By
February, 13 2025
We’re often asked where to find great value-for-money wines, and Chile is always at the top of our list. It’s one of the few places where, for under 70 AED, you can get wines that not only highlight specific regions but also showcase terroir-driven wines.
A perfect example? The
Origin Gran Reserva range from
Viñedos Chocolán, now available at
The Bottle Store in Al Ghadeer (just 30 minutes from Dubai) for an incredible
65 AED per bottle. These wines hail from Maipo’s coastal vineyards—an area known for producing beautifully balanced, expressive wines.
Why The Terroir of Chilean Wines Stands Out
Most wines in Chile are from the country’s warm inland area, ideal for full-bodied reds, the coastal regions benefit from cooling influences of the ocean. This extends the grape-growing season, allowing fruit to develop more intense flavors while maintaining freshness and acidity.
As Chile is a country that extends along the foothills of the Andes mountains, many vineyards here also sit on granite-rich soils—essentially rocky terrain with little water retention—forcing vines to root deeper into the earth. This struggle results in stronger vines and wines with greater complexity and concentration. It also means that the vines can survive in areas without irrigation – an important winemaking consideration in the face of climate change.
Chocolan Origin Gran Reserva Chardonnay
The
San Antonio Valley is a coastal wine region
south of Casablanca, where the Pacific Ocean plays a key role in cooling the vineyards. This area benefits from morning mist and from
cool winds that allows the grapes to ripen slowly while keeping their natural acidity.
Chocolan Origin Gran Reserva Syrah
Moving inland,
Maipo Valley is one of Chile’s most
historic and prestigious wine regions, sitting just outside Santiago. Often referred to as the
Bordeaux of South America, Maipo has long been known for Cabernet Sauvignon, but
Syrah is quickly making a name for itself here. While Syrah is a relatively new planting in Maipo, it has thrived in the region’s
warm, dry climate, which allows for full ripeness. Since 2000, Syrah plantings in Chile have grown by
over 200%, and this particular bottle was even featured on
Vivino’s Top 10 Syrahs from Chile.
Incredible Quality at an Unbeatable Price
At just
65 AED each, these
terroir-driven wines offer
exceptional value. If you love wines with character and regional expression, this is your chance to stock up on something special—without breaking the bank.
Find
Chocolán Origin Gran Reserva, and more ranges from Chocolan now at
The Bottle Store in Al Ghadeer and taste the beauty of Chile for yourself!
The Wines we tasted