Chile Flashcards
When did the history of sparkling wine begin in Chile?
19C with Valdivieso
What has happened with Valdivieso in recent years?
category has grown rapidly from a small base but still remains a minor proportion of Chile’s wine production
How are most sparkling wines made in Chile?
by the tank method, but a small amount of traditional wines also made
How are most sparkling wines made to be in Chile?
fruity, Brut and slightly sweeter,
What are the prinicple varieties used for sparkling wines in Chile?
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Sauvignon Blanc
What is the price point and quality of most sparkling wine in Chile?
most are inexpensive but some, especially in export markets, are mid priced
acceptable to very good in quality
Where are grapes grown in Chile that are to be made for sparkling wines?
areas where there are cooling influences: cooler coastal areas, the Andean foothills, or the milder regions in the south
Where are some fruit sourced from for some inexpensive sparkling wines in Chile?
Central Valley
What is a main quality of grapes that are grown in regions with cooling influences (Pacific ocean or altitude) in Chile?
high acidity
When is harvest for sparkling wine grapes in Chile?
early February until first week of March - several weeks earlier than regular harvest
What will happen with most of the cheaper sparkling wines from Chile?
they will be blended from different valleys
Where do premium sparkling wines from Chile come from?
a specific region: Casablanca, San Antonio (leyda), and Limari which are cooled by the pacific Ocean are key areas
Other areas: Curico (some parts are on the coast and cooled by the ocean), Bio Bio (southernly latitude and open influence from ocean)
Muscat and Pais are produced in Itata and Maule - where these varietals have been grown historically
Is irrigation permitted in CHile?
yes all areas have irrigation except Itata which has high rainfall than the other regions
HOw much of sparkling wine production does the tank method represent in CHile?
90%
What varietals are commonly used in tank method sparkling in Chile?
Chardonnay and Sauvignon blanc (to maintain aromatic primary fruit)
