17. South America Flashcards

1
Q

Which country produces the most wine in South America? Chile or Argentina?

A

Argentina

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2
Q

What is the name of the mountain range that forms the border between Argentina and Chile?

A

Andes

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3
Q

What is the general climate of the Argentine wine regions?

A

Continental

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4
Q

What is the name of the winds that cool - and can damage - vines in Argentina?

A

Zonda Winds

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5
Q

What is a common vineyard threat around harvest season in Argentina?

A

Hail

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6
Q

What are the three traditional grapes of Argentina which are often used for high volume wine?

A

Cereza, Criolla Grande, Criolla Chica

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7
Q

The pink skin grapes of Cereza, Criolla Grande, and Criolla Chica account for roughly what percentage of total plantings in Argentina?

A

1/3

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8
Q

What are the top three red grapes of Argentina?

A

Malbec, Bonarda, Cabernet Sauvignon

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9
Q

What are the top four white grapes of Argentina?

A

Torrontes Riojano, Torrontes Mendocino, Torrontes Sanjuanino, Chardonnay

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10
Q

What are the two key grape varieties Argentina is best known for?

A

Malbec and Torrontes

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11
Q

Describe a Malbec from Argentina: Color, flavors

A

Deeply pigmented (inky, opaque), black fruit/plum flavors

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12
Q

Of the three types of Torrontes, which is most widely grown?

A

Torrontes Riojano

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13
Q

Describe a Torrontes wine from Argentina.

A

Light body, fruity, floral aromas

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14
Q

Which grapes is also referred to as Douce Noir in France and Charbano in California?

A

Bonardo

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15
Q

What is Bonardo referred to as in France?

A

Douce Noir

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16
Q

What is Bonardo known as in California?

A

Charbano

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17
Q

Describe the Argentinian wine classification system.

A

IP, IG, DOC

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18
Q

What are the two DOCs of Argentina?

A

Lucan de Cuyo (Mendoza) and San Rafael (Mendoza)

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19
Q

What is distinctive about Lucan de Cayo and San Rafael areas of Mendoza?

A

They are currently the only two DOCs in Argentina.

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20
Q

What is the INV of Argentina?

A

Institute National de Viniviticultura - the regulating body for the wine industry in Argentina.

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21
Q

What are Vinos Finos?

A

Wines noted as the highest quality wines, as per the INV.

Roughly 20% of Argentinian wines earn this designation.

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22
Q

Approximately what percentage of wine produced in Argentina receives the Vinos Finos designation?

A

Approximately 20%

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23
Q

Name two key stipulations to earn the Vinos Finos designation:

A

Wines must be from premium grapes and contain a minimum of 85% of the stated variety

(This suggest the Cereza and Criolla grapes will not be made into Vinos Finos wine).

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24
Q

What is the name of the small (65 acre) region in the very northwest corner of Argentina?

A

Juyjuy

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25
Q

Where is the Moya Vineyard? What is its claim to fame?

A

The Moya Vineyards is in the Juyjuy wine region, it is noted as the highest elevation vineyard in Argentina at 10,900 feet

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26
Q

Where is the sub region of Cafayate? What is it known for?

A

Cafayate is a sub region of Salta. It’s known for high altitude Torrontes Riojano as well as Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon.

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27
Q

What is the name of the subregion of Salta known for high altitude Torrontes, Malbec, and Cabernet Sauvignon?

A

Cafayate. Cafayate is home to a majority of the vineyards in Salta.

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28
Q

Where is the Altura Maxima vineyard?

A

In the Molina subregion of Salta. Altura Maxima is noted as an ultra high altitude vineyard.

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29
Q

What are the two cited subregions of the Salta wine region?

A

Argentina’s Salta wine region is noted with two key subregions: Cafayate (where the majority of the vineyards are) and Molinos (home to Altura Maxima, an ultra high altitude vineyard known for Malbec.)

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30
Q

Which grape is planted in the Altura Maxima subregion of Salta?

A

Malbec

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31
Q

What region is the Calchaqui Valley in?

A

Tucuman

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32
Q

True or False: More than 40% of Catamarca vine are planted to native Criolla varieties.

A

TRUE

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33
Q

Where are the Famatima Valleys of Argentina? In what region?

A

La Rioja

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34
Q

Is La Rioja more white or red dominant?

