There’s something I quite like about the Vivino Wine Style Awards, and that is that the winning wines are entirely selected by consumers. Based on the reviews of 35 million users (although some are undeniably more prolific than others!) each year the Vivino tech team take a look at the reviews and ratings of all the wines on the app and tot up the scores to see which wines in which categories came out on top. This includes several categories for the best wines in South America.

This is the fifth year of Vivino’s awards and, as the most-downloaded wine app in the world, it takes into account 120 million ratings. Anyone can add their rating and each opinion holds equal value – no matter if you are a first-time wine buyer or a seasoned wine drinker with 1,000 bottles in one’s cellar.

Vivino is effectively the TripAdvisor of wine, for better or worse. On the downside, a few ratings could destroy the ranking of a wine perhaps because the consumer misunderstood the category or was drinking a faulty bottle. However, on the positive side, the Vivino Wine Style Awards are an unparalleled barometer of what wines are accessible in the global market and which offer enough enjoyment and relative value to be worth the coveted five-star rating.

Appealing to the mass market is also nothing to be sniffed at, and it is certainly harder to make a wine that excites thousands of different palates than a wine that appeases to just one critic. Winning a Vivino Wine Style Award shows that all the cogs of that winery are working together: excellent market positioning, good marketing and global reputation, and, last but certainly not least, making a damn good wine that everyone enjoys.

Here are the highlights of South America’s best-rated wines on Vivino, and arguably the consumers choice of the best wines in South America, with my own verdict of the winners and category.

Drum roll please, for South America’s Vivino Wine Style Awards winners (and Top 10s) of 2019:

Best rated wines from Argentina

Best Bonarda from Argentina

Nicola Catena Parcela Bonarda 2014: Vivino Wine Style Award Winner 

With a 4.57 star rating, this Argentine Bonarda from Catena Zapata took the top position. It was 0.3 stars ahead of the next Bonarda and received over double the ratings of any other Bonarda in the category (564 ratings), proving it is certainly a more accessible Bonarda and one that is enjoyed and valued in the international market.

My verdict: Bonarda is one of the most planted varieties in Argentina although I feel it is still finding its feet in terms of identity. We are certainly looking at a couple of the top proponents of Bonarda in this Top 10 but the top star ranking is relatively low compared to other categories in Argentina, and the last three entries don’t quite achieve 4 stars. For me, Bonarda also suits the fresher, juicier, easier-to-drink style (like Riccitelli’s wine on the list) so I wonder if that skews the perception of a ‘5-star’ wine. Top ratings tend to lend themselves to full-bodied, concentrated styles.  

My pick of the top 10: Zuccardi Emma (but definitely worth looking for a newer vintage)

2. El Enemigo, Bonarda 2012

3. Nieto Senetiner, Limited Edition Bonarda 2013

4. Nieto Senetiner, Bonarda 2012

5. Zuccardi, Emma Bonarda 2014

6. Trapiche, Broquel Bonarda 2016

7. Valle de la Puerta, Gran Reserva Bonarda 2014

8. Saint Felicien, Bonarda 2015

9. Matias Riccitelli, The Apple Doesn’t Fall Far From The Tree 2014

10. Trapiche, Estacion 1883 Bonarda 2016

 

Best Red Blend in Argentina (Bordeaux Varieties)

Catena Zapata Estiba Reservada 2006: Vivino Wine Style Award Winner

This is notably the oldest vintage in the Top 10 which takes the top prize, and it has less reviews than some of the others in the category (75, compared to Felipe Rutini’s 378 for example). However, Catena Zapata‘s Estiba Reservada has a whopping great 4.75 star review average (and the 1994 vintage has 4.9, although based on just 40 ratings). You’d be hard-pushed to find this on sale today and it has since become quite elusive in production, although you might find a collector’s edition for upwards of $500 USD.

My verdict: In my opinion, Bordeaux blends are some of the most exciting luxury red wines in Argentina so it is nice to see a diversity of producers across the top 10 although ratings of these wines are relatively low in volume, perhaps due to high prices. It would be interesting to see how this category performs if we were to exclude the vintage on the wine, I hope we’d see the same diversity of producers although I wouldn’t be so sure! This category is one of the few categories in the Argentine awards where no one single winery claimed more than one spot in the top 10.

