8.4 Chile Flashcards
What current influences the climate along the Pacific coast of Chile?
The Humboldt current
It brings cooling air and water.
What mountain range provides cooling influences along the eastern edge of Chile?
The Andes Mountains
Altitude changes contribute to these cooling influences.
What type of climate do the vineyards of Chile generally have?
Warm Mediterranean climate
What are the Denominations de Origen (DOs) in Chile?
Wine laws governing wine production
How many regional DOs are there in Chile?
6 regional DOs
What are the four main regional DOs in Chile?
- Coquimbo
- Aconcagua
- Central Valley
- Southern Region
What are the three classifications of wine regions based on distance from the coast?
- Costa (coastal areas)
- Entire Cordilleras (in between)
- Andes (Mountain area)
What is unique about the viticulture in Chile regarding phylloxera?
Own rooted—no phylloxera
What type of rootstock is starting to be grafted in Chile?
Nematode resistant rootstock
What is the disease pressure like in Chilean vineyards?
Low disease pressure with lots of organic farming
What are the primary black grapes grown in Chile?
- Carmenère
- Cabernet Sauvignon (CS)
- Merlot (ME)
- Syrah (SY)
- Pinot Noir (PN)
Where did Carmenère originally come from?
Bordeaux
Describe the characteristics of Carmenère grapes.
Dark black fruit, high tannin, herbaceous, need warmth to ripen
What are the primary white grapes grown in Chile?
- Sauvignon Blanc (SB)
- Chardonnay (CH)
How does Sauvignon Blanc (SB) from Chile typically taste?
More green grassy
How does Chardonnay (CH) from Chile typically taste?
Not much oak, refreshing
What’s climate in southern region? And what grapes are produced here?
Cool
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
What is the climate like in the Coquimbo Region?
North, cool, lack of water needs irrigation
What is the Elqui Valley known for?
Reputable for SB and SY
Which grape variety is famous in the Limari Valley?
CH
What are the growing conditions like in the Aconcagua Valley?
Warmest growing condition on the valley floor
Which grape varieties are rich and ripe in the Aconcagua Valley?
Cab Sauv, Syrah, and Carmenère
What is the climate like in the Casablanca Valley, San Antonio Valley, and Leyda Valley?
Closer to the coast, cooler
What grape varieties are commonly found in the Casablanca Valley?
SB, CH, PN
What characteristic is noted for Syrah in Casablanca Valley?
Peppery
What is the Maipo Valley’s influence on wine?
More of a continental influence
Where are premium sites located in the Maipo Valley?
In the Andean foothills
What distinctive note is found in Cab Sauv from the Maipo Valley?
Minty note
What type of wines are produced in the Cachapoal Valley & Colchagua Valley?
Full bodied red wines
Which grape varieties are predominant in the Cachapoal Valley & Colchagua Valley?
Cab Sauv, SY & Carmenère
What are the characteristics of the Curicó Valley & Maule Valley?
Warmth & fertile soil
What is notable about the pricing of wines from Curicó Valley & Maule Valley?
Inexpensive
What grape varieties are grown in Curicó Valley & Maule Valley?
CS, SB, ME, CH
What type of wines does Carignan produce?
Full bodied intensely concentrated wines from ancient low-yielding bush vines that are dry farmed
