Chile Flashcards
What is País?
Chilean name for Mission Grape
Was Chile’s most planted grape until the 21st century
What mountain range separates Chile from the rest of South America?
Andes
What is Atacama?
A Denominacion di Origen (Region Vitícola) in Chile
What is Aconcagua?
A Denominacion di Origen (Region Vitícola) in Chile
What is the Valle Central?
A Denominacion di Origen (Region Vitícola) in Chile
What is Sur?
A Denominacion di Origen (Region Vitícola) in Chile
What is Austral?
A Denominacion di Origen (Region Vitícola) in Chile
What is Coquimbo?
A Denominacion di Origen (Region Vitícola) in Chile
What is the climate of Northern Chile?
Dry and desert-like
What is the climate of Atacama?
Dry and desert-like
When was Chilean wine law established?
1995
What is the 75% rule in Chile?
Vintage: varietal: and DO labels must have 75%
Are hybrid grapes allowed in Chile?
No
What is the minimum ABV of Chilean wine?
11.5%
What does Reserva mean in Chile?
Minimum 12% ABV
What does Reserva Especial mean in Chile?
Minimum 12% ABV
Vague oak aging
What does Reserva Privada mean in Chile?
Minimum 12.5% ABV
What does Gran Reserva mean in Chile?
Minimum 12.5% ABV
Vague oak aging
What is the northern most wine region in Chile?
Atacama DO
What does Costa mean in Chile?
Proximity to Pacific Ocean coast
What does Entre Cordilleras mean in Chile?
Between coast and Andes
What does Andes mean in Chile?
Proximity to Andes
General Chile climate
Warm Mediterranean
Fungal disease Chile
Low risk due to dry and sunny growing season
El niño/La niña Chile
El niño can cause dramatic rain increases
La niña can cause drought
Approaches to grape growing Chile
Sustainable and organic are widely practiced by both large and small estates
Due to promotion by well-respected winemakers and state
Cooling influences Chile
Humboldt Current (from Antarctica, blows inland along river valleys). Strongest where coastal mountains are lowest and valleys near Pacific
Cold air from Andes (descends into foothills at night, causes large diurnal range)
Most planted grape Chile
Cabernet Sauvignon (often blended with Merlot, Carmenère, or Syrah)
Chile’s signature grape variety
Carmenère
Primary white grapes Chile
Sauvignon Blanc
Chardonnay
Muscat of Alexandria (mostly for Pisco)
Muscat of Alexandria use Chile
Mostly for Pisco
<p>How would you describe the climate in Cachapoal Valley?</p>
<p>Warm, surrounded by mountains, no ocean influence</p>
<p>What is a constraint to grape growing in Coquimbo Region?</p>
<p>Irrigation is essential but very expensive due to lack of water resources.</p>
<p>The DO hierarchy?</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>The hierarchy is:</strong>
~~~
<ul>
<li>Region</li>
<li>Sub-region</li>
<li>Zone</li>
<li>Area</li>
<li>Example is Central Valley region (DO), Rapel Valley, Colchagua, Apalta</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
~~~
<p>Chile is a very long country and its vineyards run from 30 degrees south to 38 degrees south - but its climate is broadly similar across this area - what is it and describe it</p>
<ul>
<li>Despite covering 8 degrees of latitude the vineyard areas have a similar climate
<ul>
<li>Mediterranean climate;</li>
<li>Long, dry and sunny growing season</li>
<li>But it gets cooler and wetter further south</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p>What 2 black and 2 white grapes do well in Casablanca Valley and San Antonio Valley?</p>
<p>Syrah / Pinot Noir</p>
<p>Sauvignon Blanc / Chardonnay</p>
<p>Which Chilean grape variety used to be confused with Merlot?</p>
<p>Carmenere</p>
<p>What is the most widely grown grape variety in Chile?</p>
<p>Cabernet Sauvignon</p>
<p>What is the name of the national promotional body and what are its key aims?</p>
<ul style="list-style-type:circle;"> <li>Wines of Chile: <ul style="list-style-type:circle;"> <li>focused on promotion of mid-priced super premium wines,</li> <li>encouraging image of Chile as a premium producer</li> </ul> </li> </ul>
<p>What percentage of Chilean wine is exported?</p>
<p>70%</p>
<p>Which wine region near Santiago has the warmestclimate?</p>
<p>Maipo</p>
<p>What 1 white and 1 red wine would you expect from Elqui Valley?</p>
<p>Sauvignon Blanc and Syrah</p>
<p>80% of Chilean wine is made by just four wineries;name them.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type:circle;"> <li>80% of wine still produced by 4 companies: <ul style="list-style-type:circle;"> <li>Concha y Toro</li> <li>Santa Rita</li> <li>Santa Carolina</li> <li>San Pedro (have wineries in Argentina)</li> </ul> </li> </ul>