My pick of the top 10: Bressia Conjuro

2. Pulenta Estate, La Zulema Red Blend 2010

3. Rutini, Felipe Rutini 2009

4. Bianchi, Enzo Bianchi 2012

5. Sottano, Judas 2013

6. Norton, Garnet Langes 2014

7. Susana Balbo, Nosotros Sofita 2013

8. Bressia, Conjuro 2010

9. Tapiz, Las Notas de Jean Claude 2012

10. Cheval des Andes 2014

Best Cabernet Sauvignon in Argentina

Viña Cobos Bramare Marchiori Vineyards 2013: Vivino Wine Style Award Winner

With a 4.55 star rating (based on 176 reviews) Cobos takes the top with their Bramare Marchiori Cabernet Sauvignon, which costs an average of $85 USD. Interestingly the same wine, just the 2011 vintage, comes in fourth. The most-reviewed Cabernet Sauvignon on the list is Catena’s Cabernet-Cabernet, which has 389 reviews, and an average of 4.4 star rating. And Catena Zapata dominates this category with five of the top 10.

My verdict: Paul Hobbs has always been considered a reference of Cabernet Sauvignon in Argentina (his experience in Napa doesn’t do him any harm) and it is no surprise that the old vine Cabernet of Marchiori Vineyard trumps the category, and Cobos reappears in fourth place too. Although Malbec is far better known from Argentina, the Cabernet category in Argentina is actually relatively tight – there is less than 0.2 star difference of rating between positions one and ten in the ranking. It was Catena Zapata that first brought Hobbs to Mendoza to consult on making their own Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay better, and so it is also perhaps no coincidence we see Catena take five of the top 10 spots. Although the rankings are competitive with each other, Cabernet in Argentina is still underrated in my opinion. The bare fact is that it just doesn’t sell as well as Malbec, so we are really seeing Cabernet specialists with a big presence in the US (land of Cabernet lovers) dominate the top 10. Two producers take 70% of the top 10 listings!

My pick of the top 10: Viña Cobos Bramare Marchiori Vineyards

2. Catena Zapata, La Piramide Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (DV Catena) 2011

3. Septima, 10 Barricas Gran Reserva 2011

4. Viña Cobos, Bramare Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

5. Catena Zapata, Nicasia Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (DV Catena) 2013

6. Catena Zapata, Nicasia Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (DV Catena) 2013

7. Catena Zapata, Cabernet Sauvignon Alta (Angelica Zapata) 2010

8. Bodega Tacuil, Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

9. Salentein, Primus Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

10. Catena Zapata, Domingo Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (DV Catena) 2013

 

Best Cabernet – Malbec blend from Argentina

Viña Cobos Volturno 2013: Vivino Wine Style Award Winner

With a 4.8 rating, one of the highest in the Argentine line up, Volturno is an undisputed winner in this category (0.23 stars above the next). Volturno also has more ratings (174 ratings) than any of the other wines in the Top 10, so it is clearly a ruling by many wine lovers rather than just a few.

My verdict: This is a slightly odd category because it could also be seen to share space with the Bordeaux blend category, however, Malbec-Cabernet blends are undeniably important in Argentina and we see some really iconic wines in this Top 10 list. Again, much like the Bordeaux blend category, we see ten different producers factor into the top 10 which proves the great diversity there is within this category and that many wineries are turning out excellent examples of Malbec-Cab blends. It’s definitely a premium category and some of the prices of the wines in this category are the highest of all the South American Vivino Wine Style Awards winners.

My pick of the top 10: Catena Zapata, Nicolas Catena

2. Catena Zapata, Nicolas Catena Zapata 2008

3. Salentein, Gran VU Blend 2012

4. Alta Vista, Alto 2007

5. San Pedro de Yacochuya, Tinto 2011

6. Zuccardi, Zeta 2009

7. Piattelli, Arlene Serie Blend 2013

8. Tikal, Jubilo 2014

9. Malbec De Angeles, Viña 1924 2013

10. El Esteco, Chañar Punco 2012

 

Best Chardonnay in Argentina

Catena Zapata Adrianna Vineyard White Bones 2012: Vivino Wine Style Award Winner

With a 4.47 star rating (not 4.3 as advertised above), White Bones just overtakes White Stones (which receives a 4.40 rating) in the ranking for top Chardonnay from Argentina. this duo comes from Catena Zapata’s Adrianna Vineyard in Gualtallary and is the result of soil studies and separation of lots in order to show the impact of the terroir on the wine. The lots are just a moment’s walk from each other but they make distinctive wines and it is interesting to see that Bones was the people’s choice above Stones. Another duo of terroir-driven Chardonnay wines takes 3rd and 4th spot – with Cobos’ Chardonnay from Lujan and Uco respectively.

My verdict: If there’s one winemaker who could claim to be the best Chardonnay maker in Argentina, it is clearly Alejandro Vigil (responsible for making six out of ten of the Chardonnays on the list!) The most rated Chardonnay by a long shot is Chardonnay Alta by Catena with 746 ratings – suggesting that this is actually the Catena Chardonnay people are drinking (rather than the 77 reviews for Bones and 60 reviews for Stones). Interestingly El Enemigo (Vigil’s brand with Adrianna Catena) is the next most-reviewed with 320 ratings, and shows that Catena tribe clearly have a big presence in the global market – dominating this category once again.