A

Red, but by only 1%. Red grapes represents 51% of the plantings in La Rioja.

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35
Q

What are the top two largest wine producing regions of Argentina?

A

Mendoz and San Juan

36
Q

Which region accounts for 75% of the total volume of wine in Argentina?

A

Mendoza

37
Q

What is the split between Mendoza’s red/white planting?

A

61% Red / 39% White. Malbec, Bonarda are the two most widely planted grapes

38
Q

What is the southernmost wine producing region of Argentina?

A

Chubut - Pinot Noir is the leading red grape planted here (60% of plantings are red)

39
Q

How do the growing conditions of the Buenos Aires region compare to other wine regions in Argentina?

A

Outside of the rain shadow of the Andes - therefore, more rain - and ocean influences.

40
Q

What are the key grapes of the Buenas Aires region?

A

White grapes, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.

41
Q

Describe the Chilean place of Origin laws.

A

Similiar to the US in in that there is just one demarcation: DO, Denominacion de Origen.

42
Q

Chilean’s DO system requires what percentage of the wine to be grown in the DO it is labeled as?

A

75%

43
Q

What are the largest DOs in Chile referred to as?

A

Viticultural regions.

44
Q

What are the three geographical indications that can be added to a DO label in Chile?

A

Costa, Entre Cordilleras, Andes (allowed if 85% of the grapes were grown in these areas)

45
Q

What sentence do I use to remember the Chilean viticultural regions?

A

The ACAC Doesn’t Suck Anymore.

Atacama
Coquimbo
Aconcagua
Central Valley
DelSur
Austral

46
Q

What are the key viticultural regions of Chile?

A

Atacama,
Coquimbo,
Aconcagua,
Central Vally,
Del Sur,
Austral Region

47
Q

What are the three notable subregions of the Coquimbo region of Chile?

A

Elqui Valley, Limari Valley, Choapa Valley

Elqui - warmest, known for Syrah
Limari - cooling ocean fogs / Humboldt current, known for mineral driven whites
Choapa - desert like conditions, known for Cab Sav and Syrah

48
Q

The Elqui Valley of the Coquimbo region is known for high altitude reds - which one is it most famous for?

A

Syrah

49
Q

What are the two key influences of the climate of the Limari Valley? (Coquimbo region)

A

Pacific Ocean / Cooling Fogs
Humboldt Current

Makes Limari an idea region for mineral driven white wines.

50
Q

What is the most widely planted grape of the Limari Valley?

A

The Limari Valley, in the Coquimbo region of Chile, is known for its Chardonnay.

The cooling influence of fogs from the pacific ocean and winds from the Humboldt current have a significant impact on the climate here.

51
Q

Where is the Choapa Valley? What is its climate like?

A

The Choapa Valley is a sub region of the Coquimbo region of Chile. It is desert like, producing Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah.

52
Q

Where is the Aconcagua wine region?

A

In Chile, directly south of the Coquimbo region and north and west of the Central Valley Region. A significant portion of the region is coastal.

53
Q

What are the three key subregions of the Aconcagua region?

A

Aconcagua Valley
Casablanca Valley
San Antonio Valley

Aconcagua Valley: warm Mediterranean climate
Casablanca Valley: cool, coastal, Maritime
San Antonio Valley: cool, coastal

54
Q

Of the three subregions of the Aconcagua region - Aconcagua Valley, Casablanca Valley, San Antonio Valley - which is the warmest?

A

Aconcagua Valley

The Aconcagua Valley stretches from the coast to the Andes, with most vineyards in the warmer, more inland areas of the region.

55
Q

Where is the Leyda Valley?

A

The Leyda Valley is the southern section of the San Antonio sub region of the Aconcagua region . It is known for its granitic soils producing wines with minerality and complexity.

56
Q

Is the Casablanca Valley known for red or white grapes?

A

White grapes

It’s coastal location within the Aconcagua region results in a cool growing climate. 75% of plantings are to white grapes, most notably Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc,

Pinot Noir is being grown here as well.

57
Q

What are the key grapes of the San Antonio Valley?

A

Pinot Noir
Chardonnay
Sauvignon Blanc
Syrah

58
Q

The Central Valley of Chile accounts for roughly ____ % of Chile’s total wine growing area.

A

80%

59
Q

What are the four key subregions of the Central Valley region of Chile?

