If grapes had yearbook superlatives, Pais would definitely win "Most Likely to Be Mistaken for Something Else." Known as Mission grape in California and Criolla Chica in Argentina, this ancient variety has more aliases than an international spy. Spanish missionaries brought it to Chile in the 16th century, presumably because they needed something to do between converting souls and trying to convince the locals that their robes were the height of fashion.
For centuries, Pais was the big shot of Chilean wine, the grape equivalent of sitting at the cool kids' table. But then the 1980s happened - and just like shoulder pads and mullets, what was once cool became decidedly uncool. International varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon strutted in like they owned the place, and poor Pais was ghosted faster than a bad Tinder date. The grape equivalent of your grandpa's vinyl collection gathered dust in forgotten vineyards.
But just like those vinyl records, what's old is new again. Modern winemakers in regions like Bio Bio and Maule are rediscovering these centenarian vines, which have been quietly chillin' (pun intended) for over 100 years. The resulting wines are light to medium-bodied with bright acidity - think of them as the wine world's answer to a refreshing summer playlist, not the heavy metal thunder of a Cabernet. With alcohol levels between 11-12.5%, they're perfect for those who want to remember the end of their wine tasting adventure.
For wine newbies looking to expand their horizons beyond the usual suspects, Pais is like that indie band you discovered before they got famous. These wines are still surprisingly affordable (apparently, centuries of history don't automatically inflate prices - who knew?), and they're versatile enough to pair with everything from traditional Chilean dishes to Tuesday night takeout. Plus, drinking Pais gives you serious wine hipster cred - nothing says "I know my wine" quite like casually dropping knowledge about a 16th-century Chilean grape variety at dinner parties. Just try not to get too smug about it.
