28 - Chile Flashcards
Despite eight degrees of latitude, Chile’s climate is fairly consistent across most regions. Describe that climate.
Warm, Mediterranean climate –> growing season length, sunshine, rainfall
Generally low latitude –> intense sunlight, why?
Generally low rainfall - as low as 80mm in Elqui
El Nino phenomenon –> higher than average rainfall every 2-10yrs (reverse is El Nina) –> vintage variation
Describe how mountains impact the growing environment of different regions.
Coastal vineyards exposed to cold Humboldt current –> afternoon breeze and morning fog –> e.g. Casablanca
Coastal Ranges 300-800m protect regions inland from this coastal influence –> some gaps in valleys running east-west with western end of valley getting significant cooling
Central Valley between CR and Andes has greater continentality with very dry, hot conditions e.g. Cachapoal Valley
Andes rise up to east - altitude and cold air descending –> plantings in foothills e.g. Aconcagua Andes
Which soil types are found in Chile and where?
Alluvial soils - rivers valleys
Gravel –> Coastal ranges
Granite –> Andes
Limestone outcrops –> Limari Valley
What are the opportunities and challenges of vineyard management in Chile? (4+, 3-)
+ Sunny, dry, warm climate –> heathy + ripe grapes –> tannin, anthocyanins
+ Dry –> little disease pressure –> cost of sprays, organics
+ Phylloxera free due to Andes and quarantine –> many old, ungrafted vines
+ Lots of flat land –> mechanisation
- Dry conditions require irrigation (85% of vineyards) –> drip or flood –> cost, water availability
- Forest fires –> smoke taint
- Nematodes mean many vines still need to be grafted
Name the main exceptions to Chile’s irrigated vineyards
Regions of Bio-Bio and Maule - higher rainfall
Old vines with deep roots
What are the challenges with irrigation? (4)
- Reduction in water availability - less snowmelt due to warming climate, increased evapotranspiration
- This makes flood irrigation - popular and cheap - less of an option
- Sloped vineyards must rely on drip irrigation –> expensive, can encourage shallow-rooted vines
- Regions without rivers must build + maintain aquifers e.g. Casablanca
Where in Chile would fungal disease remain an issue?
- Humid coastal regions
- Itata and Bio-Bio with higher rainfall
What are the seven most widely planted grapes in Chile?
Name the style of wine Chile is best known for? How has that been changing?
Cheap, fruity, early-drinking from Cab, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and so on.
Improving quality and price point with a diverse array of grapes including old-vine Pais and aromatic whites plus an array of winemaking techniques
Describe the range of styles produced using Cabernet Sauvignon, where the grape is commonly planted and any notable winemaking techniques.
- Cheap, simple, fruity - planted in Central Valley
- Complex, age-worthy - planted in Andes foothills –> vigour and ripening
- Blended with Merlot, Carmenere, Syrah
Where is most Chilean Merlot planted? In what style?
Central Valley –> cheap, fruity with med body for export market
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Describe the characteristics of Carmenere. Describe its flavour and structure.
Relatively late-ripening - 2-3 weeks after Merlot
Lits warm, sunny sites to avoid too much herbaceousness + underripe tannins
Can easily become too alcoholic, however
Flavour ripe black fruit, herbaceous + oak flavours
Structure med acid, high tannin, full-body (good-VG)
Why is the style of Carmenere likely to continue evolving?
More research in clonal selection, site selection and harvesting as well as less extraction and more common usage of oak
Give examples of different regions where Syrah is planted and the style produced by each.
- Cooler e.g. Limari, Elqui
- Warmer e.g. Colchagua Valley
Where is Pinot Noir commonly planted? Very briefly describe the style produced.
Cooler regions –> Casablanca, San Antonia
Red fruit, herbal with med-high ABV
What is Chile’s Denominaciones de Origen based on?
Geography w/ minimal winemaking stipulations
Fairly relaxed - >75% of grapes from the region
>11.5% ABV
Situate Coquimbo and describe the growing conditions. Name the three DOs of the region.
What kind of wine production is it best known for?
Situation most northerly area
Low latitude –> sunlight, summer temps
Humboldt current / mountains
Extremely dry 100mm per year
DOs: Elqui, Limari, Choapa
Wines: previously grapes for Pisco, now small-production premium wines due to remoteness
Compare and contrast the growing environments of Elqui and Limari and the styles of wine they produced.
