Chile Flashcards
Briefly describe what happened before and after 1980
- Before 1980s:
- Majority of cheap wine consumed domestically
- Half of vineyards pulled
- After 1980s:
- Shift to quality wines for export market
- Large areas replanted
Climate
What is the general climate and tendencies towards north and south?
- Mostly warm, Mediterranean
- Long, dry and sunny growing season
- Becomes cooler and wetter further south
- Intense sunlight due to relatively low latitude
Climate
What is the annual rainfall?
- North and inland: drier (80mm in Elqui)
- South and coast: wetter (1,200mm in Bío Bío)
Climate
What weather phenomenons are there from the Pacific? What does it cause?
- El Niño: every two to ten years -> much higher rainfall
- La Niña: much lower rainfall or drought
- -> Vintage variations
Climate
What are the two major factors influencing the climate?
- Pacific Ocean and Andes
- Provide a significant cooling influence
- Lengthening the growing season and allowing the grapes to retain acidity and aromas
Climate
What are specific effects of the Pacific?
- Range of low mountains (300-800m) forms barrier against influence from the ocean
- Humboldt Current flows up from Antarctica and brings cold water and cool air
- Warm air rises from the land and cool air is sucked inland
- Morning fog moderates temps and increases humidity until it is burned away by the heat of sun
Climate
What does the coastal range and the Andes create and what does it mean for grape growing? Where do they merge?
- Create a large, dry, warm and sunny central valley -> grapes for high volumes of inexpensive wines
- Coastal range and Andes merge to the north of Santiago (in Coquimbo and Aconcagua)
Climate
Where are higher quality grapes grown?
- Where there are cooling influences
- Gaps in the coastal ranges
- Altitude or aspect
Climate
What are effects from the Andes?
- Cool mountain air descends
- High diurnal ranges
- Altitude can also moderate temps
Soil
Describe the soils in the three distinct parts
- River valleys: fertile soils, mainly alluvial
- Slopes in coastal ranges: less fertile, more gravel with sand and silt
- Slopes in Andes: less fertile, volcanic, mainly granite
Vineyard Management
What is the total area under vine?
137,000 ha
Vineyard Management
What influence does the climate in inland and coastal regions have on grape growing? (incl. diseases and organic/sustainable viticulture)
- Mostly dry and sunny:
- Healthy, fully ripe grapes with high levels of tannins and anthocyanins
- Lower diesease risk -> Sustainable and organic viticulture easy to practice
- Coastal areas:
- Fungal diseases can be an issue
Vineyard Management
Is irrigation allowed? Comment on water availability and climate change
- Widely practiced (85% of vineyards)
- Except in Itata (and Bío Bío and Maule) where vineyards can rely on rainfall (old vines with deep roots)
- Pure water from melting snow brought down from the Andes
- Climate change: higher temps and less snowfall
Vineyard Management
What is a significant hazard?
- Forest fires (from major forest plantations)
- If not directly affected, smoke taint is a problem
Vineyard Management
Comment on Phylloxera
- Phylloxera free
- -> Geographical barriers and strict quarantine rules
- -> Considerable plantings of old, ungrafted vines (mostly bush vines)
Vineyard Management
What is the common training system and how is harvest conducted?
- VSP most common
- Mostly by hand, mechanization in flat Central Valley
Grape Varieties
What is the ratio between black and white varieties?
- 75% black
- 25% white
Grape Varieties
What are the most grown varieties? (in descending order)
- Cabernet Sauvignon (by far most grown)
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Merlot
- Chardonnay
- Carmenere
- País
- Syrah
Grape Varieties
How did the plantings of varieties change from before 1990s and after?
- Before 1990s: País most planted variety, mostly for inexpensive wines
- After 1990s: mostly international varieties
Grape Varieties
What is a very current trend regarding varieties?
Trend towards greater diversity
Grape Varieties
What range of wines does Chile produce?
- Increasingly diverse
- Leading in inexpensive fruity wines
- Can also produce very good and outstanding quality wines
- Lots of experiments in winemaking
- Rosé and sweet wines also produced
Grape Varieties - Cabernet Sauvignon
What styles of wines does it produce?