<p>What 3 things provides the cooling in Coastal areas and inside much of the Inland Mountain ranges?</p>
<p>1. The cold Humboldt Current flows up from Antarctica</p>
<p>2. Prevailing winds blow cool air inland along river valleys</p>
<p>3. Coastal areas can experience fog</p>
<p>Which Chilean winery produces "Casa Real?"</p>
<p>What grape is used?</p>
<p>What is the wine's DO?</p>
<p></p>
<p>Santa Rita</p>
<p>100% Cabernet Sauvignon</p>
<p>Maipo Valley DO</p>
<p>name the 6 main regional DOs</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>6 main regional DOs created: </strong>
~~~
<ul>
<li>Atacama</li>
<li>Coquimbo</li>
<li>Aconcagua</li>
<li>Central Valley</li>
<li>Southern</li>
<li>Austral was added later</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
~~~
<p>The DOs were divided along mainly political lines</p>
<p>What are the key export markets for Chile?</p>
<ul>
<li>Exports:
<ul>
<li>China is biggest export market for Chilean wines</li>
<li>Followed by USA; Japan; UK and Brazil</li>
<li>South American nations, like Brazil are covered by an FTA</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p>Chile is now in the \_\_\_\_ largestexporterof wine and the \_\_\_ largest producer.</p>
<p>4th / 7th</p>
<p>Introduced in 2012 what are the 3 new terms introduced to describe where a wine is from and what do they mean?</p>
<p>Costa = From near the coast</p>
<p>Entre Cordilleras = Between the (mountain) ranges</p>
<p>Andes = From the mountain area</p>
<p>Why did the Chilean government introduce extra designations for wine, on top of the DOs,such as Costa, Entre Cordilleras, Andes?</p>
<ul>
<li>Most vineyards planted within valleys that run East to West
<ul>
<li>most climatic variation runs East to West</li>
<li>the Pacific Ocean influences the western end of the Valleys - Costa</li>
<li>the Andes provides some cooling influence on the eastern end of the valley</li>
<li>these cooling influences help to retain acidity and lengthen the growing season</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p>Rapel Valley is subdivided into 2 zones, what are they?</p>
<p>Cachapoal Valley and Colchagua Valley</p>
<p>Carmenere can claim to be Chile's red varietal - describe the varietal and the wine made from it.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Carmenere:</strong>
<ul>
<li>Identified in 1994 (mistaken for Merlot)</li>
<li>Often used in blends with other Bordeaux varietals</li>
<li>Single varietal:
<ul>
<li>Good to very Good; Full body; High Tannin; Medium Acidity;</li>
<li>Ripe Blackberry, Bell pepper; Spicy, roasted coffee, or dark chocolate when oaked</li>
<li>Herbaceous characteristics – bell pepper and eucalyptus – can be overt if the fruit isn’t fully ripe</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Site selection important: ripens 2-3 weeks later than Merlot</li>
<li>need warm sunny sites or can be overly herbaceous with harsh Tannins</li>
<li>if picked when over ripe the wine can be overly alcoholic</li>
<li>research into clonal selection, site selection, harvesting dates with less extraction and new oak usage is seeing an evolution in Carmenere styles</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p>Cooling influences to Chile's climate - clue - there are quite a few</p>
<p><strong>Cooling influences</strong>:</p>
<ul>
<li>Pacific coast & Andes provide significant cooling influence at either end of the valleys</li>
<li>Range of low mountains along a significant part of coast
<ul>
<li>Altitude:300-800m</li>
<li>along the coast,</li>
<li>a range of low mountains forming a barrier against coastal influence</li>
<li>areas west of mountains exposed to ocean influences</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Humboldt Current: </strong>
<ul>
<li>flows up from Antarctica bringing cool water hence cool air;</li>
<li>morning fog produced (warm air rises from land during day & this cool air is sucked inland);</li>
<li>moderating temps until burnt away by sun, increasing humidity</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Gaps in coastal ranges allow for fog & cool breezes to enter, moderating vineyards East of coastal ranges</li>
<li>Vineyards planted on slopes providing cooling influences with altitude & aspect</li>
<li>Vineyards planted in East
<ul>
<li>at near or foothills of Andes;</li>
<li>cool mountain air descends from Andes overnight;</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p>high diurnal range& altitude moderating temps</p>
<p>Almaviva Wineryis a joint project between:</p>
