Chile Flashcards
What is the general climate of Chile?
Overall Chile has a warm Mediterranean climate, but it can and does vary depending on latitude and altitude.
Dry sunny growing season, ensures ripeness and minimal fungal disesase
Shortfall in rainwater
What is unique about Chile’s geography and its relative vineyard area?
Chile’s vineard s range over 900km North to South and only ~100km east to west.
Chile boasts two north-to-south mountain ranges (Coastal mountain ranges and Andes), and a large, warm valley between those two ranges, known as Central Valley. The cool Pacific Ocean is to the west.
What is the climate in the southern Regions of Chile ?
conditions become cooler and wetter
What two Pacific Ocean climate drivers can influence Chile’s weather?
El Niño: increases rainfall and humidity
La Niña: can increase drought conditions
Is irrigation allowed in Chile?
Yes, but water for irrigation is diminishing.
What moderate temperatures on the western and eastern edges of vineyard areas in Chile?
The Humboldt Current is cold water current flowing up from Antarctica that chills the Pacific waters, cooling the air and affecting Chile’s low-lying areas closest to the coast and valleys on the other side of the breaks (or low points) in the Coastal Range.
In the foothills of the andes, there is cold air descending from mountains causing a large diurnal temperature range.
What are the four main geographic features that influence Chile’s wine growing areas?
Andes Mountains
Coastal Mountains
Pacific Ocean
Central Valley
Is sustainable and organic grape growing possible in Chile?
Yes, due to the lack of humidity in certain region
What are the black grape varieties grown in Chile ?
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Merlot
- Carmenère
- Syrah
- Pinot Noir
What are the white varieties grown in Chile ?
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Chardonnay
Muscat of Alexandria, Viognier, Riesling, Gewurztraminer
Which of Black or White grapes constitute the majority of plantings in Chile?
Black grape varieties
What is the most planted grape in chile ?
Cabernet Sauvignon
Describe the characteristics of Cabernet Sauvignon of Chile
Variety of style
From simple and fruity to full-bodied premium
Ripe black fruit aromas , often with herbaceous character,
Frequently blended
Describe the characteristics of Merlot of Chile
Inexpensive
modium bodied and fruity
but complex versions can be found
Describe the characteristics of Carmenère of Chile
late ripening
successfull in sunniest and warmest site
Full bodied, hjigh tannin, herbaceous
Best examples achieve balance between black fruit and herbal aromas
Seen a a specialtly of Chile
Describe the characteristics of Syrah of Chile
variety of styles
Lighter body and peppery notes in Elqui valley
Intense flavours of black fruit in warm regions as Colchagua Valley
Describe the characteristics of Pinot noir of Chile
Considerable pormise in cooler locations such as San Antonio and Casablanca
Explain Chile wine laws
GI is divided into several DO -** Denominaciones de Origen**
6 regional DO, four of it are :
- Coquinbo
- Aconcagua
- Central Valley
- Soutern Region
These regions are divided into 13 sub-regions generally following the valley running west from andes to pacific
Based on Chile’s administrative regions, but since it is really large, every su-regions contain multiple zones with uniform climate.
In 2012, a further degree of classification was introduced and producers can now classify vineyard areas by their proximity to the coast.
What are these 3 new classificiations?
Costa: area closest to the coast
Entre Cordilleras: area located between the Andes and the Coastal Range
Andes: area nearest the Andes
What other labelling terms are recognized by Chilean law ?
Reserva, reserva Especial, Reserva Privada, Gran Reserva.
Carry little meaning but communicate the quality levels within a producer’s portfolio of wine
Which white grapes dominate Chile?
- Sauvignon Blanc (cooler area)
- Chardonnay
What area is best for Sauvignon Blanc in Chile?
Describe the quality of the wine
Casablanca
San Antonio Valleys
High acidity and intense fruit
Ripe appel, citrus and tropical flavours, herbaceous notes
Some benefits from lees stirring and oak
Where area is best for Chardonnay in Chile?
Describe the quality of the wine
Limari valley
Meidum to high acidity, citrus and stone fruit
Lees stirring and oack fermentation is used
What role does Muscat of Alexandria play in Chile?
Muscat of Alexandria is the 3rd most planted white grape and it is mostly used for Pisco production, not wine.
Name the sub regions of Coquimbo Region?
What grape are they known for ?
Elqui Valley - Sauvignon Blanc
Limarí Valley - Chardonnay
Choapa Valley
Very small areas but high quality
What region lies south of the Atacama Desert?
Coquimbo Region
The biggest challenge in Coquimbo region is:
Lack of water, not many water for irrigation either
What are the 3 subregions of Aconcagua Region?
From north to south:
Aconcagua Valley
Casablanca Valley
San Antonio Valley
what is the climtate of Aconcagua Valley ?
Warmest in Chile,
between coast range and Andes
name and describe the black grape varieties grown in Chile
Cabernet Sauvignon
Syrah
Carmenère
Rich ripe fruit flavours high alcohol, high tannins
Producers look to reduce alcohol levels
Plantings are now spread more on the slopes or the coast
How do Casablanca Valley and San Antonio Valley differ from Aconcagua Valley?
Casablanca and San Antonio Valleys
- lie between the Pacific and Coastal Range
- cooler than Aconcagua Valley
- diverse soils with various aspects
- more white grapes planted
Aconcagua Valley
- lies between the Coastal Range and the Andes
- hotter than Casablanca and San Antonio Valleys
- fertile soils and flat
- more red grapes planted
Which particularly cool sub-region of Aconcagua Valley is best for Sauvignon Blanc ?
Leyda Valley
Chardonnay is also widely planted
Q
What are the 4 subregions of the Central Valley?
From north to south:
Maipo Valley
Rapel Valley - Cachapoal Valley and Colchagua Valley
Curicó Valley
Maule Valley
Maipo is just south of which city in Chile?
Santiago, the capital.
Why is Maipo Valley known for making prestige Cabernet Sauvignon?
Maipo Valley is enclosed by mountains (so no coastal influence) and its superior sites are in the Andean foothills. Along with the diurnal shift, these sites are cooled by down drafts from the Andes giving lift and elegance to the wines.
Cab Sauv from Maipo is known to have a minty character.
What are the two zones of Rapel Valley?
Explain their characteristics
Cachapoal Valley
- warm area
- Carmenère, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah in the cooler sites
Colchagua Valley
- Larger and more varied
- War and open to ocean influence
- Full bodied cabernet sauvignon , syrah and carmenère
- Region expanded and Apalta have gain reputatioin
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The wines from Curicó and Maule Valleys are known for being expensive or inexpensive?
Inexpensive
From Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, merlot, Chardonnay
What grape variety is a rising star in the Maule Valley?
Old bush vine Carignan that has been dry farmed (and forgotten about) for decades has been rediscovered in recent years by producers. These ancient vines produce rich, full-bodied Carignan.
What are the 3 subregions of the Southern Region?
From north to south:
Itata Valley
Bío Bío Valley
Malleco Valley (smallest)
Becomes coller and wetter further South
What are the 2 traditional grape varieties grown in Itata Valley and
Bío Bío Valley?
País
Muscat of Alexandria
In itata producers are making distinctive wines from old bush
What are some promising varieties grown in Bío Bío Valleys?
Gewurztraminer
Viognier
Riesling
Pinot Noir
Chardonnay
What is the smallest southerly sub-region of chile attraction premium producers?
Malleco, for chardonnay and pinot noir