My pick of the top 10: Catena Zapata, White Bones

2. Catena Zapata, Adrianna Vineyard White Stones Chardonnay 2014

3. Viña Cobos, Bramare Marchiori Vineyard Chardonnay 2017

4. Viña Cobos, Los Arbolitos Vineyard Chardonnay 2016

5. Catena Zapata, Angelica Zapata Chardonnay Alta 2014

6. Casa Boher, Gran Chardonnay 2016

7. Catena Zapata, DV Catena Chardonnay-Chardonnay 2012

8. Rutini, Apartado Gran Chardonnay 2015

9. El Enemigo, Chardonnay 2014

10. Catena Zapata, Catena Alta 2016

 

Best Malbec in Argentina

Monteviejo Lindaflor La Violeta Malbec 2010: Vivino Wine Style Award Winner

With a 4.82 rating, this is actually the highest rating of all the Argentine wines in the awards (and only a 0.01 smidgen behind being the top scoring wine in South America) – it is also one of the most competitive categories in South America. So no small beer for Monteviejo to take the title with their ultra-premium La Violeta Malbec. The best Argentine Malbec is, as you’d expect, a very tight category and there’s only a 0.23 star difference between number one and number ten on the list (and only a 0.02 difference between position one and two).

My verdict: We are looking at some of the most expensive and critically acclaimed Malbecs in the world on this top 10 list, so it is no surprise that the scores are high. However, it is surprising and a bit disappointing to me that we have two producers who dominate the category in a category which is undoubtedly the biggest category not only for Argentina, but for South America. Here we can see that Viña Cobos (with four listings) and Catena Zapata (with three) are triumphant not only because of the quality of Malbec but also their distribution network, most especially throughout the US (the main Malbec market). Cobos, in fact, has the greatest volume of ratings in this category – between their four wines listed they have 725 ratings, compared to just 388 ratings in total for the other six wines in the top 10. We are looking at a battle of the Titans in this category and, while there is far too little diversity in the category for my liking, it is nice to see a couple of Davids pop their heads between the Goliaths. 

My pick of the top 10: Monteviejo, Lindaflor La Violeta

2. Viña Cobos, Malbec 2013

3. Viña Cobos, Marchiori Vineyard Malbec 2015

4. Viña Cobos, Chañares Vineyard Malbec 2015

5. Susana Balbo, Nosotros 2014

6. Catena Zapata, Adrianna River Stones 2012

7. Catena Zapata, Adrianna Mundus Bacillus Terrae Malbec 2011

8. Catena Zapata, Malbec Argentino 2009

9. Viña Cobos, Bramare Marchiori Vineyard Malbec 2013

10. Zuccardi, Aluvional Altamira 2011

 

Best Argentine Merlot

Catena Zapata, Angelica Zapata Merlot Alta 2012: Vivino Wine Style Award Winner

With an average of 4.38 stars, Catena Zapata’s Merlot takes the top spot in this diverse category which includes wines from ten different producers and various wine regions in the top 10. Catena’s Merlot was the second-most rated Merlot in the category (with 131 reviews), following Rutini’s Merlot which had 286 ratings and 4.29 stars.

My verdict: Merlot isn’t the most competitive category in Argentina (hence the lower range of scores running from 4.38 down to 3.9 in the top 10) although it’s nice to see such a range of producers and regions in this category. Producers from the Uco Valley, from Lujan, from Maipu, from San Rafael, from Neuquen and from Rio Negro figure in the top 10 giving us a surprising diversity for a category in Argentina which few people really talk about. This is also one of the more affordable categories in the reds of Argentina. One to explore.

My pick of the top 10: Matias Riccitelli Merlot 

2. Rutini, Merlot 2015

3. Casa Bianchi, Particular Merlot 2014

4. Humberto Canale, Marcus Gran Reserva Merlot 2014

5. Matias Riccitelli, Merlot 2015

6. Mariflor, Merlot 2012

7. Bodega Atamisque, Catalpa Merlot 2016

8. Luigi Bosca, Merlot 2016

9. Salentein, Barrel Selection Merlot 2016

10. Schroeder, Saurus Select Merlot 2015

 

Best Pinot Noir in Argentina

Bodega Chacra, Trienta y Dos Pinot Noir 2014: Vivino Wine Style Award Winner

With an average of 4.46 stars, Bodega Chacra’s old vine Pinot Noir from Rio Negro claims the top spot on the list. All of the top Pinot Noirs claimed an average of over 4.19 stars, and the most rated was Alma Negra’s Pinot Noir (with 370 ratings).

