36. Chile Flashcards
What are the 4 geographical features that define Chile’s vineyards?
- Pacific Ocean to the west
- coastal mountain ranges just inland
- Andes Mountains to the east
- Central Valley to the south
Describe the climate of Chile. What are the moderating influences?
- Warm, Mediterranean climate
- dry, sunny growing season
- minimal fungal disease
- shortage of water
- irrigation water in short supply
- cooler/wetter to the south
- El Nino: rainfall increases
- La Nina: drought
Moderating influences:
- cold Humboldt Current flows up from Antarctica
- fog near the coast
- cold air from the Andes in the foothills overnight (large diurnal range)
What are areas in Chile’s GI scheme called?
Denominaciones de Origen (DOs)
What are the 4 principal wine regions of Chile?
- Coquimbo
- Aconcagua
- Central Valley
- Southern Region
How many better known sub regions are there?
13
What are the subregions split into? Why?
Zones - each zone has a more unified climate. The subregions are too large for this; very diverse.
What new degree of classification was released in Chile in 2012? What are the terms and what to do they indicate? Are they required?
Classification that categorized vineyard sites according to their distance from the coast rather than their latitude
Note: Not required. The producer can choose to use these terms in addition to the DO.
- Costa (coastal areas)
- Entre Cordilleras (areas between mountain ranges)
- Andes (mountain areas)
What are the 4 unofficial quality levels in Chile?
- Reserva
2 Reserva Especial - Reserva Privada
- Gran Reserva
What are the top 5 black grape varieties in Chile?
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Merlot
- Carmenère
- Syrah
- Pinot noir
Describe typical Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon.
- very ripe black fruit
- herbaceous character
- frequently blended with Merlot, Carmenère, Syrah
Describe the two styles of Chilean Merlot.
Style 1:
- inexpensive
- medium body
- fruit
Style 2:
- fuller body
- more complex
Describe typical Chilean Carmenère.
- late ripening
- most successful in the warmest and sunniest sites
- full body
- high tannin
-can be overtly herbaceous if overripe
OR
-black fruit, herbal
Describe the two styles of Chilean Syrah.
Cooler coast/northern regions
- lighter in body
- peppery
Hotter climates like Colchagua Valley
- intense black fruit
- full body
Where in Chile does Pinot Noir grow well?
cooler sites like
- San Antonio Valley
- Casablanca Valley
What are the 2 main white grape varieties of Chile?
- Sauvignon Blanc
2. Chardonnay
Where in Chile does Sauvignon Blanc grow well? Describe the wines.
cooler sites
- Casablanca Valley
- San Antonio Valley
- high acid
- intense fruit: apple, citrus, tropical
- herbaceous
- some have richness/texture with lees stirring and oak
What is the third most planted white grape variety in Chile? What is it typically used for?
Muscat of Alexandria
-mostly used for the production of the grape brandy Pisco
What other white grapes are grown in Chile? In what type of sites do they grow well? Name two examples.
- Viognier
- Riesling
- Gewurztraminer
-fresh, fruity wines in cool regions (Bio Bio Valley, Itata Valley)
Where is the Coquimbo region located? Describe the climate.
- most northerly Chilean wine region
- borders the Atacama Desert
- brilliant sunshine
- cooling influences from sea breezes and mountain air
- challenge = lack of water
- irrigation is essential but expensive
What the the three winemaking sub-regions of Coquimbo? What wines do they specialize in?
- Elqui Valley - Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah
- Limari Valley - Chardonnay
- Choapa Valley
What are the three main winemaking sub-regions of the Aconcagua region?
- Aconcagua Valley
- Casablanca Valley
- San Antonio Valley
Describe the climate and geography of the Aconcagua Valley. What wines thrive here?
- steep sided narrow valley
- cooling influences from ocean and Andes mountains
- fertile valley floor = warmest
Red wines:
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Syrah
- Carmenere
What is the traditional style of wine in the Aconcagua Valley? What styles are more recent? What does this mean in terms of where the vines are planted?
Traditional:
- rich
- ripe fruit
- high alcohol
- high tannins
Recent:
- reduce alcohol levels
- more freshness
- more complex fruit flavors
Plantings moving from the valley floor to the slopes or towards the coast
Describe the climate and geography of the Casablanca Valley and the San Antonio Valley. What types of wine thrive here?
- lie between the coast ranges and the Pacific ocean
- cooler sites
- morning fog
- afternoon winds
White Wines
- Sauvignon Blanc (Leyda Valley zone of SAV)
- Chardonnay
