The origins of blush wines on the South America continent can be traced back to the early Spanish colonial period, where arriving settlers in the 16th century marked the beginning of viticulture in the region. Travelling with grapevine cuttings from Europe, these settlers then set about cultivating them in various parts of South America. The region’s favourable climate and the fertile soils of pioneering wine countries like Argentina proved to be ideal for grape growing, leading to vineyards quickly becoming established. Winemaking in the south was initially focused on producing red wines and it wasn’t until the 19th century that blush wines began to gain popularity. These wines, also known as rosé wines (rosado in Spanish), are made from red grape varieties, but the juice is left in contact with the grape skins for a shorter period, resulting in a lighter colour and a more delicate flavour profile. The development of blush wines in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay has been a fascinating journey, shaped by historical, geographical, and cultural factors unique to each country.

In Argentina, blush wine production gained momentum in the late 20th century as vintners started paying more attention to consumer preferences, by exploring rosé styles. Brazil’s blush wine scene is relatively young compared to its South American counterparts, but the country’s wine industry has experienced significant growth in recent decades. This has resulted in Brazil’s blush wines finding a niche among domestic and international consumers alike who enjoy the country’s fresh and lively rosé wines. Chile, with its long history of winemaking, embraced the blush wine trend early on with the Central Valley’s cool climate and varied terroirs being instrumental in producing high-quality rosé wines, known for their vibrant colours, crisp acidity, and balanced flavours. Uruguay, though a smaller player in the South American wine scene, has also made strides in blush wine production. The country’s Atlantic-influenced climate and fertile soils provide a favourable environment for producing delightful rosé wines with distinctive character.

Today, South America is renowned for its high-quality blush wines, many of which have won international awards, and are celebrated for their vibrant hues, fruit-forward characteristics, and balanced acidity. Thursday Food introduces this year’s best blush wines from each of the four countries:

Otronia 45 Rugientes Pinot Noir Rosé (93 points) is made from 100 per cent Pinot Noir grapes grown from 12-year-old vines by Otronia Patagonia Extrema in Patagonia, Argentina. The wine is intense, creamy and deep in sour red fruit flavours that are refreshing but also unctuous. It has a beautiful coral colour, with expressive but delicate aromas, that express notes of rose, hibiscus and red fruit. On the palate, its weight in the mouth as well as its mild acidity stand out making it a very dry rosé, that is super gastronomic with a slightly bitter finish.

Finca Iral Single Vineyard Los Sauces Rosé (92 points) is a single vineyard wine made from 100 per cent Pinot Noir from vineyards located in Los Sauces in the Tunuyán area of Mendoza’s Uco Valley. Made with grapes harvested by hand, this wine is light pink salmon coloured with floral and herbal aromas. It is balanced, with refreshing acidity and a delicate texture, representing an elegant specimen of good freshness and balance.

Luiz Argenta l.a. Jovem Rosé 2021 Pinot Noir, Petite Sirah (92 points) comprises an unusual blend of 30 per cent Pinot Noir and 70 per cent Petite Sirah that comes from vineyards located at about 885 metres above sea level in Altos Montes, Brazil. Made by Vinicola (Bodega) Luiz Argenta, this wine is lively, juicy and refreshing, almost like a sour cherry juice that has a certain firm, tense texture. The aroma presents a great diversity of fruits: strawberry, cherry and raspberry, along with dried red flowers. In the mouth it is balanced with medium structure with an intensely fruity aftertaste.

Bodegas Re Pinotel 2022 (93 points) is made up of 95 per cent Pinot Noir and 5 per cent Rosé Moscatel and produced from grapes grown in Chile’s Casablanca Valley by Bodegas Re. It has an attractive watermelon and strawberry colour, scented with roses for the Pinot Noir and orange blossoms and jasmine for the Muscatel. Its mouthfeel is rhythmic, with sensual, joyful movement, refreshing with a voluminous body, soft and delicate, which leaves a long memory. On the palate it is also juicy, having a very citric attack, with a sharp acidity and tannin in the background.

Garzón Field Blend Rosé 2022 (93 points), from Uruguay, is a blend of Monastrell, Garnacha and Cinsault taken from a selection of exclusively planted young vines by Bodega Garzón. This vintage is a delicate pink with fine acidity and at the same time sharp, with a delicious creamy texture that caresses the palate amid ripe red fruit flavours, such as cherry and strawberry, along with some flowers.

Overall, the development of blush wines in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay showcases the region’s commitment to innovation and adaptation to the ever-evolving consumer tastes. As these countries continue to refine their winemaking techniques and explore new grape varieties, the popularity and reputation of their blush wines are likely to continue their growth globally. Salud!