My verdict: This wine from Bodega Chacra has long been recognised as one of the best – if not the best – Pinot Noirs from South America, so it is no surprise it comes out on top. Deservedly so. We also see two other wines from this biodynamic producer in the top 10 (including their no added sulphur Pinot). There’s a good mix of regions and producers in the list, and I also find it particularly encouraging to see a newcomer such as Estancia Uspallata make it into the top five.

My pick of the top 10: Chacra, Trienta y Dos

2. Bressia, Piel Negra Pinot Noir 2014

3. Salentein, Primus Pinot Noir 2007

4. Chacra, Cincuenta y Cinco Pinot Noir 2014

5. Estancia Uspallata, Pinot Noir 2015

6. Alma Negra, Pinot Noir 2015

7. Catena Zapata, DV Catena Pinot Noir 2015

8. Chacra, Sin Azufre Pinot Noir 2017

9. Rutini, Pinot Noir 2014

10. Catena Zapata, Saint Felicien Tributo a Raul Soldi Pinot Noir 2013

 

Best Argentine Sauvignon Blanc

Rutini Sauvignon Blanc 2015: Vivino Wine Style Award winner

With 4.09 start on average, this Rutini Sauvignon Blanc isn’t only the highest scoring but also the most rated with 253 reviews. The Sauvignon Blanc category isn’t the most highly rated in Argentine wine, running from averages of 4.09 stars to 3.72 stars, however there is a pleasing diversity of producers in this top 10.

My verdict: There’s a nice range of regions (from Salta, Mendoza and even the coast of Argentina) and also styles of Sauvignon Blanc here. Although the category doesn’t claim the highest scores, it does show that there is a style of Sauvignon Blanc for everyone: including wines made in oak, cement and stainless steel. There are highly perfumed and pungent Sauvignon Blancs in this category but also more subtle and austere styles. We see some less ‘commercial’ styles creep in here and also some smaller producers, making this one of the more varied categories from Argentina for sure.

My pick of the top 10: Zorzal, Eggo Blanc de Cal

2. Colome, Lote Especial 2017

3. Lagarde, Guarda Coleccion de Viñedos Sauvignon Blanc 2017

4. Salentein, Selection Sauvignon Blanc 2017

5. Bodega Rolland, Mariflor Sauvignon Blanc 2014

6. Zorzal, Eggo Blanc de Cal 2015

7. Salentein, Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2016

8. Passionate Wine, Montesco Agua de Roca 2017

9. Trapiche, Costa & Pampa Sauvignon Blanc 2017

10. Catena Zapata, Saint Felicien Sauvignon Blanc 2015

 

Best Syrah in Argentina

Fernando Dupont, Sikuri Syrah de Altura 2016: Vivino Wine Style Award Winner

With an average of 4.38 stars, this Syrah by Fernando Dupont just pips the Pascual Toso (4.37) to the post for Argentina’s best Syrah in this year’s Vivino Wine Style Awards. The most reviewed Syrah in the top 10 was in fact Catena’s Syrah with an impressive 582 reviews – more ratings than any other wine in the Argentine Wine Style Awards this year.

My verdict: I’m really happy to see a Syrah from Jujuy take the trophy (the other top spots are dominated by wines from Mendoza, in particular, the Uco Valley). There’s quite a nice range in this category of regions and small to large producers, and I’m thrilled to see a couple of small producers in the top 5. Syrah is a tricky sell for wine in general, so it is also quite encouraging that it was a Syrah (Catena’s in this case) which was also the most-rated wine in Argentina’s top 10s in this year’s awards. 

My pick of the top 10: Sikuri Syrah de Altura

2. Pascual Toso, Barrancas Vineyards Alta Syrah 2014

3. Escorihuela Gascon, Pequeñas Producciones Syrah 2011

4. Bodega La Azul, Gran Syrah 2014

5. Catena Zapata, DV Catena Syrah-Syrah 2015

6. Rutini, Syrah 2014

7. Salentein, Numina Syrah 2012

8. Luca, Laborde Double Select Syrah 2014

9. Finca Las Moras, Gran Syrah 2012

10. Luigi Bosca, Syrah 2015

 

Best Torrontes in Argentina

San Pedro de Yacahuya, Torrontes 2016: Vivino Wine Style Awards winner

With an average of 4.07 stars, this one also was of the most-rated Torrontes wines in the top 10 (with 319 ratings). Although the scores in general are lower than most of the other Argentine categories, the scores are quite tight in the top 10 with only a 0.18 star difference between the top spot and number 10.

My verdict: Torrontés is unsurprisingly one of the more economic categories in the Argentine selection of Vivino’s Wine Style Awards, and – perhaps unsurprisingly – it is one of the most expensive Torrontés on the list that gets the top spot.  However, the most rated Torrontés was Steakwine (with 383 ratings) oddly enough from a 1998 vintage and only available in Russia as far as I can tell… I’m not sure about the wine at all, but I certainly would never recommend Torrontés with steak! Aside from this pink elephant on the list, there’s a nice range of Torrontés here from poolside, cheap and cheerful wines to more serious stuff.

