Chile has become a wonderful source of wine. Quality is excellent from the full, rich Chardonnays through crisp, flavoursome Sauvignon Blancs to cassis-laden Cabernet Sauvignons and Merlots. Maipo is an alluvial plain just to south of the capital Santiago and is particularly good for red wines. Curicó and Talca, a few hours further south, are more suited to whites as is the Casablanca Valley, whose position between Santiago and the coast, affords it cooler growing conditions.