Maipo Valley

Cabernet Sauvignon is the simplest way into Maipo. Puente Alto and Pirque are names associated with the Andean side, where river deposits and mountain air form a distinctive growing environment. The larger valley also includes warmer and lower sites, so the appellation covers more than one version of Chilean Cabernet.

The foothill vineyards show why a warm country can produce reds with freshness and firm structure. Cold air descends from the Andes, while gravelly alluvial sites drain freely. If a label adds Andes or a smaller place name, that narrows the location; it does not specify the amount of oak or the exact blend.