- Chile’s most finest and expensive wines
- Single varietal or blended with Merlot, Carmenere or Syrah
Grape Varieties - Cabernet Sauvignon
Where are higher quality wines grown and what is the resulting style? (aromas, acidity, body, tannin, maturation)
- Sites near the Andes: poorer soils control vigor and cool nights slow down ripening
- Pronounced dark fruit, particularly blackcurrant, often with a herbaceous (mint or eucalyptus) character
- Retained acidity
- Full body
- High, but ripe tannins
- Maturation in at least a proportion of new oak (toasty, spicy notes)
Grape Varieties - Cabernet Sauvignon
Where are large amounts of inexpensive, fruity wines grown and what is the resulting style compared to higher quality wines?
- Flatter parts of the Central Valley
- Dark fruit and herbal notes
- Less structure, complexity and intensity
Grape Varieties - Merlot
What are different styles of Merlot produced? Where are they popular?
- Inexpensive Merlot with dark fruit, medium body and soft tannins, mainly from the Central Valley
- -> Great on export markets and for blends
- More complex examples with riper fruit and fuller body are achieved with lower yields
Grape Varieties - Carmenere
How is it used?
- Often in blends
- Increasingly as single varietal wine
Grape Varieties - Carmenere
Describe the typical style of a good to very good quality example (aromas, acidity, body, tannin)
- Ripe black fruit (blackberry), herbaceous characteristics (bell pepper, eucalyptus) and notes of spice, roasted coffee or dark chocolate (when oaked)
- Medium acidity
- Full body
- High tannin
Grape Varieties - Carmenere
What is important when growing this variety?
- Site selection: ripens two to three weeks later than Merlot
- Needs warm, sunny sites, otherwise overly herbaceous with harsh tannins
- If too ripe, can be overly alcoholic
Grape Varieties - Syrah
What is the trend in plantings? What is the range of styles produced? (regions, aromas, acidity, body)
- Strongly increasing
- Cooler-climate (San Antonio, Casablanca, Limarí and Elqui)
- Fresh black fruit, pepper and cloves
- Higher acidity
- Warmer-climate (Colchagua Valley)
- More intense, riper black fruit
- Fuller-body
Grape Varieties - Pinot Noir
What is the trend in plantings? What is the typical style produced? (regions, aromas, alcohol)
- Strongly increasing
- Cooler areas (Casablanca and San Antonio)
- Red fruits with herbal characters
- Medium to high alcohol
Grape Varieties - Sauvignon Blanc
What are two general areas where it is grown and what is the typical style? (aromas, acidity, quality, lees, oak)
- Cooler areas (Limarí, Casablanca and San Antonio):
- Citrus to tropical flavors with wet stones or herbaceous notes
- High acidity
- Very good quality
- Some use lees contact and oak ageing
- Central Valley:
- Large amounts of good quality, inexpensive Sauvignon Blanc
Grape Varieties - Chardonnay
What are two general areas where it is grown and what is the typical style? (aromas, acidity, quality, oak)
- Cool coastal areas (Limarí):
- Citrus and stone fruit
- Medium(+) to high acidity
- Very good quality
- Central Calley:
- Large amounts of inexpensive Chardonnay
- Ripe tropical fruit
- Both oaked or unoaked
Wine Law and Regulations
What is the hierarchy of the appellation system? (incl. examples)
- Regional DO (Denominacione de Origen) (e.g., Central Valley)
- Sub-region (e.g., Rapel Valley)
- Zone (e.g., Colchagua)
- Area (e.g., Apalta)
Wine Law and Regulations
What new set of designations was introduced in 2011? Why?
- Because diversity between east and west is much higher than north/south
- Split in 3 set:
- Costa (areas influenced by coast)
- Andes (areas influenced by mountains)
- Entre Cordilleras (areas in between)
- Labeling: e.g., Maipo Andes
Wine Law and Regulations
What requirements are there to require for DO status with respect to regional and varietal labeling and min alcohol levels
- Regional: min 75% from that region (85% if exported to EU)
- Varietal: min 75% from that variety (85% if exported to EU)
- Min 11.5% abv
Wine Law and Regulations
What are additional labeling terms regarding alcohol and oak ageing and how are they used?
