Pais

Pais: Americas first planted grapes. Pais, also known as Mission, is a red grape variety that has been cultivated in South America since the 16th century and is now grown in Chile and Argentina.

Pais has a thin skin, which gives the wine a light to medium ruby colour. It has pleasant aromas of red fruits, cherries, and red plums, with a hint of spice. On the palate, the flavour profile of Pais is quite simple, with notes of plums, cherries, and strawberries.

Pais is mainly grown in the Central Valley of Chile, in the coastal regions of Valparaiso and San Antonio, as well as in the Bio-Bio and Maule Valleys.To some extent, it is also grown in Argentina and in the USA, California. Pais is a vigorous variety that produces abundant yields, but it is also susceptible to powdery mildew.. It prefers warm climates with hot days and cool nights. In the winery, the grapes are usually destemmed and fermented on the skins for up to 10 days. The resulting wines are usually light-bodied with low tannins and delicate alcohol levels. In Chile, Pais wines are usually blended with other red varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. In Argentina, Pais is made as a single varietal wine, with a focus on producing fruity and light-bodied wines. Pais pairs well with grilled vegetables, roasted pork, and spicy dishes.

Pais is considered the oldest grape variety in the Americas and is thought to have been brought to the continent by Spanish missionaries.