Everybody needs good neighbours

Historically, Chile has long languished in Argentina’s shadow, but its high-quality wines are increasingly stealing its rival’s thunder

Irish drinkers are benefiting from exports from adventurous Chilean wineries such as Finca la Celia

‘Let me put it this way,” says Sebastian Ríos, general manager of Argentinian winery Finca la Celia. “Argentina has a population of around 45 million, whereas Chile’s is around 16 million. Argentina consumes most of its wine domestically, around 70 per cent is for the domestic market and around 30 per cent for export. In Chile, it is almost the reverse. Chile has always needed to export.”

Ríos is Chilean, and he and ...