36. Chile Flashcards
What is the climate of Chile?
Warm Mediterranean
Why are fungal diseases rare in Chile?
Because of the dry, sunny growing season
Name the weather patterns that can affect the wine regions in Chile?
- El Nino: Rainfall levels can dramatically increase
- El Nina: Drought may occur
What are the geographical factors that moderates the weather in Chile?
- The cold Humboldt Current from Antarctica
- Fog in areas close to coast
- Cold air descending from Andes Mountains
What is the most widely planted grape variety in Chile?
Cabernet Sauvignon
What is Chile’s signature grape variety?
Carmenere
What are the characteristics of Chile’s Cabernet Sauvignon?
Very ripe black fruit aromas and flavours, often with a herbaceous character
What style of Merlot is very successful on export markets in Chile?
Inexpensive, medium-bodied and fruity Merlots
What are the characteristics of Chile’s Carmenere?
- Full-bodied
- High tannins
- Can have overtly herbaceous character when not fully ripe
Compare the Shiraz produced in Elqui Valley and Colchagua Valley
- Elqui Valley: Cooler. Lighter in body with peppery notes
- Colchagua Valley: Hot. Great intensity of black fruit flavours and fuller body
Pinot Noir is grown in which areas of Chile?
Cooler areas like San Antonio and Casablanca Valleys
Name the two most widely planted white grapes in Chile?
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Chardonnay
Sauvignon Blanc is grown in which areas of Chile?
Cooler areas like San Antonio and Casablanca Valleys
Tasting notes of Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
- High acidity
- Intense fruity flavours
- Ripe apple, citrus and tropical flavours
- Sometimes herbal notes
- Oak and lees stirring is sometime used
What style of Chardonnays are produced in Chile?
Modern international style with ripe fruit and oak flavours
What is the third most widely planted white grape variety in Chile? What is it used for?
- Muscat
- Production of grape brandy Pisco
Name the regions and their important subregions in Chile from north to south
Coquimbo Region - Elqui Valley - Limari Valley Aconcagua Region - Aconcagua Valley - Casablanca Valley - San Antonio Valley Central Valley - Maipo Valley - Cachapoal Valley - Colchagua Valley - Curico Valley - Maule Valley Southern Region - Itata Valley - Bio Bio Valley
What is the biggest challenge in Coquimbo region?
Lack of water
Elqui region has a reputation for producing wines from which grapes?
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Syrah
The best Chardonnays come from which region of Chile?
Limari Valley
Aconcagua Valley is famous for production of which grape varieties? Why?
- Cabernet Sauvignon (dominant), Syrah, Carmenere
- Because the valley floor between the coastal mountain range and Andes offer some of the warmest growing conditions in Chile
What is the new trend in winemaking in Aconcagua Valley?
Reducing the alcohol levels so plantings are less focused on the fertile valley floor and spread towards the slopes
What is the difference between the location of Aconcagua Valley and Casablanca and San Antonio Valleys
- Aconcagua Valley lies between coastal mountain range and Andes
- Casablanca and San Antonio Valleys lie between coastal mountains and Pacific
What are the factors that moderate the climate in Casablanca and San Antonio Valleys?
Morning fog and afternoon winds that blow in off the ocean cools the vineyard sites
Which sub-zone of San Antonio Valley has the greatest reputation for Sauvignon Blanc?
Leyda Valley
What is the most planted black grape variety in Casablanca and San Antonio Valleys?
Pinot Noir
The majority of Chilean vineyards are located in which region?
Central Valley region
In Central Valley region of Chile, the production is focused on what types of wines
Inexpensive fruity wines from Merlot and Chardonnay
Where are most of the premium sites located in Maipo region?
In the foothills of Andes, cooled by the descending air
Maipo Valley has a reputation for which grape?
Cabernet Sauvignon (minty character)
Which grapes dominate in the valley floor and in the eastern end of the Cachapoal Valley?
- Valley floor: Carmenere
- Eastern end of valley: (Cooler) Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah
Which grapes dominate in the Colchagua Valley?
Full bodied reds:
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Syrah
- Carmenere
What kind of wines are produced in the west part of Colchagua valley? Why?
- High quality white wines
- Because of greater cooling Pacific influence
Generally what style of wines are produced in Curico and Maule Valleys?
Inexpensive blended red and white wines
From which grape variety, are full-bodied, intensely concentrated wines produced from ancient low-yielding bush vines in Curico and Maule Valleys?
Carignan
How is the climate in southern region?
Noticeably cooler and wetter
Which grapes dominate in the Itata and Bio Bio Valleys?
- Pais
- Muscat of Alexandria
Which grapes are now being popularized in Bio Bio Valley?
- Pinot Noir
- Chardonnay
- Aromatic varieties
What is the most southerly sub-region of Southern Region in Chile? Which grapes are grown?
- Malleco
- Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
The new classification (2012) of wine regions in Chile depend on which criteria?
The distance of the vineyards from the coast
How are the wines labelled according to the new 2012 classification?
- Costa : For coastal areas
- Entre Cordilleras: Areas between mountain ranges
- Andes: Mountain area
Are there strict criteria for the labelling terms “ Reserva”, “Reserva Especial”, “Reserve Privado” and “Gran Reserva”?
No, they are loosely defined. Can be useful to estimate the quality levels within a producer’s portfolio of wines
