Bolivian wine includes red wines, white wines, dessert wines, fortified wines, and sparkling wines. [1] Bolivia is not a well-known wine country, however there are said to be about 400 producers, mostly small vineyards, but a few large ones, some of which produce quality wines. [2] The majority of the wine industry in Bolivia, around 80%, is based in Tarija. [1] [3]
The history of wine making in Bolivia begins in the 16th century with the arrival of the Spanish. To supply the monastic orders that traveled with the conquistadors, wine was necessary for the sacrament, thus vineyards were established. [1] Franciscan monks planted the first vine in Tarija. [4]
Bolivia's tropical climate was a big issue for early wine makers. Grapevines are a Mediterranean plant and do not thrive in tropical climates, the Spanish eventually found success by planting them in valleys at high altitudes. The Spanish colonists were able to find temperatures that were better for the vine when over 1,500 meters (4,921 feet) in elevation. They planted Criolla varieties there, including grapevines of Negra Criolla (also known as Mission, Pas, and Criolla Chica) and Muscat of Alexandria. [5]
Since the 1960s and 1970s, when modern wine making technology and expertise first entered the nation, viticulture and wine making have advanced significantly. [5]
Although just a small percentage of the 7,500 acres of vineyards in Bolivia are made up of Muscat of Alexandria, the majority of those 3,000 hectares are. The majority of this output is turned into wine, which is eventually distilled to create singani, the national brandy of Bolivia manufactured from Muscat of Alexandria. This 40% fragrant spirit is often consumed blended with ginger ale or regional fruit juices and captures the aromatic strength of the Muscat grape. [5] [6]
Bolivian winemakers have been experimenting with planting different grape varieties since the 1990s, focusing on red grape varieties that could be well suited to the high-altitude land. When Vineyards are located between 1,500 and 2,800 meters above sea level (4,921 and 9,186 feet), thin-skinned varieties generally cannot tolerate increased UV Radiation. Success has been achieved with lesser known French and Spanish varieties and some modern crosses. [5]
Bolivia is one of the most geographically challenging countries in the world. [7] It is fully in tropical climate latitudes which is not good for viticulture. [5] The country is located in high altitudes. [3] 99% of all vineyards in the country are situated between 1,600 and 3,000 meters. [1] In all parts of the world, the wine is being made at sea level, 800m, 1,000m, a little more, however, Bolivian wine yards are mostly concentrated at an altitude of 1,600–2,000 meters or even in the hot regions of the Andes there are crops up to 3,000 meters. [8]
The high altitude of Bolivia gives the country's wines a unique taste. The average vineyard starts at 1,500 meters above sea level where sun shine is intense. And due to the atmosphere being thinner the grapes change. [9] [10] Moreover, vineyards benefit from lack of winds and humidity at night. [8] Daytime temperatures can rise above 35°C, which increases acidity, and summer rains dilute the wine. [9]
Vineyards in Bolivia are dominated by Muscat of Alexandria. However, white wine grapes like Torrontes, Chenin blanc, Riesling, Pedro Giménez, Sauvignon blanc, Chardonnay [11] and red wine grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Malbec, Tannat, Carmenere can be found too. Grapes are harvested both for wine production and for the historic Singani industry, a clear brandy that is widely considered a national spirit. [1] [7]
The Tarija valley is Bolivia's main wine-producing region. [12] 93% of the grapes intended for wine production are concentrated in the southern part of the Tarija Valley. Altitudes range from 1,600 to 2,150 meters. The valley is wide and fertile, with a slightly Mediterranean climate and strong winds that prevent the vineyards from ripening their fruit. A fresh eastern breeze influences the viticulture, contributing to the fresh and elegant style of the region. [13] [1] Because of the altitude, conditions are generally mild and semi-arid. Water is taken from rivers in different nearby valleys for irrigation. [1]
The Los Cintis valley has 300ha of vineyards. [1] It is located 2,400 meters above sea level. [13] The area is considered as the spiritual home of small-scale, traditional winemaking. There are about 30 vineyards with parrale or climbing vines which are between 100 and 250 years old, interspersed with molle and chañar trees. [9]
Pisco is a colorless or yellowish-to-amber-colored spirit produced in winemaking regions of Peru and Chile. Made by distilling fermented grape juice into a high-proof spirit, it was developed by 16th-century Spanish settlers as an alternative to orujo, a pomace brandy that was being imported from Spain. It had the advantages of being produced from abundant domestically grown fruit and reducing the volume of alcoholic beverages transported to remote locations.
