Chile Flashcards
Chile independence from Spain affected wine how?
Chileans free to exploit their mineral resources => ploughed profits into vineyards
Silvestre Ochagavia Echazarreta did what?
Imported vines from Bordeaux to Chile
Pais is known as what in Argentina?
Criolla Chica
Early, unsophisticated Chilean wines made in an oxidative style from what varieties?
Pais
Muscat
What forms Chile’s borders?
North: Atacama Desert
East: Andes
West: Pacific Ocean
South: glaciers of Patagonia
Chile vineyard area stretches from which Valley in north to which valley in south?
Elqui Valley (north) Malleco Valley (south)
(though some vineyards now in Atacama Desert, further north)
Climate in Chile
Warm Mediterranean
Long dry and sunny growing season
Does Chile’s climate vary from north to south?
No not really
Warm Mediterannean throughout
Becomes wetter further south
Comment on rain in Chile?
It varies
North and inland -> drier (Elqui gets 80mm)
South -> rainier (Bio Bio gets 1,200mm)
What does El Nino do to Chile?
Occurs every 2-10 years
Higher than average rain
What does LA Nina do to Chile?
Much lower rain than average
Drought
Cooling influences in Chile. So what?
Pacific Ocean and Andes
=> Lengthen the growing season
=> retain acidity and aromas
Chile: Significant stretch of low mountains (300-800m) along coast. So what?
barrier against Ocean influence
What does the Humbolt Current do to Chile?
Flows up from Antartica bringing cold water and cool air
Warm air rises from land during day, coola it sucked inland
Also morning fog => moderates temperatures, raises humidity
Chile: soils in river valleys
fertile, alluvial
clay, sand, silt and gravel
Chile: soils on slopes
less fertile than river valleys
more gravel, sand and silt
Chile: soils in Andes
volcanic, mainly granite
Is there much limestone in Chile?
No, most f it in Limaryi Valley
Land under vine in Chile
137,000ha
Account for big fluctuations in Chile production?
effect of El Nino
Dry and sunny conditions in Chile mean what?
Ideal for producing healthy, fully ripe grapes
Intense sun => high tannins, anthocyanins
fungal risk low
Comment on sustainable practice in Chile
generally fungal risk is low, little need to spray
considerable takeup of organic etc
BUT coastal areas => humidity => spraying
What % of Chilean vineyards are irrigated? Why?
85%
Low rainfall
Parts of Chile that AREN’T irrigated?
85% of vineyards are irrigated
but
Itata, Bio Bio and Maule are not
=> enough rainfall, old vines w/ deep roots can survive drought
Source of pure water for irrigation in Chile?
Melting snow from the Andes (and river valleys)
Impact of climate change on irrigation water in Chile?
Rising temepratures => less snow on Andes => less water available for irrigation
Comment on forest fires in Chile
Big hazard
Commercial forestry a big industry!
Large plantations of pine/euclapytus => big fire threat
Not usually a direct issue for vineyards but can cause smoke taint
Is phylloxera present in Chile? So what?
No => geographical barriers and strict quarantine rules
Lots of old undrafted vines, eg bush vines of Pais, Msucat, Carignan and Cinsault
Phylloxera not present in Chile but grafted vines common for new vineayrds. Why?
Protect against nematodes
Proportion of machine harvest high or low in Chile?
Machines used for flat Central Valley (hard to get labour also)
but overall machine harvesting is not common
More black or white grapes in Chile?
3/4s black!
Most widely planted grape in Chile?
Cabernet Sauvignon
Most planted black and white grape in Chile?
Cabernet Sauvignon
Sauvignon Blanc
Chile: What has happened to Pais since the 1990s?
WAS most common grape in Chile until 1990s
=> inexpensive domestic wine
BUT
75% of Pais vines pulled up since 1980s (shift to int’l varieties)
NOW
A small revival => good quality wines from old vines (Maule, Itata, Bio Bio)
What was “Chilean Merlot”
misidentified Carmenere (discovered in 1994)
Waht grapes did Chileans misidentify as Sauvignon Blanc?
Sauvignonasse
Sauvignon Gris
Mid-price/premium Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon: style
Full body High, ripe tannin Pronounced dark fruit: blackcurrant Herbaceous mint, eucalyptus New oak = toast, spice
Chile; best sites for Cabernet SAuvignon
traditionally near Andes
poorer soils than valley floor => control vigour
diurnal range => retain acid, slow ripening
Inexpensive Chilean Cabernet SAuvignon typically grown where?
Central Valley
Inexpensive Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon: style
Some dark fruit, herbaceous
Less structure, complexity, intensity
Inexpensive Chilean Merlot: style
Soft tannins
Medium body
Dark fruit
Popular on export markets!
Chilean Carmenere style
Full body
High tanin
Medium acid
Ripe blackberry, herbaceous (bell pepper, eucalyptus), spice, coffee, dark choc
Why is site selection important for Carmenere?