River Valleys allow coastal influence incl morning fog to travel far inland (no coastal mountains) –> Sauvignon Blanc does well in coastal Elqui, Chardonnay in Limari
Altitude influence in the east of each region with vineyards planted up to 2,200m in Elqui (some of the highest in Chile) –> Syrah does well in high altitude Elqui
Soils exceptionally Limari has some calcareous soils –> moisture –> Pinot Noir , Syrah and Chardonnay
Warmer further inland for both valleys –> range of Chardonnay produced in Limari as well as Cab S, Merlot, Carmenere
Why is Aconcagua able to produce such a variety of wine styles?
A vast range of growing environments from hot/dry/flat in some parts of Aconcagua Valley through to some of Chile’s coolest vineyards in Casablanca and San Antonio.
Describe how the growing environment of Aconcagua Valley changes and how this influences the style of wine produced.
Aconcagua Costa - morning fog/ocean breeze –> Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, cool-climate Syrah
Aconcagua Entre Cordilleras - warm and dry (250mm) –> ripe, full-bodied, high ABV reds esp. Cab S, Merlot, Syrah, Carmenere
Aconcagua Andes - >1000m –> diurnals –> red wine with lower ABV, more acid
Describe the growing environment and wines of the Casablanca Valley.
Briefly compare and contrast San Antonio / Leyda Valley.
Hills to the north and east trap cool, humid air –> one of Chile’s coolest regions
Cold nights can lead to spring frost risk
Westerly / low lying areas most at risk
HQ Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and some Syrah produced
San Antonio is better protected due to westerly hills –> Sauvignon Blanc is flagship with high acid, med body, citrus, herbaceous, wet stones
Describe the growing environment of the Central Valley and very briefly any distinctive characteristics of its four different sub-regions and the wines that they produce.
Central Valley flat, fertile, irrigated plains, mostly cut-off from coastal influence
1. Maipo completely cut off, eastern Alto Maipo for better quality –> Cab, Merlot, Carmenere, Syrah
2. Rapel –> Cachapoal and Colchagua
Cachapoal warm, fertile –> cheap Cab, Carm, Syrah. Good shit from Peumo
Colchagua larger, Andes to coast with most production in warm, fertile centre; hill areas in centre like Apalta good for HQ wines as are coastal and Andean foothills
3. Curcio Valley many rivers provide irrigation, large variety of grapes planted for high vol production
4. Maule mainly high vol but gain rep for HQ wines, slightly cooler and wetter as south, old vine Pais and Muscat of Alexandria
Using the examples of Puemo, Apalta and Maule, explain how the Central Valley is able to produce HQ wines which sell for premium prices.
Puemo (Cachapoal) receives coastal winds due to river valley –> reduces frost risk and extends growing season –> perfect for late-ripening Carmenere
Apalta (Colchagua) hills for a south-facing amphitheatre which catches cool breezes and has poor soils –> controls vigour and slow ripening of Cab, Surah, Carmenere
Maule further south so cooler + wetter in winter –> possible to dry farm + stock of 100-200yr old vines of Pais and Muscat de Alexandria
Describe the growing environment of the southern region.
Name the DOs and any notable characteristics and styles.
Coastal influence due to fewer, lower coastal hills
Rainfall much higher, up to 1,000mm in Bio Bio –> fungal disease
Cooler with temps rarely above 30c
Higher latitude so longer days during growing season
Itata Valley 3/4 planted with old bush vines of MdA and Pais plus old-vine Cinsault (med alcohol, fresh acid, red/black fruit, liquorice) + int’l varieties being planted by wineries from north worried about climate change and lack of water
Bio Bio mix of dry farmed and trad varieties esp. Riesling, Gewurtz, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc
Malleco - see above
Chile is the world’s fourth-largest exporter. What is a key challenge for the country?
How is the country responding? (5)
Low average value per unit - only Spain and South Africa are lower
- Wines of Chile - focus on mid-SP priced wines
- Free-trade agreements e.g. China (now Chile’s largest export market) and MERCOSUR
- Attempts to focus on unique varieties e.g. Carmenere, Pais
- FDI from companies such as Robert Mondavi and Sena
- Movimiento de Viñateros Independientes (MOVI) - grouping of small producers to promote in domestic and export
To what extent is Chile’s wine production concentrated?
Highly concentrated - 80% produced by four companies incl. Concha y Toro
Wineries own large swathes of lang and source grapes from growers
