36 - Chile

Question 1

What is the climate of Chile, generally speaking?

Answer 1

Warm and mediterranean.
dry and sunny, grapes ripen and fungal diseases not common
irrigation is common.
water for irrigation is in short supply.
in the Southern Regions - cooler and wetter. El Nino (rainfall) and La Nina (drought) can affect wine regions

Question 2

What are the black grape varieties commonly grown in Chile?

Answer 2

Cabernet Sauvignon: most planted grape variety. Ranges simple and fruity, to full-bodied premium examples. Usually ripe, black fruit and flavors and herbaceous. Often blended with Merlot, Carmenere, Syrah

Merlot: successful on export markets
Carmenere: late ripening variety - most successful in the warmest and sunniest sites. usually full-bodied, high tannin. Chile’s signature variety
Syrah: wide variety of sites and styles. range from pepery to black fruity and full-bodied, depending on climate.

Pinot Noir: grows in cooler locations

Question 3

Which are the two white varieties that dominate Chilean plantings? What are their characteristics?

Answer 3

Sauvignon Blanc: does well in cooler sites -> high acid, fruity, apple, citrus, tropical, herbaceous. Casablanca and san Antonio are sites where SB is grown well
Chardonnay: modern international style with ripe fruit, oak. Quality and range of styles produced is growing constantly.

Question 4

Where is Coquimbo Region located within Chile? What are the three winemaking sub-regions?

Answer 4

Most northerly of Chile’s principal wine regions.
Elqui Valley, Limari Valley, Choapa Valley

this region is known for high quality

Question 5

What are the climatic influences of Coquimbo Region?

Answer 5

benefit from brilliant sunshine

cooling influences from sea breezes and mountain air

Question 6

What grapes are Elqui Valley and Limari Valley in Chile’s Coquimbo region known for?

Answer 6

Elqui Valley: Sauvignon Blanc

Limari Valley: Chardonnay

Question 7

What is the classification system for wine in Chile?

Answer 7

vineyard areas are divided into Dominaciones de Origen (DOs).
4 principal regions: Coquimbo, Aconcagua, Central Valley, Southern Region

The principal regions are sub-divided into 13 sub-regions.

Question 8

What do the terms Costa, Entre Cordilleras and Andes mean on wine labels?

Answer 8

these terms categorize vineyard sites according to their distance from the coast
Costa (coastal areas)
Entre Cordilleras (areas between mountain ranges)
Andes (mountain areas)

These are used to complement the DO system, not replace.

Question 9

Where is the Aconcagua Region located?

Answer 9

South of Coquimbo Region, which is the northermost region in Chile

Question 10

What are the 3 sub-regions of the Aconcagua Region?

Answer 10

Aconcagua Valley
Casablanca Valley
San Antonio Valley

Question 11

What are features of Aconcagua Valley in the Aconcagua Region?

Answer 11

steep-sided narrow valley. Receives some cooling influences from the ocean and the Andes Mountains
Vineyards on fertile valley floor = some of warmest conditions in Chile for wine.
classic grape = Cabernet.
Syrah has become more important, along with Carmenere.
known for reds with rich ripe fruit flavors, high alcohol high tannin
producers have been looking to reduce alcohol and increase freshness -> less plantings on fertile valley floor, and more on the slopes or towards coast.

Question 12

True/False: Casablanca Valley and San Antonio Valley share similar characteristics

Answer 12

True, because they are neighboring sub-regions. Offer many different soils and aspects. Lie between coastal mountains and the Pacific -> morning fogs and afternoon winds that offer cooling influences. -> white varieties well-suited.

Sauv Blanc greatest reputation in San Antonio Valley and the Leyda Valley zone within this region.

Chardonnay, Pinot, Syrah are also successes.

Question 13

True/False: Central Valley is a steeply sloped region that makes a small selection of wines

Answer 13

False. Central Valley is a vast and warm flat region and is where the majority of Chilean vineyards are found

Question 14

What is Central Valley’s wine production focused on?

Answer 14

Inexpensive, fruity wines often made from Merlot and Chardonnay

Question 15

What are the 4 sub-regions of Central Valley?

Answer 15

Maipo Valley
Rapel Valley (subdivided into Cachapoal and Colchagua Valleys)
Curico Valley
Maule Valley

Question 16

What does Maipo Valley have a reputation for? How does its climate and terrain support this?

Answer 16

It is known for Cabernet Sauvignon with a minty character.

it’s almost completely surrounded by mountains, little coastal influence. The premium sites are in the foothills of Andes where they’re cooled by descending air.

Question 17

Where are Cachapoal Valley and Colchagua Valleys of the Rapel sub-region located? What are the distinct characteristics of their wines?

Answer 17

Cachapoal is more northerly, warm area. Carmenere grows on valley floors. Cabernet and Syrah grow in cooler eastern part.

Colchagua Valley: larger area. Warm, open to some ocean influence. Full-bodied reds from Cabernet especially, as well as Syrah and Carmenere.

Question 18

Where are the Curico Valley and Maule Valley sub-regions within Central Valley? What are characteristics of the climate and the wines produced in these sub-regions?

Answer 18

They are in the southern end of Central Valley
soils are warm and fertile -> produce high volume, inexpensive red and white blends

Maule Valley vineyards are cooler than Curico Valley. The vineyards in Maule Valley are cooler than Curico valley and wines therefore more acid.

Question 19

What are the three sub-regions of the Southern Region of Chile?

Answer 19

Itata Valley
Bio Bio Valley
Malleco Valley

cooler and wetter vineyards the further south you go

plantings doinated by Pais and Muscat of Alexandria, for local consumption. Some Pinot Noir Chardonnay also grown.