Ripens 2-3 weeks after Merlot
Needs warm (but not hot) sunny sites
otherwise: overly herbaceous, harsh tannin
if too ripe: overly alcoholic
Syrah from Colchagua Valley (warmer climate) style
Ful body
Intense, ripe black fruit
Chile: cooler climate Syrah style? (from eg San Antonio, Casablanca, Limari, Elqui)
High acid
Fresh black fruit
Pepper and clove
Chilean Pinot Noir best in cool climate areas like ___ and ___
Casablanca
San Antonio
Chilean Pinot Noir style
Red fruit, herbal
Medium to high alcohol
Chile’s most planted white grape
SAuvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc best in warmer or cooler areas of Chile?
Best in cooler areas
eg Limari, Casablanca, San Antonio
High acid, citrus to tropical, mineral, herbaceous
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc style
High acid
Citrus to tropical flavours
Wet stones, herbaceous
Some lees contact/oak ageing
Central Valley, Chile, makes what style of Sauvignon Blanc?
Good quality, inexpensive
Chilean Chardonnay best from what kind of climate? eg
Cool, coastal areas
eg Limari
Limari Chardonnay style
medium (+) to high acid
citrus and stone fruit
Chile’s 6 main “regional” DOs
Atacama Coquimbo Aoncagua Central Valley Southern Austral
Hierarchy/taxonomy of Chilean vineyard areas
REGION eg Central Valley
SUB-REGION eg Rapel Valley
ZONE eg Colchagua
AREA eg Apalta
Apalta (an area) is part of what zone?
Colchagua
Three designations for Chilean valleys (E-W)
Costa (coastal influence)
Entre Cordilleras (between coast and Andes)
Andes (influenced by mountains)
Can be used on labels, but producers slow to adopt this system
Chile: Significance of labelling terms “Superior”, “Reserva”, “Reserva Especial”, “Reserva Privada” and “Gran Reserva”?
Legally recognised but very little meaning (higher min alcohol levels)
Grape % requirement to qualify for DO status in Chile?
75% from that DO
OR - 85% if exported to EU
Chile’s four main wine-producing regions from north to south
Coquimbo
Aconcagua
Central Valley
Southern
Coquimbo region: three DOs
Elqui
Limari
Choapa
Elqui, Limari and Choapa are DOs in which Chilean region?
Coquimbo (furthest north)
Altitude in Coquimbo is low. So what?
Elqui Valley is around 30 degrees south
Summer temperatures high, sunlight is intense
Cooling influence of mountains and Pacific are crucial (delay fruit ripening, give intense flavours and fresh acidity -> but alcohol is high)
What does the Humboldt Current bring to Coquimbo Region?
Fogs and coolinh breezes
Doesn’t bring rain though -> Coquimbo on edge of Atacama Desert (World’s driest)
Irrigation essential
Coquimbo located at edge of Atacama Desert. So what?
World’s driest desert
Little or no rainfall
Irrigation essential, but less water available (warmer climate less snow) => threat to region’s future as a wine region despite growing reputation
Why is Coquimbo Region focused on small production, premium wine?
Difficult growing conditions
Hard area to access (coastal ranges and Andes merge)
Chile’s northernmost wine region?
Elqui Valley (part of Coquimbo Region)
Elqui gets morning fog further inland than elsewhere. So what?
Syrah and Sauv Blanc do well in fog-affected area
Cooling influence => high acidity, fresh fruit flavours
Chile’s highest vineyards are located where? At what altitude?
Elqui Valley (part of Coquimbo Region) 2,200m
Limari has calcareous soils (Rare in Chile). So what?
they retain mositure
useful in desert-like conditions and drought years!
Most planted grape in Limari?
Chardonnay
Style(s) of Limari Chardonnay
Full range of styles
a) light body, high acid (coastal end)
b) riper, fruitier (further inland)
Grapes grown in Limari
Chardonnay (#1)
Pinot Noir
Syrah
Warmer part in east: Bordeaux grapes
Three important sub-regions of Aconcagua Region?
Aconcagua Valley
San Antonio Valley
Casablanca Valley
Central part of Aconcagua Valley (warm and dry) makes what kind of wine?
Ripe, full-bodied reds
High alcohol and high tannin
Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot
Syrah and Carmenere
Aconcagua Valley known for ripe, full-bodied reds. To make wines with lower alcohol etc, what are growers doing?
Move away from warm, dry valley floor
Cooler sites in easter and western ends of the valley
What is Aconcagua Costa?
Coastal part of Aconcagua Valley
Morning fog and breeze => fresh white wines, Sauv and Chard; Pinot noir and cool-climate SYrah
What is Aconcagua Andes?
eastern, Andes-influenced part of Aconcagua Valley
1,000m
sunny, warm days; cold nights (diurnal range)
red wines with ripe fruit and high acid
Where is Casablanca Valley?
Sub-region south of Aconcagua Valley (part of Aconcagua Region)
Climate in Casablanca Valley
one of Chile’s coolest regions
but it varies: westerly, low-lying areas are coolest
cold nights, threat of spring frost
Casablanca Valley known for what kind of wines?
