25. Chile

Question 1

Overview

Answer 1

• Warm Med -> 30-38°S
• low latitude -> sunlight intense
• Many vineyards -> planted within valleys that run from E to W
• Black varieties dominate
• CS, SB, Merlot, Chard, Carmenère, País, Syrah
• Leading supplier of inexp fruity wines for early drinking
• Produces outstanding wines at prem and super-premium prices

Question 2

Coquimbo

Answer 2

o High summer temp, intense sunlight
o Coquimbo annual rainfall < 100 mm

Elqui
§ Northernmost of main wine regions
§ Syrah, S.B

Limarí
§ Pockets of calcareous soils
§ Chard -> range of styles
§ High-volume -> small prem

Question 3

Aconcagua

Answer 3

o Greater variety of soils + mesoclimates than any other
o Central part -> hot + dry
o Vines along Pacific coast -> some of Chile’s coolest

Aconcagua Valley
§ C.S + Merlot (also Syrah, Carmenère)
§ In Aconcagua Costa -> morning fogs + ocean breezes
* Fresh whites (SB,Chard), P.N + cool-climate Syrah
§ High-volume -> small prem

Casablanca Valley
§ Morning fogs, ocean breezes -> one of Chile’s coolest
§ Reputation for whites, SB + Chard
§ Reds -> PN, cool-climate Syrah
§ Mid to small batches (prem)

San Antonio
§ S of Casablanca Valley -> hills W of coast
§ Heavily influenced by ocean -> hills give a range of sites
§ SB, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Chard
§ Leyda Valley
* HQ
* SB, PN, Chard, Syrah

Question 4

Central Valley

Answer 4

o Vast majority of Chile’s wines -> large region
o Sheltered from maritime influences by Coastal Ranges
o Warm, fertile, well-irrigated plains -> perfect location
§ Ripe, fruity, inexp reds
o Valley sides, Andean foothills + parts of valleys closest to the Pacific -> small batches

Maipo Valley
§ Black grapes dominate -> CS
* Very-good Q Carmenère and Syrah
§ Good -> very good in + inexp -> mid-priced
§ Alto Maipo + subregions Puente Alto, Pirque -> Small prem

Rapel Valley
§ Cachapoal Valley
* N of the 2 -> warmer
* Fertile valley floor -> large volumes of inexp
* Peumo -> prem Carmenère
* HQ CS + Syrah -> Andean foothills

§ Colchagua Valley
* Larger than Cachapoal
* Wide variety of wines
* Fertile valley floor -> large inexp volumes
* Cooler and less fertile areas -> Chile’s finest Q + most $
->Apalta + W coast

Curicó Valley
§ Main reputation -> inexp, high-volume red
§ Warm + dry
§ CS, SB, Merlot and Chardonnay

Maule Valley
§ a lot of vines
§ Traditionally -> high volumes of inexp
§ Many old bush vines -> País + Muscat of Alexandria
§ More Carignan than any other region in Chile
* VIGNO -> small batches

Question 5

Southern

Answer 5

o Higher latitude (36°–38°S)
o Climate gets cooler, wetter -> less hills

Itata Valley
§ Traditionally -> very cheap grapes for blending
§ old bush vine Muscat of Alexandria +
País -> HQ, distinctive wines (dry farm)
§ old-vine Cinsault -> good and very good

Bío Bío Valley
§ Some dry-farmed, old bush vine País
§ PN, Chard, Riesling + Gewurztraminer

Malleco Valley
§ Chard, SB and P.N -> high acid