Our expert recommends 18 brilliant light

Our expert recommends 18 brilliant light-bodied South American reds South America is known for its broad-shouldered reds, but as barbecue season draws closer, it’s time to make space in the fridge for these light, vibrant reds Get our daily fine wine reviews, latest wine ratings, news and travel guides delivered straight to your inbox. You are now subscribed Your newsletter sign-up was successful For many, ‘light South American reds’ will sound like an oxymoron. The continent is mostly associated with – and celebrated for – assertive reds with muscular tannins, plush fruit and considerable ageing potential. And yet, the evolution and diversity of wines produced from red-skinned grapes across South America makes the case for looking beyond the lauded expressions of Malbec, Carmenère, Tannat and Cabernet Sauvignon. While these have consolidated South America as a source of some of the world’s most exciting wines, the real excitement is perhaps elsewhere, in the rediscovery of grapes and terroirs that produce lighter shades of red. Spoiled for choice Tasting wines for this piece was an embarrassment of riches. We could easily have featured twice as many examples of equal quality and character. To frame this selection I first had to answer the question my friend Nacho Campos (former sommelier extraordinaire now working for UK importer Les Caves de Pyrene) asked when I told him I was writing this piece: ‘But how light is a light red?’ The pursuit of levity, detail, purity and elegance – at the service of varietal and terroir expression – is now a major preoccupation among South American winemakers, reflected across their ranges, not least the Malbecs, Tannats and Cabernet Sauvignons. But that would be another (interesting!) feature entirely. Get our daily fine wine reviews, latest wine ratings, news and travel guides delivered straight to your inbox. Here we focus on truly light-bodied reds, not just a technical premise but also as an opportunity to emphasise the changing landscape (pun intended) of South American red wine production and its wider palette of red varieties. Producers are rediscovering old vineyards and exploring their vines, engaging with the complex yet fascinating history of their countries and decolonising wine discourse – rightfully placing the local farming traditions of yore alongside the European-informed canon. Refreshing complexity Engaging with history in all its beautiful if troubled complexity has expanded South American producers’ wine lexicon and geographical reach – often to surprising extremes. Featured here are wines from regions that range from the Atacama desert, in northern Chile, to the southern extremes of Patagonia by way of secluded corners of Mendoza (Lalande), San Juan (Calingasta) and the oceankissed Atlántida (Canelones, Uruguay). Some of these wines do indeed have an aura of mysticism to them – evocative of a time lost and unburied. This exploration of secluded terroirs goes hand in hand with the ongoing reappreciation of Criolla varieties (on whose revival Amanda Barnes MW reported for our September 2025 issue) and old vineyards bearing early plantings of European grapes that have since fallen into disfavour. Did you know that there are centenary Cinsault vineyards growing on granite in Itata Valley? Or that Garnacha can produce ethereal iterations of Mendoza? That a spontaneous crossing of Muscat of Alexandria and Listán Prieto resulted in a variety called Moscatel Tinto? Or that Bastardo/Trousseau has a long history in Argentine Patagonia? Now you do. Fridge door-ready How does this all translate into drinking pleasure? Very well indeed. History and technicalities notwithstanding, the lighter reds of South America are straightforwardly fun and interesting – a perfect reflection of the winemaking community and ebullient wine scene of which they’re a product. If you want proof of the continent’s technical evolution, spectacular creativity, inspiring confidence – and historical reckoning – look no further, one refreshing sip at a time. Make space in the fridge! 18 judiciously crafted South American reds: Related articles Leo Erazo: Inspired by Itata and Chile’s wild south Chile’s new wave white wines Obituary Michel Rolland: 1947-2026 Ventisquero, Tara Pinot Noir, Atacama, Chile, 2021 Winemaking dream-team Felipe Tosso, Sergio Hormazábal and Alejandro Galaz make this Pinot Noir of incredible detail from grapes grown in Chile's inhospitable desert region. Filigree... 2021 AtacamaChile Ventisquero Join Decanter Premium to unlock all our wines tastings and notes Join NowMasintín, País, Maule Valley, Chile, 2022 Striking nuance and detail, reflecting the low-intervention yet technically exact hand of winemaker Diego Urra Gosselin, in this light but deeply complex País (with a... 2022 Maule ValleyChile Masintín Join Decanter Premium to unlock all our wines tastings and notes Join NowViña San Pedro, Tayu 1865 Pinot Noir, Malleco Valley, Chile, 2024 Meaning 'ours' in the Mapudungun language, Tayu is a partnership between the Buchahueico community (indigenous to the Malleco valley) and Viña San Pedro. Showing outstanding... 2024 Malleco ValleyChile Viña San Pedro Join Decanter Premium to unlock all our wines tastings and notes Join NowDe Martino, Las Olvidadas, Guarilihue, Itata Valley, Chile, 2022 From vines more than a century-old, present at the foundation of the De Martino estate, and a field blend of 80% País and 20% San... 2022 Itata ValleyChile De MartinoGuarilihue Join Decanter Premium to unlock all our wines tastings and notes Join NowFuerza Natural, Cinsault, Itata Valley, Chile, 2021 This project, a collaboration between Fernando Almeda and Elías López Montero, produces this Cinsault from old, dry-farmed vineyards on the granitic slopes of Guarilihue. Vinified... 