Vally is primarily a vine-growing area
and it is the valley’s main economic activity. Several
important wineries are established there and almost
all the so-called “big ones” have considerable areas
of vineyards vinification plants. This valley contains
the largest areas of vineyards in the country, most
of them being concentrated along the two sides of
the Panamerican Highway. Wine-making is a traditional
activity in this zone and it is still possible to
find vineyards dating back to 1830. It is formed
by the districts of Molina (Andes) and Sagrada Familia
(Inter Andes-Pacific).
The areas around Molina and Sagrada Familia are
protected by a chain of mountain of medium height
which reduces the influence of the sea. This allows
the Mediterranean climate to predominate in the
area around Sagrada Familia, whilst there are cooler
sectors with greater temperature swings towards
the east of Molina. In the cooler sectors of the
valley there are optimum climatic conditions for
white grape varieties, especially Sauvignon Blanc
(3,773 hectares)-the largest area in Chile-, and
Chardonnay (1,523 hectares), exceeded only by the
plantations in the Casablanca valley.
In both valleys one also finds the thermal range
typical of Chile’s central zone, but heavier rainfall
begins to make itself felt, with an annual average
of over 700 mm
From the hydrographic point of view, it is worth
pointing out the Mataquito River, formed from two
tributaries, the Teno and the Lontué, which rise
in the high Andes and join to the west of the city
of Curico to give birth to that river. Its water
is used internsively for irrigation, both in the
central valley and in the area along its banks where
it flows through the coastal range.
The Mataquito River crosses the Coastal Range through
a wide valley and flows out into the sea, south
of Vichuquen Lake. In this sector, with characteristics
which we have called “Pacific”, and which consists
of the coastal areas of Hualane, Licanten and Vichuquen,
there are a few non-irrigated vineyards, but the
strong influence of the sea means that vine-growing
is uncommon, and is not yet included in the Appellation
legislation.
The main red grape varieties grown in the Curico
Valley are Cabernet Sauvignon (6,495 hectares),
Merlot (3,575 hectares), Carménère (652 hectares)
and Pinot Noir (204 hectares). The white grapes
grown are also of significant importance and produce
excellent white wines.
The wine-producing activity in the Curico Valley
is the central axis of the economy for the whole
region and of it, therefore, defines a way of life
and exerts a very clear and far-reaching social
influence. |