<p>What type of wine is produced?</p>
<p>Where are they located (sub-region / DO)?</p>
<p>Concha y Toro and Baron Philippe de Rothschild.</p>
<p>Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated blend, with Carmenére, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc.</p>
<p>Puente Alto DO / Maipo Valley / Central Valley</p>
<p></p>
<p>To qualify for DO status what criteria must a wine meet?</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>To Qualify for DO status</strong>
<ul>
<li>75% of grapes must come from that region; 85% if exported to the EU</li>
<li>Varietal claim must be75% of variety; 85% if exported to the EU</li>
<li>Do wines must have min 11.5% ABV</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p>What grape has Leyda Valley gained an excellent reputation for growing?</p>
<p>Sauvignon Blanc</p>
<p>Which southern Chilean region is most focused on Pinot Noir production?</p>
<p></p>
<p>Bio Bio Valley</p>
<p>What is the white wine that makes Limari Valley stand out?</p>
<p>Chile's best Chardonnay</p>
<p>What are conditions like in Curicó Valley and Maule Valley and what is mainly grown there?</p>
<p>It's warm and the soils are fertile. Mainly grapes for bulk red and white blends, but Cabernet Sauvignon has become the star variety, producing full-bodied, intensely concentrated wines from ancient, low-yielding vines.</p>
<p>Where are the best vineyards in Maipo Valley located and what are they renowned for producing?</p>
<p>Many established houses are based due to:</p>
<p>3 major producers are:</p>
<p>Located in the Andean foothills</p>
<p>A reputation for producing Cabernet Sauvignon with a 'minty' character</p>
<p>Its proximity to Santiago.</p>
<p>Concha y Toro</p>
<p>Santa Rita</p>
<p>Cousiño Macul</p>
<p>Which Chilean winery is not only the largest in Chile, but also in the whole of South America?</p>
<p>Concha y Toro</p>
<p>What is the climate like in Chile's Southern region and which grapes perform well there?</p>
<p>Cooler and wetter the further south they are located.</p>
<p>País and Muscat of Alexandria are most planted</p>
<p>Pinot Noir andChardonnay are cultivated in tiny amounts in Malleco Valley.</p>
<p>What are the 2 sub-regions of Curicó?</p>
<p>Lontué and Teno</p>
<p>How would you describe the climate of Aconcagua Valley?</p>
<p>Differing by the three designations:</p>
<p>Costa Aconcagua Valley - cooling influence of ocean breezes and fog</p>
<p>Central (entre cordilleras) - warm and dry, 250mm, moderated by afternoon breezes</p>
<p>Aconcagua Andes - high diurnal range, warm sunny days, cool air from mountains at night</p>
<p>Which 3 sub regions make up Chile's Sur Region?</p>
<p>Itata Valley</p>
<p>Bio Bio Valley</p>
<p>Malleco Valley</p>
<p>Los Vascos winery is owned by which famous First Growth property in Bordeaux?</p>
<p>Chateau Lafite Rothschild</p>
<p>Which subregion of Coquimbohas lowest wine production?</p>
<p></p>
<p>Choapa Valley</p>
<p>What are the 4 sub regions (and 2 sub-sub-regions) of the Central Valley Region?</p>
<p>Maipo Valley</p>
<p>Rapel Valley - divided into Cachapoal and Colchagua</p>
<p>Curicó Valley</p>
<p>Maule Valley</p>
<p>Topographically, what are conditions like between the Coastal mountains and the Andes?</p>
<p>More sheltered. Large expanses of flat land that is easier to cultivate</p>
<p>Who produces "Clos Apalta?"</p>
<p></p>
<p>Casa Lapostolle</p>
<p>The VIGNO association exists to preserve old vine \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ in \_\_\_ Valley.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Carignan / Maule</p>
<p>Concepción, Chile's 3rd largest city, is closest to what wine region?</p>
<p></p>
<p>Itata Valley</p>
<p>Identify 3 Chilean wineries that were founded in the 19th Century:</p>
<p>1. Concha y Toro</p>
<p>2. Cousiño Macul</p>
<p>3. Santa Rita</p>
<p>Which Chilean region lies directly across the Andes from Argentina's Mendoza?</p>
<p></p>
<p>Maipo Valley</p>
<p>What factors contribute to Casablanca Valley and San Antonio Valley being cooled?</p>
<p>What climate to they have?</p>
<p>They lie between the Pacific Ocean and the Coastal Mountains benefitting from morning fogs and afternoon winds from the Ocean.</p>
<p>Cool maritime climate</p>
<p>Wines indicating a DO region in Chile must contain what minimum percentage of a variety to include it on a label?</p>
<p></p>
<p>75%</p>
<p>Working from North to South what are the 6main DO regions of Chile?</p>
<p>Atacama DO</p>
<p>Coquimbo DO</p>
<p>Aconcagua DO</p>
<p>Central Valley (Valle Central) DO</p>
<p>Sur DO</p>
<p>Austral DO</p>