Maule Valley Wine

Lying just south of Curico Valley, Maule is part of the overall region of the Central Valley. Maule itself is Chile’s largest wine area, and one of the workhorses of the country’s wine industry, producing large quantities of reliable, inexpensive wine from Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere and Merlot as well as Sauvignon Blanc, and some Chardonnay. The climate is similar to Curico with a warm valley floor given respite in elevated vineyards or those near the coast.

Whilst it is still considered a region for inexpensive mass-production, it is also very traditional wine making area, with a long history. As a result there are many old vines from interesting varieties like Carignan, País and Muscat of Alexandria that are up to 200 years old. The Cauquenes area in the south of the region is notable for old vine Carignan in particular.