Malbec is a purple grape variety used in making red wine. The grapes tend to have an inky dark color and robust tannins, and are known as one of the six grapes allowed in the blend of red Bordeaux wine. In France, plantations of Malbec are now found primarily in Cahors in South West France, though the grape is grown worldwide. It is also available as an Argentine varietal.
Chile has a long history in the production of wine, with roots dating back to the 16th century when the Spanish conquistadors introduced Vitis vinifera vines to the region. In the mid-19th century, French wine varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carmenère, and Cabernet Franc were introduced. During the early 1980s, the Chilean wine industry underwent a renaissance with the introduction of stainless steel fermentation tanks and the use of oak barrels for aging. This led to a rapid growth in exports as quality wine production increased. The number of wineries in Chile rose from 12 in 1995 to over 70 in 2005.
New World wines are those wines produced outside the traditional winegrowing areas of Europe and the Middle East, in particular from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa and the United States. The phrase connotes a distinction between these "New World" wines and those wines produced in "Old World" countries with a long-established history of wine production, essentially in Europe and the Middle East, most notably: France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Romania, Georgia, and Switzerland.
Samaipata or Samaypata is a small town in the Florida Province of the Santa Cruz Department in Bolivia. It has a subtropical climate and an altitude of 1600–1800 m. It lies about 120 kilometers to the southwest of the city of Santa Cruz de la Sierra in the foothills of the Andes on the way to Sucre. It is a popular resort for the inhabitants of Santa Cruz due to its cool climate. As such, there is a regular bus and taxi service to Santa Cruz. The town is small, with numerous vibrant colonial buildings and narrow cobbled streets. It is located close to several tourist attractions such as El Fuerte de Samaipata, the Amboro National Park, El Codo de los Andes, Cuevas waterfalls, vineyards, rapids and lagoons, as well as well-preserved colonial towns such as Vallegrande, Pampagrande, Postrervalle, Santiago del Valle, Pucará, and others. It is also the first stop in the several tourist trails to Sucre, Potosi, and the Che Guevara route.
Argentina is the fifth largest producer of wine in the world. Argentine wine, as with some aspects of Argentine cuisine, has its roots in colonial Spain, as well in the subsequent large Spanish and Italian immigration which installed its mass consumption. During the Spanish colonization of the Americas, vine cuttings were brought to Santiago del Estero in 1557, and the cultivation of the grape and wine production stretched first to neighboring regions, and then to other parts of the country.
Singani is a Bolivian eau-de-vie or brandy distilled from white Muscat of Alexandria grapes. Only produced in the high valleys of Bolivia, it is the country's national distilled spirit and considered part of its cultural patrimony.
Wine in the Czech Republic is produced mainly in southern Moravia, although a few vineyards are located in Bohemia. However, Moravia accounts for around 96% of the country's vineyards, which is why Czech wine is more often referred to as Moravian wine. Production centers on local grape varieties, but there has been an increase in the production of established international strains such as Cabernet Sauvignon.
Washington wine is a wine produced from grape varieties grown in the U.S. state of Washington. Washington ranks second in the United States in the production of wine. By 2017, the state had over 55,000 acres of vineyards, a harvest of 229,000 short tons of grapes, and exports going to over 40 countries around the world from the 940+ wineries located in the state. While there are some viticultural activities in the cooler, wetter western half of the state, the majority (99.9%) of wine grape production takes place in the shrub-steppe eastern half. The rain shadow of the Cascade Range leaves the Columbia River Basin with around 8 inches (200 mm) of annual rain fall, making irrigation and water rights of paramount interest to the Washington wine industry. Viticulture in the state is also influenced by long sunlight hours and consistent temperatures.
Torrontés is a white grape variety, mostly produced and known in Argentina, producing fresh, aromatic wines with moderate acidity, smooth texture and mouthfeel as well as distinctive peach and apricot aromas on the nose. Three Torrontés varieties exist in Argentina: Torrontés Riojano, the most common, Torrontés Sanjuanino, and Torrontés Mendocino. It is primarily Torrontés Riojano that has received attention for the quality of its wines, and is the variety used for most Argentine wines simply labeled Torrontés.
