Chile Flashcards

1
Q

Climate of Chile?

A

Warm mediterranean
Long, dry, sunny growing season
Varied rainfall (El Nino, La Nina)
Humboldt Current - cooling air from Antarctica
Intense sunshine

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2
Q

Topography of Chile:

A

Atacama Desert to North
Andes to East
Patagonia glaciers to South
Alluvial, fertile soils in valleys
Gravel on coast
Granite in Andes

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3
Q

Viticulture in Chile:

A

Sustainable/organic common
Irrigation common
Forest fires are threat
No phylloxera
Hand harvesting common

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4
Q

Varietals of Chile?

A

Pais common until 1990s - 75% of vines removed
Black varieties 75%
Carmenere (identified in 1994)
Cab Sauv, Sauv Blanc, Merlot, Chard
Broad range of varietals

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5
Q

Winemaking in Chile?

A

Less new oak
Amphorae, concrete increasing
Whole bunches/gentle extraction increasing
Skin contact/lees aging for whites increasing

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6
Q

Cab Sauv in Chile?

A

Full bodied
High, ripe tannins
Pronounced black currant, dark fruit
Herbaceous, mint, eucalyptus

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7
Q

Carmenere in Chile?

A

Full bodied
High tannins
Medium acidity
Ripe black fruit/blackberry, bell pepper, eucalyptus
Spice, coffee, dark chocolate from oak
Ripens 2-3 weeks later than Merlot, needs warm sunny sites

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8
Q

Pinot Noir in Chile?

A

Grown in cooler areas - Casablanca, San Antonio
Red fruit
Herbal
Medium/High alcohol

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9
Q

Sauvignon Blanc in Chile?

A

High acid
Wet stone, herbaceous, citrus, and tropical
Grown in Limari, Casablanca, San Antonio (cooler)

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10
Q

DO’s in Chile, and year created?

A

1995
Atacama
Coquimbo
Aconcagua
Central Valley
Southern
Austral

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11
Q

Tiers of Chilean regions:

A

Region
Sub-region
Zone
Area

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12
Q

Chilean designations added in 2011?

A

Costa (coastal)
Andes (mountainous)
Entre Cordilleras (in between)

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13
Q

Labeling laws in Chile?

A

75% for varietal + region
85% for exports to EU

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14
Q

Quality designations in Chile?

A

Superior
Reserva (12% min)
Reserva Especial (12.5% min)
Reserva Privada (6mo oak)
Gran Reserva (6mo oak)
No other qualifiers

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15
Q

Describe Coquimbo:

A

DO’s: Elqui, Limari, Choapa
Little rain - irrigation essential
Hot, intense sunlight - intense fruit, high alcohol, fresh acid

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16
Q

Describe Elqui:

A

Northernmost region
River Elqui
Syrah, Sauv Blanc, Rhone varieties, Malbec
Fog-affected areas
Highest altitude vineyards

17
Q

Describe Limari:

A

Limari river
Morning fog/cool breezes
Calcareous soils hold moisture
Chardonnay

18
Q

Describe Aconcagua:

A

DO’s: Aconcagua, San Antonio, Casablanca

19
Q

Describe Aconcagua Valley:

A

Low rainfall
Ripe, full bodied reds
Cab Sauv and Merlot; Syrah and Carmenere increasing
Working to move to cooler areas

20
Q

Describe Casablanca Valley:

A

Severe spring frost
Sauv Blanc, Chardonnay
Pinot Noir, Syrah

21
Q

Describe San Antonio:

A

Heavy ocean influence
Sauv Blanc is flagship; Pinot Noir, Syrah, Chard

22
Q

Describe Leyda Valley:

A

Sub-zone of San Antonio
High quality
Foggy mornings, cool breezes, high sunshine
Sauv Blanc, Pinot Noir, Chard, Syrah

23
Q

Describe Central Valley:

A

DO’s: Maipo, Rapel, Curico, Maule
Sheltered from maritime
Warm, fertile plains
Ripe, fruity, inexpensive reds

24
Q

Describe Maipo Valley:

A

Family-owned wineries
Warm/sunny
Cab Sauv - soft tannins, cassis, mint
Vineyards increasingly being planted on higher altitude

25
Describe Rapel:
Two zones: Cachapoal Valley and Colchagua Valley
26
Describe Cachapoal Valley:
Warmer, no maritime Winds funneled from coast; Andes shelter cold Warm, fertile valley floor Peumo - high quality Carmenere Value Cab Sauv, Carmenere, Syrah
27
Describe Colchagua Valley:
Wide variety of wines, large zone Apalta is premium example South-facing slopes for quality vineyards - slow ripening Cab Sauv, Syrah, Carmenere
28
Describe Curico Valley:
Inexpensive, high volume red Warm, dry, sheltered from maritime Cab Sauv, Sauv Blanc, Merlot, Chard
29
Describe Maule Valley:
High volume, inexpensive Warm, fertile sites Some dry farmed, old vine vineyards - Pais, Carignan, and Muscat of Alexandria Higher rainfall Lighter bodied, higher acid
30
Describe Pais:
Pale color Medium bodied Med acid Low, rough tannins Strawberry, raspberry, spicy, herbal
31
What is VIGNO?
Growers association promoting old-vine, dry-farmed Carignan from Cauquenes (Maipo) Raspberry, cherry, black plum, spicy notes High acid, high tannin
32
Describe the Southern Region:
High rainfall Fungal disease a problem Known for old bush vines - Pais, Cinsault, Muscat of Alexandria DO's: Itata Valley, Bio Bio Valley, Malleco Valley
33
Describe old vine Cinsault:
Medium alcohol Fresh acidity Red and black fruit, licorice, saline
34
Export of Chilean wine?
4th larger exporter 70% of wine exported USA, Japan, UK
35
Wine business in Chile:
4 large companies produce 80% Concha y Toro, Santa Rita, Santa Carolina, San Pedro
36
Foreign investment in Chile?
Torres, Mouton Rothschild, Lafite Rothschild, JFW
37
Who promotes Chilean wine?
Movimiento de Vinateros Independientes (MOVI) Group of small producers promoting quality wine