13. Chile

Question 1

What is the most common method of production in Chile?

Answer 1

Tank (a small portion of MT is made)

Question 2

What varieties are typically used?

Answer 2

Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc

Question 3

What quality level and price are Chilean sparkling wines generally?

Answer 3

Most are inexpensive, with some mid-priced especially in export markets.
Range from acceptable to very-good in quality.

Question 4

What regions are grapes for sparkling wines generally grown?

Answer 4

Regions with some cooling influence (ocean, or altitude) such as Aconcagua (Casablanca and San Antonio and Limari).
Some cheaper wines made in the Central Valley

Question 5

Is wine provenance important?

Answer 5

For inexpensive styles the base wine will be blended for multiple valleys.

Question 6

Is irrigation used?

Answer 6

Yes, in all regions except for Itata where there is slightly higher rainfall.

Question 7

Apart from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc, what varieties are utilised?

Answer 7

Pais and Moscatel (in traditional sparkling regions)

Question 8

How are sweetness levels labeled?

Answer 8

The same as in the EU

Question 9

How is the market structured?

Answer 9

Like most Chilean wine, a few large companies dominate the market.

Question 10

Who is the biggest producer?

Answer 10

Valdivieso

Question 11

What is the domestic to export split?

Answer 11

2/3 domestic, 1/3 export.

Within Chile, sparkling wine consumption is almost exclusively Chilean.

Question 12

What sector is growing?

Answer 12

Export - Japan by far the biggest consumer.