Muscat of Alexandria is a white wine grape that is a member of the Muscat family of Vitis vinifera. It is considered an "ancient vine", and wine experts believe it is one of the oldest genetically unmodified vines still in existence. The grape originated in North Africa, and the name is probably derived from its association with Ancient Egyptians who used the grape for wine making. It is also a table grape used for eating and raisins.
Rueda is a Spanish Denominación de Origen Protegida (DOP) for wines located in the Community of Castile and León. It comprises 72 municipalities, of which 53 are in the province of Valladolid, 17 are in the north of the province of Segovia, and 2 are in the north of the province of Ávila. It is one of Spain's leading wine regions, and is known primarily for its white wines based on the Verdejo grape.
Ribeiro is a Spanish Denominación de Origen Protegida (DOP) for wines located in the northwest of the province of Ourense, in the valleys formed by the Avia, Miño, and Arnoia rivers. It extends over the territories of nine municipalities in their entirety and includes parishes in five others.
Ribeira Sacra is a Spanish Denominación de Origen Protegida (DOP) for wines located in the south of the province of Lugo and in the north of the province of Ourense, in Galicia, Spain. It extends over the territories of 20 different municipalities that make up a zone also called Ribeira Sacra, which could be translated as "Sacred Riverbank". Vineyards are planted on the steep slopes of the valleys and canyons of the rivers Miño and Sil. The area acquired official Denominación de Origen status in 1996.
California wine production has a rich viticulture history since 1680 when Spanish Jesuit missionaries planted Vitis vinifera vines native to the Mediterranean region in their established missions to produce wine for religious services. In the 1770s, Spanish missionaries continued the practice under the direction of the Father Junípero Serra who planted California's first vineyard at Mission San Juan Capistrano.
Slovenia has more than 28,000 wineries making between 80 and 90 million litres annually from the country's 22,300 hectares of vineyards. About 75% of the country's production is white wine. Almost all of the wine is consumed domestically with only 6.1 million L a year being exported—mostly to the United States, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and lately the Czech Republic. Most of the country's wine production falls under the classification of premium (vrhunsko) wine with less than 30% classified as basic table wine (namizno vino). Slovenia has three principal wine regions: the Drava Wine-Growing Region, the Lower Sava Wine-Growing Region, and the Littoral Wine-Growing Region.
Mexican wine and wine making began with the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century, when they brought vines from Europe to modern day Mexico, the oldest wine-growing region in the Americas. Although there were indigenous grapes before the Spanish conquest, the Spaniards found that Spanish grapevines also did very well in the colony of New Spain (Mexico) and by the 17th century wine exports from Spain to the New World fell. In 1699, Charles II of Spain prohibited wine making in Mexico, with the exception of wine for Church purposes. From then until Mexico’s Independence, wine was produced in Mexico only on a small scale.
Dehesa del Carrizal is a Vino de Pago from Spain. This is the highest category on the quality scale of Spanish wines and means that in addition to having a proven track record of consistent quality, the wines have to be both produced from estate-grown grapes and also have to be processed and aged in a winery (bodega) located on the estate.
Mendoza Province is Argentina's most important wine region, accounting for nearly two-thirds of the country's entire wine production. Located in the eastern foothills of the Andes, in the shadow of Aconcagua, vineyards are planted at some of the highest altitudes in the world, with the average site located 600–1,100 metres (2,000–3,600 ft) above sea level. The principal wine producing areas fall into two main departments-Maipú and Luján, which includes Argentina's first delineated appellation established in 1993 in Luján de Cuyo. The pink-skinned grapes of Criolla Grande and Cereza account for more than a quarter of all plantings but Malbec is the region's most important planting, followed closely by Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo and Chardonnay. Mendoza is considered the heart of the winemaking industry in Argentina with the vast majority of large wineries located in the provincial capital of Mendoza.
Pedro Giménez is a white Argentine wine grape that is rapidly declining in plantings. Despite the similar name, the Spanish wine grape Pedro Ximénez is a different variety with ampelographers are not yet certain if the two grapes are in any way related. Grown predominantly in the Mendoza wine region, Pedro Giménez makes simple wines similar to those made from Cereza and Criolla Grande. It is also grown in Bolivia, where it is made into single varietal wine at the Uvairenda winery in Samaipata. There are some plantings in Chile where it is a minor grape in pisco production.