(Decanter) - Chile’s 2018 vintage has been tipped by several winemakers as one of the best in recent years, with a good crop, moderate temperatures and relatively few weather-related dramas expected to produce balanced wines in many regions. 

Timing of the harvest was back to normal, a relief following the hot and early harvest of 2017, and maturation periods were steady without any extreme events.

‘We had a cold and wet winter,’ De Martino winemaker Eduardo Jordan told Decanter.com, who produces wine around the country.

‘A warm spring brought excellent bud break. The moderate and cool month of March was very positive for accumulating sugars slowly and without losing acidity – key to obtaining balanced wines. The vineyards achieved excellent quality – with good natural acidity, moderate alcohol and good colour. 2018 is a year of finesse!’

It is always difficult to generalise, but all of Chile’s major production regions have so far reported a good year for wine quality and average to above average yields.