Whiet winse particularly Sauv Blanc and Chard
Also high-quality Pinot Noir, Syrah
Flagship grape in San Antonio, Chile?
Sauvignon Blanc
San Antonio is a sub-region of which Chilean region?
Aconcagua Region
Where is Leyda Valley?
It’s a zone located within the San Antonio sub-region (part of Aconcagua Region)
Why is Leyda Valley favourable for ripening grapes and retaining acid?
It’s near the coast
Foggy mornings, cool breezes and bright afternoon sun
Most Chilean wine comes from what region?
Central Valley
What makes Chile’s Central Valley suitable for inexpensive reds?
Coastal range shelters it from maritime influence
Warm, fertile, well-irrigated plains
Ripe, fruity inexpensive reds
Is Chile’s Central Valley only for inexpensive wines?
NO
Lots of higher end producers and sub-regions etc
Is “Central Valley” a common labelling term in Chile? Why?
Not really, only for inexpensive wines blended from multiple sub-regions
There are lots of prestigious sub-regions, zones etc to use on labels instead
4 Sub-regions of Central Valley, Chile
Maipo Valley
Rapel Valley
Curico Valley
Maule Valley
Where is Maipo Valley located?
Northnmost sub-region of Chile’s Central Valley Region
Surrounds city of Santiago
Vinegrowing in Maipo Valley dates back to when?
1500s
around the time of Santiago being established
Maipo Valley best known for black or white grapes? Which one in particular?
Domainted by black grapes
Cabernet Sauvignon the signature
Also: Carmenere, Syrah, inexpensive Merlot
Maipo Valley Cabernet Sauvignon style
High, soft tannins
Intense cassis, mint
What is Alto Maipo?
Area in Maipo Valley (containing Puento Alto and Pirque) known for super-preium wines
Rapel Valley divided into two zones, what are they?
Cachapoal Valley
Colchagua Valley
Rapel Valley not often seen on labels? Why?
It’s divided into two zones: Cachapoal and Colchagua
What/where is Peumo?
Prestigious part of Cachapoal Valley (itself part of Rapel Valley, which is part of Central Valley)
Peumo known for what kind of wine?
Full-bodied, concentrated Carmenere
Apalta is located within what zone?
It’s prt of Colchagua Valley (itself part of Rapel Valley, part of Central Valley)
Cachapoal Valley and Colchagua Valley are part of what sub-region?
Part of Rapel Valley (Central Valley)
Example of a hilly area in central part of Colchagua Valley that can make premium/super-premium wines?
Apalta
Signifciant producer in Colcaghua Valley?
Clos Apalta
Why is Apalta a good zone for premium wine?
South-facing amphitheatre with cool breezes; south-facing slopes slow grape ripening
Poor soils reduce vigour
Curico Valley known for what kind fo wine?
Inexpensive, high-volume reds
Warm fertile lands
Which Central Valley sub-region has most plantings of all in Chile?
Maule Valley
Maule Valley increasingly known for quality wines. Why?
Dry-framed vineyards and old vines
Maule has significant stocks of old bush vines of which two grape varieties? And how old?
Pais and Msucat of Alexandria (among others)
100-200 years old
Maule Valley: good-quality Pais style?
Pale colour Medium body Medium acid Strawberry and raspberry, spicy herbal Generally low or medium (-) tannins, but can be roguh
Pais can have rough tannins (albeit low or medium (-)). So what?
Gentle extraction and carbonic maceration used to soften ‘em
Which Chilean sub-region has the msot Carignan?
Maule
old bush vines dating to 1940s
Chile: what is VIGNO?
self-regulating growers’ association promoting old vine,dry farmed Carignan
from Cauquenes area (Maule Valley)
Chilean Carignan style
Cauquenes area, Maule Valley
Raspberry, cherry, black plu, spicy
Medium (+) to high acid
Medium (+) to high tannin
Three sub-regions within Chile’s Southern Region?
Itata Valley
Bio Bio Valley
Malleco Valley
Why is Chile’s Southern Region cooler and wetter than rest of the country?
Coastal hills diminish as you go south
More rain = Bio Bio gets 1,000mm
Itata Valley historically known for what kind of production?
Very cheap grapes for blending
But now: a revival, quality producers
Bush vines account for what % of Itata Valley vineyards?
75%
Mostly Muscat of Alexandria and Pais
Old vine Cinsaut in Itata Valley: style?
Medium alcohol
Fresh acid
Red and black fruits, liquorice, saline
Bio Bio is seeing more interest in what grapes?
Elegant aromatic whites
Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Gewurztraminer
Chile’s most southerly wine (sub)region?
Malleco Valley (part of SOuthern Region)
Chile exports about what % of its production?
70%
Chile has FTAs with what countries?
China and South Korea, notably
Chile’s largest export market
China (there is an FTA between them)
Chilean wine is dominated by which four companies?
Concha y Toro
Santa Rita
Santa Carolina
San Pedro
together: 80% of production
Foreign (wine) investors in Chile?
Torres
Baron Philippe de Rothschild
Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite)
Jackson Family Wines
What is MOVI?
Chilean association of very small producers