- Reserva: min 12% abv
- Reserva Especial: min 12% abv
- Reserva Privada: min 12.5% abv, min 6 months in oak
- Gran Reserva: min 12.5% abv, min 6 months in oak
- Some producers use these terms to distinguish their wines, many do not use them
What are the four main wine growing regions? (from north to south)
- Coquimbo
- Aconcagua
- Central Valley
- Southern
Coquimbo
What are the three DOs?
- Elqui
- Limarí
- Choapa
Coquimbo
Describe climatic influences and their effect on grape growing
- Low latitude
- High summer temps and intense sunlight
- Cooling influence from mountains and Pacific
- Morning fog and cooling breezes through Humboldt Current
- -> delay fruit ripening and produce intense fruit, balanced by fresh acidity
- Alcohol levels can be high
Coquimbo
What is the rainfall and what does that mean for irrigation? What is a threat?
- Very little or no rainfall (down to 100mm)
- Irrigation is essential
- Lower snowfall through climate change is a threat
Coquimbo
What do the difficult growing conditions mean for the final wines?
- Small production
- Premium prices
Coquimbo - Elqui Valley
Where is it located and what are climatic influences?
- Very far north
- Region follows the River Elqui
- Lack of coastal mountains -> morning fog can reach further inland
Coquimbo - Elqui Valley
What grape varieties do well in the areas affected by fog?
- Syrah and Sauvignon Blanc
- Cooling influence leads to high acidity and fresh fruit flavors
Coquimbo - Elqui Valley
Where are more extreme vineyards located and what varieties do well?
- Highest vineyards at up to 2,200m at the eastern end of the valley
- Very intense sunlight and wide diurnal range
- Deep-colored, intensely fruit flavored and fresh Syrah wines
- Other Rhône varieties and Malbec also planted
Coquimbo - Limarí Valley
Where is the region and where are vineyards located and what are climatic influences based on the location?
- 100km south of Elqui
- Along the Limarí River
- Steep valley through the coastal mountains
- West: cooled by morning fog and cool breezes from Pacific and valley cut
- East: foothills of the Andes at 1,500m and higher -> cooling influence through altitude
Coquimbo - Limarí Valley
What is the soil and what effect does it have?
- Pockets of calcareous soils (unusual for Chile)
- Retain moisture well
- Very useful against drought
Coquimbo - Limarí Valley
What is the most planted white, what the most successful black variety? What other varieties are grown?
- Chardonnay (most planted)
- Syrah (most successful red wine)
- both in a range of styles along the valley (lighter, fresher west; fuller, riper east)
- Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Carmenere
Aconcagua
What are the three important sub-regions?
- Aconcagua Valley
- Casablanca Valley
- San Antonio Valley
Aconcagua - Aconcagua Valley
What is the difference in climate between the central part and the vineyards along the Pacific?
- Central part: hot and dry
- Pacific: Some of Chile’s coolest vineyards, with white wine production dominating
Aconcagua - Aconcagua Valley
What newly introduced distinction between vineyards becomes especially clear here?
Andes, Entre Cordilleras and Costa sub-divisions
Aconcagua - Aconcagua Valley
Describe the climate, climatic influences, and rainfall in the central part
- Warm and dry
- Moderated by afternoon breezes from the coast
- Rainfall is low (250mm)
- Irrigation is essential
Aconcagua - Aconcagua Valley
What varieties and type of wines are produced in the central part of the valley? (aromas, body, tannin, alcohol, varieties)
- Ripe fruit
- Full body
- High tannins
- High alcohol
- Mostly from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot
- Plantings of Syrah and Carmenere are increasing
Aconcagua - Aconcagua Valley
Where do producers go in the central part of the valley to produce a more elegant style? Describe the style (aromas, alcohol, price)
- Cooler sites at the eastern and western ends of the valley
- Fresher, more complex wines
- Lower alcohol
- Smaller-volume
- Mid- to premium priced
Aconcagua - Aconcagua Valley
What are climatic influences in Aconcagua Costa and what varieties are used?
- Morning fogs and ocean breezes
- Ideal for producing fresh white wines
- Particularly from Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay
- Also Pinot Noir and cool-climate style Syrah
Aconcagua - Aconcagua Valley
What are climatic influences in Aconcagua Andes and what type of wines does it produce?
- Vineyards at up to 1,000m
- Sunny and warm days
- Cold air from mountains at night
- Large diurnal range
- Red wines with pronounced ripe fruit flavors, balanced by fresh acidity
Aconcagua - Casablanca Valley
Where are vineyards located and what are the major climatic influences? What is a problem?
