Ch. 28 – Chile Flashcards
History of winemaking in Chile
Vinifera brought in by Spanish settlers in 1550s
- Pais and Muscat (often oxidative)
19th century - independence from Spain
1851 Silvestre Ochagavia Echazarreta imported vines from Bordeaux
During Phylloxera time in Europe many European winemakers went to Chile
1980s Chile is isolated from the rest of the world - vineyards being pulled up
Democracy and free market - new investments and focus on quality
Geography and climate
30-38’S
Fairly consistent climate from north to south.
- warm Mediterranean long dry summers (cooler and wetter further south)
- Low latitude - strong sunshine
Varying rainfall 80-1200mm
El Nino phenomenon (high rainfall) La Nina (drought)
Significant vintage variation
Pacific and Andes - cooling influence (acidity retention)
Humboldt current (from Antarctica) brings cold water and air which is sucked up inland (also creating fog) increased humidity
Costal ranges (low mountains) and Andes part south - creating large dry warm and sunny central valley - inexpensive wines
Cool air descending from Andes (high diurnal range)
Soils
Fertile river valleys (alluvial soils with clay, sand, silt and gravel)
Slopes - less fertile
Coastal ranges - more gravel with sand and silt
Andes - volcanic soil, mainly granite
(very limited limestone)
Vineyard management
Significant vintage variations (el Nino)
Reliable ripening
Risk of fungal diseases usually minimal
- can be issue in coastal regions
Sustainable and organic is widely practised
85% of vineyards are irrigated (except Itata, Bio Bio)
- water from melting snow
Forest fires
Phylloxera free - old ungrafted vines
VSP is now common
Mechanization is easy on flat land (but still low - cheap labour)
Grape varieties
and winemaking
Until 1990 most common - Pais
- 75% was pulled up since 1980
Recent shift towards international varieties - Bordeaux
Issues with vine identification (Carmenere x Merlot 1994)
(Sauvignon Blanc x Sauvignonasse, Sauvignon Gris)
Increasing diversity in wine styles
Experimentation with less oak, concrete, whole bunches, gentler extraction, skin and lees contact
Key black grape varieties
Cabernet Sauvignon
- single varietal or blend with Merlot, Carmenere, Syrah
- Full body, high but ripe tannins, pronounced dark fruit
- Often herbaceous (mint, eucalyptus) character
- traditionally grown in poorer soils of Andes
Merlot
- Usually inexpensive, export wine
- soft tannins, med body, dark fruit
Carmenere
- officially identified in 1994 (confused with Merlot)
- full body, high tannin, med acidity, black fruit, herbaceous, spice
- Site selection is important
- Ripens 3 weeks later than Merlot (needs warmth and sun)
- Can get overly alcoholic
Syrah
- variety of styles
Pinot Noir
- improving rapidly
Cabernet Sauvignon
- single varietal or blend with Merlot, Carmenere, Syrah
- Full body, high but ripe tannins, pronounced dark fruit
- Often herbaceous (mint, eucalyptus) character
- traditionally grown in poorer soils of Andes
Merlot
- Usually inexpensive, export wine
- soft tannins, med body, dark fruit
Carmenere
- officially identified in 1994 (confused with Merlot)
- full body, high tannin, med acidity, black fruit, herbaceous, spice
- Site selection is important
- Ripens 3 weeks later than Merlot (needs warmth and sun)
- Can get overly alcoholic
Key white grape varieties
Sauvignon Blanc
- cooler areas
- very good quality, high acidity, citrus to tropical
- sometimes lees contact and oak
Chardonnay
- med+ (high) acidity
- citrus, stone fruit
- oaked or unoaked
Official wine law (DOs)
1995 Decominaciones de Origen (DOs)
6 main regional DOs (mainly along political boundaries)
Sub-regions (following river valleys)
Zones within sub-regions
Areas (can belong to zone or sub-region if zone does not exist)
Addition to DO system
‘East to west classification’
2011 addition to DO system
Costa (coastal influence)
Entre Cordilleras (between)
Andes
(slow to adopt this system)
DO requirements
75% of grapes must come from the region
(or 85% if exported to Europe)
Varietal labelling - 75% of that variety
(or 85% if exported to Europe)
Minimum alcohol 11.5%
Legally recognised labelling terms
Superior
Reserva (min 12%)
Reserva Especial (min 12%)
Reserva Privada (min 12.5% min 6 mths in oak)
Gran Reserva (min 12.5% min 6 mths in oak)
Little meaning beside of higher min alcohol
More useful for distinguishing between wines in one portfolio
4 main wine producing regions
Coquimbo
Aconcagua
Central Valley
Southern
Sub-regions in Coquimbo
Elqui
Limari
Chaopa Valley
Sub-regions in Aconcagua
Aconcagua Valley
Casablanca Valley
San Antonio
Central Valley sub-regions
Maipo Valley
- Alto Maipo Area
Rapel Valley
- Cachapoal Valley Zone
- — Puemo Area
- Colchagua Valley
- — Apalta Area
Curico Valley
Maule Valley
—- Cauquenes Area
Sub-regions of Southern region
Itata Valley
Bio Bio Valley
Malleco Valley
Coquimbo region general
Traditionally source of grapes for Pisco (now high quality area)
Low lattitude (around 30’S) high summer temperatures and intense sunlight
Cooling influence from Pacific and mountains
- intense fruit flavours, fresh acidity, alcohol can be high
Humboldt Current brings morning fogs and cooling breezes (little or no rainfall)
On the edge of Atacama Desert - irrigation is essential
Difficult conditions - small production (can be premium)
Elqui
River Elqui
