There are few places on Earth where geography shapes flavor as dramatically as it does in South America. Here, vineyards climb into the Andes, stretch toward the Pacific, lean into Atlantic breezes and even take root in desert sands.
On this wine tour, we’re pouring five glasses — one from each country — that you must try on your next Regent voyage to South America.
In Argentina’s Mendoza region, vines grow in the shadow of the Andes, some at elevations exceeding 3,000 feet. Days are intensely sunny, and nights cool dramatically. The result? Malbec with deep color, velvety texture and remarkable balance.
Originally from France, Malbec found its true identity just outside Buenos Aires. It’s bold but not brash, and it’s rich with dark fruit, cocoa and spice, yet structured by mountain air and mineral soils.
During your call on Buenos Aires, enjoy a steak on the grill and a glass of Malbec in hand, and the Andes watching over it all.
Chile’s geography is famously narrow with the Andes to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. This makes for a natural corridor that creates ideal wine conditions.
In the Maipo Valley and Colchagua Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon thrives. Warm days ripen the grapes fully, while cool evening air preserves freshness. The wines are structured, elegant and layered, often compared to Bordeaux, but distinctly Chilean in their clarity and purity.
For guests who venture into Chilean wine country either on an excursion or land program, the views are just as exquisite and the wine. Rolling vineyards stretch toward distant mountain ridges, and historic estates offer insight into centuries of winemaking tradition.
Just beyond Montevideo, boutique wineries dot the countryside. Here, Uruguay’s signature grape, Tannat, has found a welcoming home. Originally from southwest France, Tannat in Uruguay softens under Atlantic influence. Ocean breezes temper the grape’s natural intensity, producing wines that are bold yet surprisingly approachable, with notes of blackberry, plum and subtle earth.
Wine culture here feels intimate. Many estates remain family-run, and tastings are unhurried affairs. Tannat pairs effortlessly with Uruguay’s celebrated beef and coastal cuisine, which is proof that some of the world’s most compelling wines are still deliciously under the radar.
Brazil may be better known for beaches and samba, but in the southern hills of Serra Gaúcha, something exciting is happening in the glass. Cooler temperatures and European winemaking heritage brought by Italian immigrants have made this region a rising star for sparkling wine. Crisp, refined and often produced using the traditional method, Brazilian bubbles are increasingly earning international attention.
Even if your travels take you elsewhere in the country, sparkling wine from southern Brazil frequently appears on wine lists nationwide. It’s fresh, celebratory and emblematic of a wine scene confidently stepping into the spotlight. Be sure to try it whether you’re in Rio de Janeiro or Rio Grande.
Long before many neighboring countries established their wine reputations, Peru was cultivating vines. In the arid Ica Valley, vineyards rely on ingenious irrigation systems that channel Andean meltwater across desert terrain. Many grapes here are destined for Pisco — Peru’s iconic brandy — distilled from aromatic varietals that thrive in this dry climate. But the region also produces sweet white wines and small-batch table wines that reflect its sun-soaked terroir.
It’s a reminder that South American wine culture is not just about what fills a glass, but about adaptation. Vines are coaxed from desert soil, traditions preserved for centuries and the flavors are shaped by extremes.
From Argentina’s high-altitude Malbec to Chile’s structured Cabernet, Uruguay’s Atlantic-kissed Tannat, Brazil’s sparkling renaissance and Peru’s desert-born Pisco, South America offers a remarkable diversity of wine experiences… and you can taste them all aboard Regent.
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