The Valle de Maule (Maule Valley) wine-growing area is located around 250 kilometres south of the capital Santiago in Chile. Together with the three areas of Maipo, Rapel and Curicó, it forms the huge Valle Central region as the southernmost area. It is divided into the sub-areas of Claro, Loncomilla and Tutuvén and stretches from the coastal cordillera influenced by the Pacific Ocean and the valley floor, which is characterised by extreme heat, to the foothills of the Andes in the east. With around 30,000 hectares of vineyards, it is the largest wine-growing region in Chile. Spanish immigrants were already growing wine here in the 16th century. The cool climate is tempered by the Río Maule, which flows through the area from east to west. Volcanic soils with alluvial soil, sand, clay and gravel predominate. Artificial irrigation is necessary in the dry and hot summers. The cool nights are favourable for viticulture.
Around three quarters of the vineyards are planted with red wine varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon (around half of the total area), Merlot, Carmenère, Syrah, Pinot Noir, Carignan Noir (Mazuelo), some of which are very old and ungrafted vines, Malbec (Cot) and País/Mission/Negra Antigua (Listán Prieto), and a quarter with the white wine varieties Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. Until the mid-1990s, simple, easy-to-drink bulk wines were produced here. From then on, new, quality-enhancing winegrowing techniques were increasingly used. Many wineries practise certified organic viticulture. Well-known producers in Chile include Balduzzi, Botalcura, Carta Vieja, Concha y Toro, Rocahue, Santa Rita, Terranoble, Viña Calina and Viñedos Julio Bouchon.
Lago Vichuquén: By Pedro Osses Calquín - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link
Coat of arms: By B1mbo - own work based in Maule, Public domain, Link
Chile map: CC BY-SA 3.0, Link
Chile wine-growing regions: Trekkingchile
