One of the advantages of living in Chile is having access to many different types of wines, from different wineries and at different values. There are many Chilean options in the supermarkets, and if you are not an expert on wine, but do enjoy a good bottle -like me – it can get pretty over whelming choosing the right one.
So, in today’s post I want to explain a bit of what I have learned about the wine prices in Chile, and what meaning – I have come to understand – they have according to their price value.
It is great to get a very expensive bottle once in a while, but in reality most of us chose wines by looking at the right side of the menu when at a restaurant, or by picking the middle shelf in the supermarket. Nothing wrong with that!
Chilean Wine Guide by three price categories:
1) Low Price Range – The Party wines: From 2.000 to 4.000 CL (Up to 4 USD approx.):
– These wines will normally be found at the bottom of the supermarket shelve or at the corner gondolas. They usually have good promotions, where you can pick 4 bottles from different wineries and grapes for 12.000 CLP. If you have a party, or a reunion with lots of people and want to serve something descent but no so expensive this is a good option.
Good wineries at this price range are Santa Helena, Emiliana, Viña Mar, Las Niñas, Misiones de Rengo, Cousiño Macul. If you are hosting a not so intimate party, these are very popular options that will look just fine.
Note: There are cheaper wines than these, but they will be probably near the beer section of the supermarket. They are normally used for cooking. At this point in my life, I guess I probably need to drink something a bit better to ensure a recovery the next day, back in my early 20s as a student I would be fine with them. Times have changed. LOL =)
2) Value for money – The Lunch Wine: From 4.000 up to 7.000 CLP (From 7 to 12 USD):
– In Chile you can find many good bottles of wines at this price range. This is the middle of the shelf in the supermarket, where you can find the safe bets (good quality and price). If you are hosting a lunch, a dinner, or just want to treat friend to a nice bottle, but no so expensive this price range is your choice. Most of the people I know usually drink these price bottles for a nice quiet dinner at home, a Friday night with takeout food, so it’s not a luxury. Good wineries with options at this price range are: Odfjell, Viu Manent, Casas de Bosque, Casa Silva, Montes, Morande.
What I find interesting about these wineries, is that there are less commercial and they normally sale more premium bottles, but they offer good quality wines at this price range. If you want to bring a bottle to a party, or a dinner but don´t want to spend too much money, I would go with these options.
3) Higher price range, not luxury – Look Good Wine: From 10.000 CLP and up. (around 20 USD)
During my years in Chile, I have noticed that most people consider a good bottle to be more than 10.000 CLP. In others countries, you will need to spend at least 40 USD to get something considered premium, but in Chile because it’s a wine country they have very premium wines at around 20 USD. I can´t complain there, I love Chile.
If you ever are invited to a Chileans house and want to bring a nice wine buy Marques de Casa de Concha, around 10.000 CLP . You can´t go wrong there, because it is very high esteemed among Chileans, so you will leave a nice impression. Other options at this price point: Matetic Corralilo, Montes Alpha, Casa Silva Los Lingues, Lapostolle, Leyda, Di Martino. I love these options to treat myself to something especial.
Of course there are more expensive options, but we have excluded them from the ranking, because it not that common to consume them on a regular basis.
Hope this was useful on your next trip to the supermarket, and let us know if it was any help!!
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