However, a down draught from the Andes and the Pacific’s Humboldt Current both help to moderate temperatures by day and ensure very cold nights.

In addition, the sunlight is exceptionally bright and snowmelt from the Andes provides all the irrigation water required.

Viña Falernia, one of only two wineries in the valley, was built in the late 1990s by Italian Giorgio Flessati and won a Trophy with its first vintage. Elqui produces “some particularly gutsy Syrah at altitudes of over 2,000 metres” (World Atlas of Wine), and the Carmenère is equally robust.

Deep bramble, cassis and spice character, it's great with lamb. Best decanted.

Atakarma is a star from Matetic, a winery whose consistent quality has seen it listed in Wine & Spirits magazine’s Top 100 Wineries of the Year four times now.

Nestled in the Colchagua Valley, they source their fruit from across Chile's finest grape-producing valleys.

The Sauvignon for this white was harvested from the banks of the Tinguiririca river, where winds keep the grapes cool and aromatic, with a sparky freshness.

Winemaker Felipe Vial cool fermented this white, giving it a little lees ageing to lend a creamy textured edge.

With a crunch of citrus and tropical fruits, it's an ace apéritif.

The Luis Felipe Edwards family estate lies in the premium Colchagua Valley within Rapel. Luis Felipe Edwards Snr started his wine estate in 1976, beginning with a small plot of land and slowly buying up more vineyards. Today he owns an entire valley and a thoroughly modern, fully equipped cellar. He really has spared no expense over the years (even installing chandeliers in the barrel cellar), but has always kept that quality focused, family run touch to the wines.

Every year they make us a bestselling Sauvignon and in 2018 they wowed us with a vibrant rosé. This crisp, moreish rosado, made by Nicolas Bizzarri, is brimful with ripe berry fruit and citrus zip. Great on its own or with creamy seafood pancakes, spicy stir fry and salads.

Thanks to snowmelt from the Andes and the wonders of irrigation, green and flourishing vineyards stand out in contrast to their lunar-like surroundings.

Alta Tierra is from Viña Falernia, owned by cousins Aldo Olivier and Giorgio Flessati.

They have 135 hectares of beautifully manicured vineyards and an ultra modern cellar. In 2005 their first vintage won a Trophy and put Elqui on the map.

This dazzling Sauvignon Blanc displays classic varietal character of elderflower and freshly mown grass with ripe melon and citrus fruit.

Serve as an aperitif or partner with spicy Asian dishes or fish.