My pick of the top 10: El Esteco, Old Vines Torrontes

2. Bodega El Porvenir, Laborum Single Vineyard Finca El Retiro Torrontes 2016

3. Anko, Torrontes 2017

4. Piattelli, High Altitude Torrontes 2016

5. El Esteco, Old Vines Torrontes 2016

6. Pasarisa, Torrontes 2016

7. Steakwine, Torrontes 1998

8. Catena Zapata, Torrontes 2017

9. Domingo Molina, Torrontes 2017

10. Susana Balbo, Signature Barrel Fermented Torrontes 2016

 

Best rated wines from Brazil

There are a lot of Vivino users in Brazil and so we get three categories from Brazil, which is a refreshing change and more than you get in most wine awards. The Brazilian Vivino community also have a large influence on the Chilean and Argentine wines rated on the app (hence why certain brands with major availability in Brazil perform particularly well too).

Best Cabernet Sauvignon from Brazil

Lidio Carraro Solo Cabernet Sauvignon 2004: Vivino Wine Style Award winner

With an average of 4.44 stars, Lidio Carraro‘s Cabernet Sauvignon comes in at the top for Brazil. It has 63 ratings from the past year, which is just a fraction of the most-rated Cabernet Sauvignon from Brazil last year, Millesimé with 554 ratings, from one of Brazil’s largest wine producers and co-ops, Aurora.

My verdict: Cabernet Sauvignon is a new category for Brazil in the Vivino Wine Style Awards and it is nice to see it come in with such a range of producers. It’s also interesting to see that within this category there’s a good range of wine producers – from the smaller, family wineries through to Brazil’s biggest co-op.

My pick of the top 10: Lidio Carraro, Solo

2. Vinicola Perico, Benedictum Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

3. Vinicola Hiragami, Comendador Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

4. Casa Valduga, Villa-Lobos Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

5. Aurora, Millesimé Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

6. Ravanello, Premium Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

7. Don Abel, Rota 324 Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

8. Jolimont, Morro Calçado Recolte Secrete Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

9. Casa Marques Pereira, Segredos da Adega Cabernet Sauvignon Gran Reserva 2007

10. Boscato, Gran Cave Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

 

Best Merlot in Brazil

Pizzato DNA 99 Single Vineyard Merlot 2012: Vivino Wine Style Award winner

With 4.4 stars on average, this is not on the top-rated Merlot but also has the second-greatest number of ratings in the Merlot category (with 384 ratings, compared to 442 ratings for Miolo’s Merlot). Merlot is, in fact, the category with the most ratings overall, proving that this is one of Brazil’s champion grape varieties.

My verdict: Merlot is one of Brazil’s most competitive categories, especially from the Vale dos Vinhedos region where this winning Merlot comes from. Pizzato‘s DNA 99 has always been a highly rated Merlot in Brazil and it isn’t surprising it comes in top, although this is a very competitive category for Brazil. There’s a good range of producers in the top 10, showing just how competitive it is.

My pick of the top 10: Pizzato DNA 99

2. Luiz Argenta, Merlot Uvas Desidratadas 2009

3. Casa Valduga, Storia Merlot 2012

4. Almaúnica, Parte 2 Merlot 2012

5. Milantino, Reserva Merlot 2004

6. Miolo, Terroir Merlot 2012

7. Lidio Carraro, Merlot Grande Vindima 2008

8. Marco Luigi, Reserva da Familia Merlot 2013

9. Terragnolo, Merlot 2013

10. Casa Valduga, Leopoldina Terroir Merlot 2012

 

Best sparkling wine in Brazil

Jolimont Moscatel Brut 2014: Vivino Wine Style Award winner

With an average of 4.39 stars, this off-dry Moscatel comes in as the top winner of one of the most competitive categories in Brazilian wine. It is also the most rated sparkling wine on the list with 187 reviews.

My verdict: Brazilian sparkling wine is a force to be reckoned with and this is a really tight category with only 0.29 star difference between the top spot and place 10 on the list. Geisse and Valduga are both top bubbly producers in Brazil so it is unsurprising that they dominate the category (with Geisse taking half of the top 10 listings!) However it is quite interesting to see that the overall winner is one of the cheapest sparkling wines on the list – a lower alcohol, sweeter Moscatel. This is definitely more of a crowd-pleaser rather than a sophisticated sparkling (like Geisse), but the people have spoken!

