The Aconcagua Valley is known for being
the southernmost of the so-called “Transverse Valley”,
The river of the same name rises where two of the
main rivers in the High Andes flow into one another:
the Juncal River and the Colorado River. The total
length of the river is of 180 kilometers and its
hydrographic basin has been calculated in 7,200
square kilometres.
Almost all its water is used in mining, specially
copper-mining in the High Andes, and for agriculture
in the whole valley along its course between the
towns of Los Andes and San Felipe, and some lateral
valleys between Laly-Laly and Calera, plus in the
important valley of Quillota.
In the region the growing of “vitis vinifera”, though
has certainly existed since the 19th century, if
not before, was virtually sweeped by the “vitis
vinifera” dedicated to the production of table-grapes.
So, just as we described the Limari Valley, 250
kilometers further north, as an enclave in the Pisco
zone, the grapes set aside for wine-making are also
a sort of enclave within this “kingdom” dedicated
to the production of fresh grapes, almost all destined
for export. There are 11612 hectares under vine
for table-grape production and only 484 reserved
for wine.
Generally speaking, this transverse valley is divided
between those areas that are closer to the Andes
and those to the Pacific Ocean. The Andes sector
is very hot, because it is boxed in by many chains
of mountain. At present, almost no varieties are
being cultivated there for wine-making, though there
should very soon be an increase in Syrah vines planting,
which thrive in sectors of this type.
Moving on towards the Pacific, near the town of
Panquehue, a real window opens on to the sea, influenced
by the Humblodt Current, which allows to obtain
red varieties of wine of superlative quality. This
area is about 80 kilo meters from the coast and
connected with it by the course of the Aconcagua
River.
From Panquehue on, the influence of the sea is very
notorious along the whole valley, creating slow
ripening conditions that allow to obtain very generous
red wines, intense in colour and with fruity aromas.
There are no practical demonstrations with regard
to the production of white grapes, but it seems
almost certain that the area would not be suitable
for it. Although this region is northern than the
Central Valley, the ripening and final development
of the grapes are generally later than in the valleys
further south.
Fifty kilometres from this locality towards the
west, vine-growing for wine is practically non-existent,
except for a few vineyards planted in small valleys
in the Coastal Range, where the vine for wines thrives
without needing artificial irrigation and with some
signs of good quality.
All the irrigation in the area depends on the Aconcagua
Rive, without damming. There are 214 mm of rain
falls registered each year, almost entirely in the
winter months.
This region, situated on Latitude 33°S, approximately
100 kilometers north of Santiago, is a veritable
orchard, providing a range of different species
of fruits, besides table grapes. This is perhaps
the area with he greatest concentration of fruit-packing
and freezing plants for preparing grapes for export.
Its future as a source of wine-grape production
is not limited by any lack of suitable sectors or
soils. It is just a question of defining its relative
merits compared with other crops predominating in
the area, like the table grape; and also the search
for excellence with Syrah and other varieties which
prefer hot climates. However, traditional red grape
varieties should not be rejected either, because
they have shown good adaptability.
The following figures give the areas under vine
for the areas under vine for the main wine-producing
grape varieties, expressed n hectares: Cabernet
Sauvignon (294 hectares), Merlot (100 hectares),
Syrah (46 hectares) and Carménère( 28 hectares).
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