A

Maipo Valley
Rapel Valley
Curico Valley
Maule Valley

Maipo: surrounds Santiago
Rapel: region for Cachapoal and Colchagua Vallyes
Curico: further inland
Maule: southern end, cool, dry, organic farming in practice

60
Q

Which wine region surrounds the city of Santiago?

A

Maipo Valley

61
Q

Which area is cited for being the historical heart and cultural center of Chile’s wine industry?

A

Maipo Valley

62
Q

What are the two key subregions of the Rapel Valley?

A

Cachapoal and Colchagua Valleys

Red wines dominate in the Rapel Valley - most notable Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Carmenere, and Merlot

63
Q

Where is the Cachapoal Valley?

A

In the Rapel Valley sub region of the Central Valley of Chile.

64
Q

Where is the Colchagua Valley?

A

In the Central Valley, Rapel Valley subregion.

65
Q

Is the Colchagua Valley known for red or white wines?

A

Red wines (along with the Cachapoal Valley)

66
Q

True or False: the Curico Valley of the Central Valley region of Chile is noted predominantly for red wines.

A

False: there is a relative even split between red wine and white wine production in the Curico Valley.

67
Q

Which area in Chile is developing a reputation for old vine Carignan?

A

The Maule Valley / Central Valley of Chile

68
Q

The “Southern Region” or “South Region” of Chile also goes by the name of:

A

Del Sur

69
Q

Where is the Itata Valley?

A

At the north of the Del Sur region, bordering the Maule Valley.

70
Q

What are the three key subregions of the Del Sur region?

A

Itata Valley (warmer, Mediterranean, focused on reds)
Bio Bio (more maritime, plantings of Riesling, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc)
Malleco Valley (very small, less than 50 acres)

71
Q

The Del Sur region has two distinct climates. What are they?

A

Northern: Warm, Mediterranean
Southern: Cooler, Maritime

72
Q

What are the two key traditional grape of the Del Sur region?

A

Pais and Moscatel

73
Q

How is the Itata Valley subregion of Del Sur different from the Bio Bio Valley and Malleco Valley subregions?

A

The Itata Valley is warmer, more focused on reds.

The climate transitions with the Bio Bio Valley and Malleco Valley as you move further south. These are areas are more white grape / Pinot Noir focused.

74
Q

Where is Riesling being planted in Chile?

A

Bio Bio Valley subregion of Del Sur

75
Q

What is the southernmost growing region in Chile?

A

Austral Region

Two subregions: Cautin and Osorno Valleys

This area is just emerging for commercial viticulture.

76
Q

Where does Brazil fall in terms of wine production ranking of South American countries?

A

3rd

(Argentina 1, Chile 2)

77
Q

Brazil has only two geographical indication statuses. What are they?

A

DO - Denominacao de Origem (top)
IO - Indicacao de Origem

78
Q

Which region produces the most wine in Brazil?

A

Serra Gaucha - producing 85% of Brazil’s total wine production.

79
Q

What is Brazil’s first - and currently only - DO?

A

Vale dos Vinhedos DO

This is a subregion of Serra Gaucha

Merlot and Chardonnay are the flagship varities

80
Q

What is the key wine growing regions
of Brazil?

A

Serra Gaucha

81
Q

What is cited as unique about Brazil’s Vale do Sao Francisco wine region?

A

It’s tropical climate allows the vines to produce two harvests per year.

82
Q

True or False: The Campanha region of Brazil is cited as having some of the oldest vines in Brazil.

A

True

This area is also cited for granite and limestone soils - an ideal region for Cab Sav, Tempranillo, and Tannat

83
Q

The highest elevation vineyards in Brazil are located in what wine region?

Serra Gaucha
Campanha
Serra do Sudeste
Campos de Cima da Serra
Planalto Catarinese
Vale do Sao Francisco

A

Planalto Catarinese

84
Q

Where does Uruguay fall in terms of wine production rankings of South America?

A

4th

(Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Uruguay)

85
Q

What is the leading grape variety of Uruguay?

A

Tannat - accounting for roughly 25% of total vineyard acreage.

Tannat is sometimes referred to as Harriague in Uruguay, honoring the person who helped to spread the grape throughout the country.

86
Q

What white grape is seen as having great potential in Uruaguay?

A

Albarino

There are certain spots of Uruguay that have similar growing conditions to Galicia.