2021 Itata ValleyChile Fuerza Natural Join Decanter Premium to unlock all our wines tastings and notes Join NowMarcelo Miras, Mira Joven Trousseau, Patagonia, Argentina, 2021 Unoaked Trousseau, led by crunchy pomegranate, sour cherry and plum, and framed by chiselled tannins drenched in sloe juice. Plum sorbet at the core and... 2021 PatagoniaArgentina Marcelo Miras Join Decanter Premium to unlock all our wines tastings and notes Join NowBodegas Verum, Parcela Tamarisco Pinot Noir, Río Negro, Patagonia, Argentina, 2024 Soft yet assertive Pinot Noir, made using 30% whole bunches and aged for eight months, partly in oak, with an appetising sour edge and zesty... 2024 PatagoniaArgentina Bodegas VerumRío Negro Join Decanter Premium to unlock all our wines tastings and notes Join NowMatias Riccitelli, Old Vines from Patagonia Bastardo, Río Negro, Patagonia, Argentina, 2024 Always a pleasure to drink Ricciteli's Bastardo (Trousseau), produced from old, ungrafted vines in Patagonia. This vintage again shows its trademark purity and liveliness in... 2024 PatagoniaArgentina Matias RiccitelliRío Negro Join Decanter Premium to unlock all our wines tastings and notes Join NowMorandé, Vitis Unica Pinot Noir, Casablanca Valley, Chile, 2023 Produced under the technical direction of Ricardo Baettig with estate-grown fruit. Fragrant nose of rockrose, pomegranate, toast and wet stone. Exact, sinewy palate, lined with... 2023 Casablanca ValleyChile Morandé Join Decanter Premium to unlock all our wines tastings and notes Join NowMundo Revés, Le Petit Voyage Criolla, Uco Valley, Los Chacayes, Mendoza, Argentina, 2022 Enticing and playful Criolla Chica sourced from old, pergola-trained vines and aged on Pinot Gris lees. Deep cherry, strawberry and plum fruit at the core.... 2022 MendozaArgentina Mundo RevésUco Valley Join Decanter Premium to unlock all our wines tastings and notes Join NowOnofri, Alma Gemela Garnacha, Desierto de Lavalle, Mendoza, Argentina, 2022 From an 80-year-old vineyard re-grafted with Garnacha in 2018. It relies exclusively on carbonic maceration and beams with bright cherry, raspberry and pomegranate fruit. Sage,... 2022 MendozaArgentina OnofriDesierto de Lavalle Join Decanter Premium to unlock all our wines tastings and notes Join NowCara Sur, Moscatel Tinto, Calingasta Valley, San Juan, Argentina, 2022 A crossing of Criolla Chica (País/Listán Prieto) and Muscat de Alexandria, Moscatel Tinto is a lesser-known Criolla variety that has outstanding potential. Vibrant, fun and... 2022 San JuanArgentina Cara SurCalingasta Valley Join Decanter Premium to unlock all our wines tastings and notes Join NowCasa Valduga, Terroir Pinot Noir, Vale dos Vinhedos, Serra Gaúcha, Brazil, 2023 From this leading Brazilian producer, a fragrant, nuanced Pinot Noir aged for eight months in French oak. Silky tannins frame strawberry, pomegranate, quince and guava... 2023 Serra GaúchaBrazil Casa ValdugaVale dos Vinhedos Join Decanter Premium to unlock all our wines tastings and notes Join NowEstación Yumbel, Pipeño País, Yumbel, Bío Bío Valley, Chile, 2023 A tribute to Chile’s ‘farmers’ wine’, produced with País from ancient vines, fermented in lagares (open troughs) made from raulí wood and aged in barrels... 2023 Bío Bío ValleyChile Estación YumbelYumbel Join Decanter Premium to unlock all our wines tastings and notes Join NowLa Despensa, Pool Blend, Colchagua Valley, Chile, 2022 A supremely drinkable wine, perfect for barbecues or laidback poolside drinking, produced by husband-and-wife team Matt and Ana Ridgway. This vibrant blend of 76% Cinsault,... 2022 Colchagua ValleyChile La Despensa Join Decanter Premium to unlock all our wines tastings and notes Join NowEl Porvenir de Cafayate, Pequeñas Fermentaciones Garnacha, Cafayate Valley, Salta, Argentina, 2023 Spicy, fragrant Garnacha with surprising textural verve; so drinkable and fluid yet with lovely fleshy density on the mid-palate. Cherry pit and leaves, rhubarb, redcurrant,... 2023 SaltaArgentina El Porvenir de CafayateCafayate Valley Join Decanter Premium to unlock all our wines tastings and notes Join NowMarichal, Creatura Mencía, Etchevarría, Canelones, Uruguay, 2023 A juicy, bright Mencía that would sit comfortably, and mischievously, alongside its European counterparts. Crunchy red fruit, apple and a hint of cherry tomato fill... 2023 CanelonesUruguay MarichalEtchevarría Join Decanter Premium to unlock all our wines tastings and notes Join NowPablo Fallabrino, Alma Surfer Dolcetto, Atlántida, Canelones, Uruguay, 2023 If you think you know Dolcetto, think again. This delicious, low-intervention iteration balances the variety’s sweet fruit with rustic edginess and vivid zest. The unexpected... 2023 CanelonesUruguay Pablo FallabrinoAtlántida Join Decanter Premium to unlock all our wines tastings and notes Join NowInes is Decanter’s regional editor for Spain, Portugal and South America. Born and raised in Lisbon, Portugal, she grew up chasing her grandfather among his vines in Ribatejo and thus her love for all things wine began. After completing her Masters Degree in Architecture, Ines worked as a project manager while writing about wine and doing cellar consulting on the side. After moving to London in 2015, she decided to dedicate herself fully to the wine industry and joined the sommelier team at Michelin-starred Spring, Somerset House. Stints at Noble Rot and The Laughing Heart followed, while completing her WSET Diploma in Wines and Spirits. Her work as a judge and writer eventually became her full time commitment and she joined Decanter in 2019 as wine database editor.