Chile Flashcards
what are 4 geographical features of chile
west - pacific ocean
inland - coastal mountains
east - andes
south - large depression (central valley)
what is the general climate in chile?
warm mediterranean with a dry sunny growing season
what are some challenges growers face?
shortfall of rainwater and short supply for irrigation
el niño and la niña
what is el niño VS la niña
el niño - excess rainfall
la niña - drought
what are some moderating factors of chile?
the cold humboldt current blowing cold air from antarctica along the coast
cold overnight air effect from andes at the foothills
areas very close to the river in the valleys inland experience fog from?
humboldt current
why is the area between the mountain ranges easier to cultivate?
the land is more sheltered and flat
what is Chiles GI system and what are the 4 principal regions?
DO - demoninaciones de origen
coquimbo
aconcugua
central valley
southern region
in the GI scheme how is it divided?
DO
REGION
SUBREGION
ZONE
what is the classification system that was introduced to Chile in 2012 and what are the terms?
categorizes sites based on their latitude
Costa - coastal areas
Enter Cordilleras - between mountains
Andes - mountain areas
why do the terms Entre Cordillers and Andes differ from Costa
they are complimentary terms that can be added by choice in addition to DO
Other labeling terms in Chile that can communicate quality?
riserva
riserva especial
riserva privado
gran riserva
what is the most planted grap variety in chile?
Cab Sauv
what are the 2 styles of merlot being made in Chile?
inexpensive fruity
fuller and more complex
which black variety is late ripening and found in the warmest sites of Chile often expressing full body and high tannin
carmenere
how does syrah vary from cooler to warmer sites in Chile?
cooler - leaner and more peppery
hotter - greater intensity of black fruit and body
which grape is showing promise in san antonia and casablanca valleys?
pinot noir
what are the 2 most dominant white varieties in chile?
chardonnay and sauvignon blanc
an excellent quality sauvignon blanc from casablanca or dan antonio would produce flavour of?
high acidity, ripe apple, citrus, tropical fruit sometimes herbaceous
some exaples use lee stirring and oak for richness and texture
what are the smaller plantings of white varieties?
muscat of alexandria
viogner
riesling
gewurtztraminer
what are the 3 subregions of coquimbo?
Elqui
Limari
Choapa
what is the biggest challenge growers face in coquimbo?
lack of water for irrigation - expensive
what does Elqui valley hold a reputation for?
syrah and sauvignon blanc
where is producing some of Chiles best chardonnay’s?
Limari valley
what are the sub regions and one zone of Aconcagua?
aconcugua valley
casablanca
san antonio - leyda valley
where is some of the warmest growing conditions in Chile?
the valley floor between the costal and andes mountains in aconcugua
which warm valley traditionally provided rich ripe red fruit high alc tannic cabs, syrahs, and carmenere?
Aconcugua Valley
what are wine makers doing to the reds in aconcugua valley?
reducing alcohol finding more freshness and complex flavour - spreading plantings onto the slopes or towards the coast
what makes casablanca and san antonio valleys cooler?
the proximity to the pacific ocean and coastal mountains providing morning fishing and afternoon wind
which regions produce high quality sauvignon blanc and chardonnay
Casablanca and San antonio valley
particularly leyda valley
which black grapes are being grown with success in Casablanca and San antonio? name a characteristic of each
pinot noir - herbaceous red fruit
syrah - structured
what are the 4 subregions of centra valley?
Maipo
Rappel
Curico
Cachapoal
what are the 2 sub regions of Rappel and how do they differ?
Cacapoal - warm
Colchauga - larger with more ocean influences with plantings on slopes and some high quality wines from cooler sites
both growing Syrah Carmenere and Cab Sauv
describe the growing conditions of Maipo Valley
surrounded by mountains, little coastal influence
premium sites are located in the foothills cooled by the descending air leading to elegance and structure
A region producing a minty cab sauv?
Maipo
in colchuaga it becomes cooler the further west you go, what is being produced here?
high quality whites
what are the Curico and Maule Valley sub regions known for producing and how do the vineyards differ?
inexpensive fruit for red and white blends
Maule is cooler and retains higher acidity, helpful for blending
Carignan from ancient low yielding bush vines that are producing intensely concentrated wine are in?
Curico Valley
Bio Bio, Itata and Malleco and cooler and wetter and have significant plantings of pais and muscat mostly being consumed locally but there is some promise for which grapes?
Pinot noir
chardonnay
and aromatic varieties
