6 superb South American wines to swoon over

Think glorious sunshine, piercing blue skies and summer in full swing… now’s the perfect time to explore South America’s vibrant wine scene.

It’s a powerhouse for pleasure and a go-to destination for wine tourism, top-tier tastings and some of the world’s best vineyards, when it comes to indulging in a good-time glass, armchair travellers are spoilt for choice.

With its diverse range of styles – from noble grapes, such as chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon; to signature varieties like carménère and tannat; not to mention the mighty malbec, these top drops will dispel the winter chill.

With perfect growing conditions, Chile excels at cabernet sauvignon and this one’s a real beauty – from one of the country’s giants and leading wine estate, it wildly overdelivers for its price. Exuberant fruit and enticing savoury notes, blackcurrant aromas with hints of vanilla and balsamic lead to a layered palate with ripe blueberry and blackberry fruit, bright acidity, and lick of vanilla on the finish.

A winemakers’ playground, Uruguay’s diverse terroir and maritime influence shapes wines with elegance and structure – and tannat its signature grape. Deliciously inky with aromas of dark, plummy fruit, figs and florals, with notes of blackberry coming into play; it’s very approachable, a softer style with a smooth, pleasant finish. A glass that’s hard to put down.

A crisp chardonnay without any oak influence, this poised Patagonian (from the country’s southernmost region) offers plenty of citrus and green apple snap with hints of pear and a tropical note, a fresh structure, finishing refreshingly bright and uplifting.

Another little cracker from Chile, De Martino is one of its most respected producers and pioneer of carménère – the country’s signature red grape. Captivatingly aromatic with characteristic green pepper notes, there’s a lovely, leafy freshness to the plummy, blackberry, and dark cherry fruit which glides along beautifully; with savoury undertones kicking in, finishing long with smooth tannins.

Named ‘Best Malbec of Argentina’ on its debut vintage, OPI continues its winning streak with this latest release. Very approachable and velvety smooth, there’s lots to love about Argentina’s flagship red grape – and this more than delivers with plenty of jammy blueberry, plum and blackcurrant fruit; framed by pretty florals and focus on ripeness, in an easy-drinking, refreshing style.

One of the most famous Argentinian producers, Zuccardi winery are behind this brilliant own-label… and boy, does it deliver in spades. Voted World’s Best Vineyard for three consecutive years, along with being the pinnacle of wine tourism, its portfolio of whites and reds is highly rated. Floral and perfumed with wonderful concentration, violets, wild herbs and blueberries draw you in, with plush, palate-coating, plum, loganberry and dark fruits; with smooth tannins and long, lingering finish, cheers to sunnier climes!