Lack of coastal mountains - morning fog can reach further inland
- Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc
- high acidity, fresh fruit flavours
Some of the highest vineyards (up to 2200m)
- intense sunshine and diurnal range
- deep colour yet fresh
Limari
Limari River cuts narrrow steep valley through Coastal Mountains
West is cooled by fog and breezes from north (no mountains in north)
Cooling influence by mountains (up to 1500m)
Pockets of calcareous soil (unusual for Chile) with good water holding capacity (useful in desert like conditions)
Chardonnay - full range of styles
Pinot Noir (experimenting)
Syrah - successful
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carmenere (warmer east)
Aconcagua Valley
(after Aconcagua river and mountain)
Andes, Costa, Entre Cordilleras is very clear here and widely used
Central part - dry and warm, lightly moderated by breezes from coast, Rain 250mm (irrigation essential)
- ripe full bodied reds with high alcohol and tannin
- Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot (Syrah, Carmenere)
- East and west of valley - cooler, fresher styles
Aconcagua costa - morning fogs and breezes
- ideal for whites
- Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
Aconcagua Andes - up to 1000m, sunny warm cold nights
- large diurnal range
- reds with pronounced ripe fruit, fresh acidity
Casablanca Valley
Hills in north restrict cool, humid air from escaping valley (one of the coolest regions
Spring frost can be severe
Reputation for whites - Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay Pinot Noir (red berry, herbaceous) Cool climate Syrah
Small production - med to premium priced
San Antonio
Heavily influenced by ocean
Variety of soils and aspects
Pinot Noir, Syrah, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc (Leyda Valley Zone) flagship
Central Valley region
general
sheltered from maritime influences by coastal ranges
warm fertile, well-irrigated plains
Ripe, inexpensive fruity wines
Now also quality minded sub-regions with premium wines
Maipo Valley
Surrounds capital Santiago
Coastal rages shelter area from maritime influences - warm and sunny
Dominated by black varieties (known for Cabernet Sauvignon - cassis, minty)
Carmenere, Syrah
Almost entirely surrounded by mountains
(up to 1000m)
- Alto Maipo Area (and its sub-regions Puente Alto and Pirque are known for outstanding Cabernet and Bordeaux blends)
Rapel Valley
sub-divided into two zones (Rapel rarely on label)
- Cachapoal Valley
- Colchagua Valley
Cachapoal Valley
zone of Rapel Valley
warmer (cut off maritime influences)
warm fertile valley floor (inexpensive reds)
- Cabernet, Carmenere, Syrah
Area around Puemo (recognised for full bodies Carmenere)
- sheltered from cold air from Andes but gets funnelled air from coast (reduced frost risk, long growing season for Carmenere)
Colchagua Valley
zone of Rapel Valley
wide variety of wines
Warm, fertile central part (inexpensive)
Some less fertile, cooler areas - some of Chile’s most prized wines
- Apalta - south-facing amphitheatre, captures cool breezes, great sun exposure, poor soils
- Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, Syrah (often blend)
Western end - fully exposed to coast
- Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
East of coastal ranges - Syrah, Carmenere
Curico Valley
reputation for inexpensive wines
warm, fertile
Easy irrigation
Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Chardonnay
Maule Valley
Most plantings of Chile
Traditionally known for high volumes (changing into quality - dry farmed old vines)
Slightly cooler than Curico and wetter
Old bush vines of Pais and Muscat of Alexandria (100-200 years)
- pale in colour, med body and acidity, strawberry, spicy, herbal, low (med-) tannins (carbonic sometimes used)
VIGNO association of growers of old vine dry-farmed Carignan (Cauquenes zone is particularly known)
Association of old-vine Carignan in Maule and most associated zone
VIGNO
Cauquenes Zone
Southern Region general
coastal hills diminish
- less protection from Pacific
- cooler, wetter
- problem of fungal diseases (ocean breezes and good canopy management help)
Itata Valley
Historicaly cheap blending grapes but now raises quality
Old bush vines - Muscat of Alexandria and Pais
- dry farmed high quality wines
+ old bush vine Cinsault
New wineries - Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon
Bio Bio Valley
some dry-farmed old bush vines of traditional varieties
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Gewurztraminer
up to 1000mm of rain
Malleco Valley
only handful of producers
Cool climate
- Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir (early ripening)
High acidity
Wine Business
Fourth largest exporter in world
Exports 70% of its production (weak domestic market)
Low average value per unit
Promotional body - Wines of Chile - works on promoting premium wines
Number of free-trade agreements - China, South Korea, USA; Japan, UK
MERCOSUR free trade area with Brazil
80% of whole production is by 4 companies:
- Concha y Toro, Santa Rita, Santa Carolina, San Pedro
- some also own wineries in Argentina
Chile attracted some foreign investors - Torres, Mouton Rothschild, Lafite Rothschild, Kendall-Jackson (cheap land and running costs)
MOVI - Movimiento de Vinateros Independientes - Movement of independt producers of quality wine