- Low hills to the west let cooling ocean breezes through
- Higher hills to the north and east restrict cool, humid air from escaping
- -> one of Chile’s coolest wine-producing regions
- The more west and low, the cooler the climate
- -> Spring frost can be a problem
Aconcagua - Casablanca Valley
What are the most planted varieties and what is the typical price level?
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Chardonnay
- Pinot (red berry and herbs)
- Syrah (with spicy, peppery aromas from warmer, sheltered sites)
- Mid- to premium-priced (due to small production)
Aconcagua - San Antonio Valley
Where is it located and what is the major climatic influence?
- South of Casablanca Valley
- Heavily influenced the ocean
Aconcagua - San Antonio Valley
What is the most important variety? Describe its characteristics (aromas, acidity, body) and name 3 other varieties grown.
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Citrus fruit, herbaceous notes, sometimes wet stones
- High acidity
- Medium body
- Other varieties
- Pinot Noir, Syrah and Chardonnay
Aconcagua - Leyda Valley
Where is it located, what is special about this region (incl. influences on grape growing), and what are the main varieties?
- Within San Antonio Valley
- Combination of foggy mornings, cool breezes and bright afternoon sunshine
- Grapes ripen while retaining acidity
- Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah
Central Valley
Describe the climatic influences, soil, and what types of wines are generally produced here
- Largely sheltered from maritime influences by the coastal ranges
- Grapes are on warm, fertile, well-irrigated plains
- Perfect for producing ripe, fruity, inexpensive red wines (successful on export market)
Central Valley
Where do producers go to get more complex and elegant wines? What effect does it have on the price?
- Valley sides, either Andean foothills or close to the Pacific
- Only suitable for small production, so wines reach premium or even super-premium levels
Central Valley
What are the four sub-regions?
- Maipo Valley
- Rapel Valley
- Curicó Valley
- Maule Valley
Central Valley - Maipo Valley
What is the climate and climatic influences?
- Sheltered from maritime influence by coastal ranges
- Warm and sunny growing conditions
Central Valley - Maipo Valley
What grape variety is the region known for and what is the typical style? (intensity, aromas, tannins, quality, price)
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Intense aromas of cassis and often a minty character
- High but soft tannins
- Good to very good quality
- Inexpensive to mid-priced
Central Valley - Maipo Valley
What other grapes are used to produce high-quality wines? What varieties are used for inexpensive wines?
- Very-good quality
- Carmenere
- Syrah
- Inexpensive
- Merlot
Central Valley - Maipo Valley
Where are producers increasingly planting vineyards? Describe the altitude and climatic influences. What varieties and in what style are typically grown? (quality and price)
- Vineyards increasingly at high altitude (up to 1,000m)
- At the eastern end of the valley (called “Alto Maipo”)
- Cool nights and high diurnal range
- Fresher, more elegant styles of wine, mainly Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux-style blends
- Very good and outstanding quality wines for super-premium prices
Central Valley - Rapel Valley
Why is the name rarely used and what are the two sub-zones?
- Because it is sub-divided into two sub-zones
- Cachapoal Valley
- Colchagua Valley
Central Valley - Rapel Valley - Cachapoal Valley
What are the climatic influences and soil? What types of wines from what grapes are produced?
- Warmer as largely cut off from maritime influences by the coastal ranges
- Warm, fertile valley floor
- Large volumes of inexpensive red wine
- Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere and Syrah
Central Valley - Rapel Valley - Cachapoal Valley
What wines does the area around Peumo produce?
- Very good, full-bodied, concentrated Carmenere
- Sheltered from cold weather from the Andes
- However, winds from the coast
- -> Long, warm growing season for late-ripening Carmenere
Central Valley - Rapel Valley - Cachapoal Valley
Where are highest quality Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah grown?