My pick of the top 10: Cave Geisse Terroir Nature

2. Cave Geisse, Terroir Nature 2014

3. Cave Geisse, Terroir Rosé 2013

4. Casa Valduga, RSV Reserva Moscatel Espumante 2017

5. Cave Geisse, Blanc de Noir Brut 2014

6. Valmarino, Valmarino & Churchill Champenoise Natural Extra Brut 2014

7. Casa Valduga, Gran Nature Espumante 2012

8. Cave Geisse, Extra Brut 2014

9. Garibaldi, Moscatel NV

10. Cave Geisse, Blanc de Blanc Brut 2015

 

Best rated wines from Chile

Best Chilean Bordeaux Blend

El Principal Andetelmo 2014: Vivino Wine Style Awards winner

With an average rating of 4.71, El Principal‘s Andetelmo blend takes the trophy in this competitive category which sees some of the top wines from around Chile compete. It isn’t the most-rated wine in the category, but it sits somewhere in the middle with 164 ratings. The most-rated by a longshot, and the most rated in all of South America’s award winners is EPU by Almaviva which has a mind-blowing 1347 ratings!

My verdict: This is easily one of the most competitive categories in Chile and there are some outstanding wines on the list. I’m flabbergasted at the sheer volume of ratings for EPU, most especially as it is one I have never seen or tasted (I believe it goes to the Asian market). Aside from that, there are no surprises on this list – they are all well-respected and excellent quality wines showing Chile’s affinity for Bordeaux blends. 

My pick of the top 10: Almaviva 2005

2. Almaviva 2005

3. Lapostolle, Clos Apalta 2009

4. Cousiño-Macul, Lota 2010

5. Casa Silva, Altura 2008

6. Errazuriz, Don Maximiliano 2009

7. Valdivieso, Caballo Loco Grand Cru Sagrada Familia 2009

8. Almaviva EPU 2015

9. Viña VIK, A 2010

10. Valdivieso, Caballo Loco Grand Cru Apalta 2015

 

Best Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

Viñedo Chadwick 2014: Vivino Wine Style Awards winner

The highest scoring wine out of all of the South American awards winners (although very closely followed by Monteviejo‘s Lindaflor Malbec), Viñedo Chadwick is at the top spot with an average star rating of 4.83 (out of 59 ratings). Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon is another tight category and the most rated Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile in the top ten is Gadolina’s Las 3 Marias with 157 ratings.

My verdict: There’s been a lot of press attention given to this wine and so I’m not surprised at all that it takes the top ranking. It is a great wine, with finesse, elegance and character, and if you are forking out the $250 USD to taste it, chances are you are already sold on its reputation beforehand. There are some great wines in the category and with over half coming from Maipo it goes to show that this is the favoured terroir for Chilean Cab. One of the highest-scoring line ups from Chile, as expected for the country’s most planted grape variety.

My pick of the top 10: Viñedo Chadwick.

2. Montes, Taita Marchigüe Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

3. Don Melchor, Cabernet Sauvignon 2001

4. Santa Rita, Casa Real 2011

5. Quebrada de Macul, Domus Aurea 2007

6. Top Winemakers, 100 Barricas 2011

7. Calcu, Futa 2010

8. San Pedro, Cabo de Hornos 2014

9. Gandolini, Las 3 Marias Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

10. Carmen, Gold Reserve 2009

 

Best Chilean Carménere

Concha y Toro, Carmín de Puemo Carménere 2009: Vivino Wine Style Award winner

With an average star rating of 4.73, this Carmenere from Concha y Toro is ahead of all the competition although it isn’t the most-rated Carmenere on Vivino (it has 131 ratings, compared to the 285 ratings for Montes’ Purple Angel).

My verdict: These are all quite pricey Carménere wines that make the list and each one plays into the riper, richer style of Carménere from Chile’s warmer regions. There isn’t much diversity in style on this list and none of these choices are surprising as high-scoring wines. They all score quite well (above 4.41) showing that this lush style of Carmenere is well-appreciated in the market, at least for this price range. 

My pick of the top 10: Santa Carolina Herencia

2. Santa Carolina, Herencia Carmenere 2010

3. Casa Silva, Microterroir de Los Lingues Carmenere 2008

4. Montes, Purple Angel 2013

5. Maturana, MW Carmenere 2015

6. San Pedro, Tierras Moradas Carmenere 2015

7. Viña La Rosa, Carmenere 2013

8. Viu Manent, El Incidente Carmenere 2013

9. Araucano, Alka Carmenere 2015

10. Undurraga, Founder’s Collection Carmenere 2013

 

Best Chilean Chardonnay

Ventisquero, Tara Chardonnay 2014: Vivino Wine Style Awards winner

With an average of 4.32 stars, this limited production Chardonnay from the Atacama region in the north of Chile took top spot by a lead of 0.17 stars. The range of scores in this top 10 runs down to 4.05, showing that Chardonnay is quite a strong category for Chile – albeit not the highest scoring.

