What region of Chile makes Chardonnay in a range of quality levels from inexpensive high-volume brands to outstanding examples?

The Central Valley of Chile is known for its diverse wine production and encompasses several sub-regions, making it a prominent area for the production of Chardonnay. This region benefits from a Mediterranean climate, characterized by warm days and cool nights, which is conducive to growing high-quality grapes. The versatility of the Central Valley allows for various styles of Chardonnay, from inexpensive, high-volume brands aimed at a broad market, to more refined and outstanding examples made by premium wineries that emphasize quality and terroir.

In contrast, while the other regions like Maipo Valley, Colchagua Valley, and Limari Valley also produce Chardonnay, they may not offer the same breadth or range of quality levels as the Central Valley. Maipo Valley is more famous for its Cabernet Sauvignon and other red varieties, Colchagua Valley is similarly renowned for its robust red wines, and while Limari Valley does produce notable whites due to its coastal influence and cooler climate, it primarily focuses on premium offerings and does not have the same volume of high-inexpensive options compared to the diversity found in the Central Valley.