Cooler eastern end of the valley in the Andean foothills
Central Valley - Rapel Valley - Colchagua Valley
Describe the two very different styles of wines produced and where they are produced
- Warm, fertile central part: large volumes of inexpensive, full-bodied, fruity red wines
- Cooler and/or less fertile areas: some of Chile’s finest-quality and most expensive wines
Central Valley - Rapel Valley - Colchagua Valley
Describe two further locations of vineyards and what grapes are grown there
- Most western end (fully exposed to influence from coast): Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
- Further inland, just east of coastal ranges (warmer but influence from coastal breezes): Syrah and Carmenere
Central Valley - Curicó Valley
Where are vineyards planted? How are they supplied with water and what types of wines is the region known for? (incl. grape varieties)
- Warm, fertile soil
- Irrigation water from rivers
- Inexpensive, high-volume red wines
- Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Chardonnay
Central Valley - Maule Valley
What was it traditionally known for and what is it developing towards?
- High volumes of inexpensive wines from warm, fertile sites in the central part of the valley
- Very good quality red wines, from dry-farmed vineyards and old vines
Central Valley - Maule Valley
From what varieties do 100-200y old bush vines exist and what type of wines does the black variety produce? (color, aromas, acidity, body, tannins, quality)
- País and Muscat of Alexandria
- Pale color
- Strawberry and raspberry, often spicy or herbal notes
- Medium acidity
- Medium body
- Low to medium(-) tannins
- Good and very good quality
Central Valley - Maule Valley
What other black variety, besides País does Maule has significant old bush vine plantings of (where)? Describe the general style (aromas, acidity, tannins, quality, price)
- Carignan
- Area of Cauquenes in the south, near the coast
- Raspberry, cherry and black plum fruit, often with spicy notes
- Medium(+) to high acidity
- Medium(+) to high tannins
- Very good quality
- Premium priced
Central Valley - Maule Valley
What other varieties, besides País, Muscat of Alexandria, and Carignan, are grown?
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Merlot
- Carmenere
Southern Region
What are the three sub-regions (from north to south)
- Itata Valley
- Bío Bío Valley
- Malleco Valley
Southern Region
What are the climatic influences, rainfall, and what risks and effects for grape growing result from it?
- Fewer coastal hills further south -> influence from Pacific
- Higher latitude (36°–38°S) -> longer days for ripening
- Cooler and wetter climate (summer temps not too hot)
- Rainfall 1,000mm
- Fungal disease can be a problem
- Mitigated through ocean breezes and canopy management
Southern Region - Itata Valley
What was it previously known for and what is currently happening?
- One of Chile’s oldest wine-producing regions
- Mainly very cheap grapes for blending
- Now: many leading producers purchase or establish vineyards
Southern Region - Itata Valley
By what type of vines is it dominated (%) and what varieties are they?
- Old bush vines (> 75% if plantings)
- Muscat of Alexandria
- País (high-quality, distinctive wines; dry-farmed)
- Cinsault
Southern Region - Itata Valley
Describe the typical style of Cinsault from old bush vines (aromas, acidity, alcohol, quality)
- Red and black fruit flavors with liquorice notes and a saline edge
- Fresh acidity
- Medium alcohol
- Good to very good quality
Southern Region - Itata Valley
What other varieties (besides existing bush vines) are increasingly planted by newcomers?
- Chardonnay
- Pinot Noir
- Merlot
- Cabernet Sauvignon
Southern Region - Bío Bío Valley
Describe the two different types of vineyards and varieties grown
- Dry-farmed, old bush vines with traditional varieties:
- e.g., País
- Rise in modern vineyards with international varieties:
- Pinot Noir
- Chardonnay
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Riesling
- Gewurztraminer
Southern Region - Malleco Valley
What is the climate and what varieties are grown here?
- Cool climate
- High acidity
- Early ripening varieties
- Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir
Wine Business
How much wine does it export compared to other nations worldwide? What types of wines are mainly exported? What is the current trend?
- 4th place
- Low avg. value
- Promoting higher-priced wines for export
Wine Business
What are main export markets?
- China (trade agreement)
- USA
- Japan (trade agreement)
Wine Business
What businesses are mainly invovled in production of wine?
- 80% of production through 4 companies
- Concha y Toro, Santa Rita, Santa Carolina and San Pedro
Wine Business
What are two recent movements in businesses involved?
- Foreign investors (e.g., Mouton or Lafite Rothschild)
- Very small wineries emerge producing high quality wine
Wine Business
What is the domestic wine consumption and what does that mean for exports?
- LOW
- Roughly 20-30% of production
- Exports are VERY important