My verdict: There’s a massive range of styles, regions and producers in this line up and it is great to see the diversity of Chilean Chardonnay being appreciated by global consumers.  Argentina actually has a stronger average score for their top 10 Chardonnays but almost all of theirs came from the Uco Valley in Mendoza whereas the Chilean Chardonnay category ranges from coast to mountains, from the Atacama down to Malleco. It is a diverse and delicious category. I’d happily sit down to any of these – there’s high quality across the board here and much more accessible price points than the Argentine Chardonnay class.

My pick of the top 10: Aquitania Sol de Sol

2. Garces Silva, Amayna Chardonnay 2015

3. Veramonte, Ritual, Supertuga Block Chardonnay 2016

4. Concha y Toro, Amelia Chardonnay 2015

5. Casas del Bosque, Chardonnay Gran Reserva 2015

6. Aquitania, Sol de Sol Chardonnay 2013

7. Lapostolle, Cuvee Alexandre Chardonnay 2015

8. Pandolfi Price, Los Patricios Chardonnay 2015

9. Leyda, Falaris Hill Vineyard 2015

10. Maycas del Limari, Quebrada Seca Chardonnay 2013

 

Best Chilean Malbec

Viu Manente, Viu 1 2008: Vivino Wine Style Awards winner

Viu Manent takes the top spot for Chilean Malbec with an average of 4.5 stars cast over 84 reviews. We go from an average of 4.5 down to 3.95 stars.

My verdict: Chile has more Malbec than you imagine, as this category shows. There’s a diversity of regions here but stylistically most of these wines are quite similar – and it proves what’s working in the market at the moment. I don’t find this the most exciting category but it clearly proves that there is a demand for Chilean Malbec in the market. 

My pick of the top 10: Morande Malmau

2. Viña Chocalán, Vitrum Malbec 2013

3. Luis Felipe Edwards, 900 Malbec 2012

4. Loma Larga, Malbec 2011

5. Luis Felipe Edwards, Family Selection Gran Reserva Malbec 2015

6. La Finca, Clos d’Angel Malbec 2015

7. Viu Manent, San Carlos Estate Malbec 2015

8. San Pedro, 1865 Single Vineyard Malbec 2015

9. Altamana, Grande Reserve Malbec 2014

10. Morande, Adventure Malmau Malbec 2013

 

Best Chilean Merlot

Santa Ema, Gran Reserva Merlot 2017: Vivino Wine Style Award winner

Santa Ema takes the trophy for the top rated Merlot from Chile with an average score of 4.2. It is also the most-rated Merlot with 223 ratings this last year.

My verdict: This is a very wallet-friendly top 10 with several of these coming in under $25 USD. The scores aren’t particularly high though, none of them reach the heights of the other categories in Chilean wine and I think Chilean Merlot is a category that needs a bit more attention in the future in order to make wines that move beyond good value to wines that are memorable and exciting.

My pick of the top 10: Santa Ema

2. Miguel Torres, Las Mulas Reserva 2016

3. Valdivieso, Single Valley Lot Gran Reserva Merlot 2011

4. Casablanca, Nimbus Estate Merlot 2014

5. Casa Silva, Gran Terroir de Los Andes Angostura Merlot 2016

6. Viña Tinajas, Merlot 2016

7. Marques de Casa Concha, Merlot 2009

8. Montes, Alpha Merlot 2012

9. Lapostolle, Cuvee Alexandre Merlot 2012

10. Ventisquero, Grey Merlot 2015

 

Best Chilean Pinot Noir

Ventisquero Herú Pinot Noir 2015: Vivino Wine Style Award winner

 

With an average rating of 4.39, Ventisquero‘s Heru comes in top although its 83 ratings are quite shy compared to the 263 ratings for Amayna and the 307 ratings for Casas del Bosque’s Gran Reserva. The range of scores are all above 4 stars, with tenth place at 4.07 starts.

My verdict: It isn’t surprising that coastal Pinot Noir wines dominate the category and there’s actually quite a nice range of different producers in this class. The dominant style is however bolder Pinot Noir styles and we don’t see many of the delicate styles of Pinot Noir being made in Chile today fall into the top 10.

My pick of the top 10: Montes Outer Limits

2. Cono Sur, Ocio 2014

3. Garces Silva, Amayna 2014

4. Montes, Outer Limits, Zapallar Coast Pinot Noir 2016

5. PS Garcia, Sofia Pinot Noir 2016

6. Villard, Grand Vin, Le Pinot Noir 2013

7. Casa Marin, Lo Abarca Hills Pinot Noir 2011

8. Casas del Bosque, Pequeñas Producciones 2015

9. Casas del Bosque, Gran Reserva Pinot Noir 2016

10. El Infiernillo, Pinot Noir 2015

 

Best Chilean Sauvignon Blanc

Longaví Sauvignon Blanc 2015: Vivino Wine Style Award winner

Sauvignon Blanc is a crowded category in Chile, so it is nice to see a lesser-known Sauvignon Blanc from Longavi (a partnership with Bouchon) take the title. The top three wines are actually really within a whisker of each other – Longavi has an average of 4.127 stars, Casas del Bosque has 4.124 stars and Montes has 4.122 stars! This is a really tight category for Chile with less than 0.13 star difference between the top 10.

