Chile Flashcards
What are the 5 winemaking regions of the Central Valley region?
Majority of production here. Mainly inexpensive wines.
Maipo Valley Cachapoal Valley Colchagua Valley Curico Valley Maule Valley
What are the main regions, grapes, and climates of Maipo Valley?
Cabernet Sauvignon
Little coastal influence
Cab. Sauv is very minty
What are the main regions, grapes, and climates of Cachapoal Valley?
Carmenere, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah
Part of “Rapel” sub-region
What are the main regions, grapes, and climates of Colchagua Valley?
Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, Syrah
Part of “Rapel” sub-region
Cab. Sauv is most famous
What are the main regions, grapes, and climates of Curico Valley?
Carignan
What are the main regions, grapes, and climates of Maule Valley?
Carignan
What are the 3 winemaking regions of the Aconcagua region?
Aconcagua Valley
Casablanca Valley
San Antonio Valley
Casablanca Valley and San Antonio Valley are very similar
What are the main regions, grapes, and climates of Aconcagua Valley?
Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Carmenere
Steep-sided valley cooled by ocean and Andes
valley floor is some of warmest in Chile
Cab. Sauv is most famous
What are the main regions, grapes, and climates of Casablanca Valley?
Syrah, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay
Noticeably cooler due to morning fog and afternoon sea breezes
Syrah is most famous
What are the main regions, grapes, and climates of San Antonio Valley?
Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah
Noticeably cooler due to morning fog and afternoon sea breezes
Includes Leyda Valley zone
Sauv Blanc is most famous
What are the 3 winemaking regions of the Coquimbo region?
Elqui Valley
Limari Valley
Choapa Valley
Northern most region, small quantity but high quality
All 3 valleys have good sun and cooling from sea breeze and mountain air
Lack of water is an issue (irrigation is expensive)
What are the main regions, grapes, and climates of Elqui Valley?
Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah
What are the main regions, grapes, and climates of Limari Valley?
Chardonnay
What are the 3 winemaking regions of the Southern region?
Itata Valley
Bio Bio
Malleco
All 3 are sub-regions
Southern most region
Cooler and wetter the further south you go
Most wine is consumed locally
What are the main regions, grapes, and climates of Itata Valley?
Pais, Muscat of Alexandria
What are the main regions, grapes, and climates of Bio Bio?
Pais, Muscat of Alexandria, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
What are the main regions, grapes, and climates of Malleco?
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Describe Chilean wine laws.
Vineyards are divided into DOs.
Region > sub-region > zone
The following labeling terms show where grapes are from.
Costa: coastal area
Entre Cordilleras: area between mountain ranges
Andes: mountain area
Describe the climate and grape growing of Chile.
Defined by 4 geographical features:
- Pacific Ocean - Andes Mountains
- Coastal mountain ranges - Valleys between mountains
Warm mediterranean climate
Dry, sunny growing season = no fungus
Irrigation is required and drought can be an issue
El nino: rainfall dramatically increases
La nina: drought can occur
Humboldt Current (Antartica), ocean breezes, fog, cold air descends from mountains overnight
What are the main black grape varieties of Chile?
Cabernet Sauvignon: Most planted of either color
Variety of styles, often blended, often have herbal note
Merlot: Variety of styles
Carmenere: Late ripening, good in warm/sunny sites
Syrah: Comes in both styles
Pinot Noir: Needs cooler locations
What are the main white grape varieties of Chile?
Sauvignon Blanc: Does best in cooler sites
High acid, intense apple, citrus, tropical fruit, sometimes herbs
Can have lees stirring and oak
Chardonnay: Variety of styles
Muscat of Alexandria: Used for grape brandy Pisco
Aromatic varieties (Viognier, Gewurz., Riesling)