My verdict: Although there are a couple producers that appear twice in this category, there’s actually a nice range of Sauvignon Blanc beyond the classic terroir of Casablanca. Zapallar, Colchagua, San Antonio, Aconcagua and Colchagua all make an appearance too – which would have been almost inconceivable five years ago. A lot of these wines offer great value for money and I think you’d be hard pushed to not enjoy any of them. 

My pick of the top 10: Casa Marin, Los Cipreses

2. Casas del Bosque, Pequeñas Producciones Sauvignon Blanc 2017

3. Montes, Outer Limits Zapallar Sauvignon Blanc 2017

4. Garces Silva, Amayna Sauvignon Blanc 2014

5. Casa Silva, Cool Coast Sauvignon Blanc 2017

6. Garces Silva, Amayna Barrel Fermented Sauvignon Blanc 2010

7. Casa Marin, Cipreses Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2017

8. Casas del Bosque, Sauvignon Blanc Gran Reserva 2016

9. Arboleda, Sauvignon Blanc 2016

10. Koyle, Costa Cuarzo Sauvignon Blanc 2017

 

Best Syrah in Chile

Montes Folly Syrah 2015: Vivino Wine Style Award winner

Montes is known for their top Syrah in Colchagua and it is one of their icon wines, Montes Folly, which takes the top score on Vivino at 4.57 stars. This score is over 75 ratings, which is a similar amount of ratings to the other Syrahs (with the exception of Casas del Bosque and Ventisquero who have notably more).

My verdict: Syrah is a really strong category for Chile, even though it often falls under the radar. What we can see here is a great diversity of Syrah wines from both mountain and coastal climates, although they are all within the premium price point and sales bracket. It’s quite a high-scoring category with none of the top 10 dipping below 4.23, although there are fewer ratings here (the most rated is Casas del Bosque with 249 ratings). I think we can surmise that Chilean Syrah isn’t necessarily the most accessible but it is definitely one to watch with good consumer appeal.

My pick of the top 10: Matetic Syrah

2. Concha y Toro, Gravas del Maipo Syrah 2008

3. Matetic Syrah 2012

4. Von Siebenthal, Carabantes Syrah 2015

5. Ventisquero, Pangea Syrah 2011

6. Errazuriz, La Cumbre Syrah 2008

7. San Pedro, Kankana del Elqui Solar No 10 Syrah 2014

8. Casas del Bosque, Syrah Pequeñas Producciones 2015

9. Undurraga, Terroir Hunter Series Syrah 2015

10. Morande, Adventure Tizariš Syrah 2012

 

Best rated wines from Uruguay

Best Tannat in Uruguay

Antigua Bodega, Il Nero Gran Reserva Tribute Selection 2009: Vivino Wine Style Award winner

Uruguay only has one category in Vivino’s Wine Style Awards and, unsurprisingly, it is for Tannat – Uruguay’s emblematic grape. The Best Tannat in Uruguay as rated by Vivino’s users this year is Il Nero, a limited edition release by Antigua Bodega. This wine scores an average of 4.58 stars 142 ratings, and takes the lead over Deicas (with 4.48 stars and 286 ratings) and Bouza (with 4.47 stars and 61 ratings).

My verdict: This is an impressively tight category in terms of scores – there is just a range of 0.21, and the majority of the wines (position 2 to 9) falling within 0.07 stars of each other. Of course, five of these wines are from the same producer – Bouza – who storms the category. I think a big part of this category is about accessibility because Bouza also has the greatest volume of ratings (even though it isn’t the biggest producer in the group). 

2. Familia Deicas, Massimo Deicas Cru Tannat 2010

3. Bouza, Parcela Unica Tannat A8 2015

4. Antigua Bodega, Osiris, Reserva 2011

5. Bouza, Parcela Unica Tannat A7 2014

6. Bouza, Parcela Unica Tannat A6 2015

7. Bertolini Broglio, Ultra Premium Tannat Exotic 2016

8. Bouza, Parcela Unica Tannat B6 2015

9. Bouza, Parcela Unica Tannat B6 2016

10. H Stagnari, Dayman Tannat 2015

 

Do you think Vivino’s Wine Style Awards cover the best wines in South America? Or are there any favourites you’d add to these Top 10s? Leave your comments below!