Chile

Question 1

What is the general climate of Chile?

Answer 1

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

Question 2

What is unique about Chile’s geography and its relative vineyard area?

Answer 2

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.

Question 3

What is the climate in the southern Regions of Chile ?

Answer 3

conditions become cooler and wetter

Question 4

What two Pacific Ocean climate drivers can influence Chile’s weather?

Answer 4

El Niño: increases rainfall and humidity
La Niña: can increase drought conditions

Question 5

Is irrigation allowed in Chile?

Answer 5

Yes, but water for irrigation is diminishing.

Question 6

What moderate temperatures on the western and eastern edges of vineyard areas in Chile?

Answer 6

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.

Question 7

What are the four main geographic features that influence Chile’s wine growing areas?

Answer 7

Andes Mountains
Coastal Mountains
Pacific Ocean
Central Valley

Question 8

Is sustainable and organic grape growing possible in Chile?

Answer 8

Yes, due to the lack of humidity in certain region

Question 9

What are the black grape varieties grown in Chile ?

Answer 9

• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Merlot
• Carmenère
• Syrah
• Pinot Noir

Question 10

What are the white varieties grown in Chile ?

Answer 10

• Sauvignon Blanc
• Chardonnay

Muscat of Alexandria, Viognier, Riesling, Gewurztraminer

Question 11

Which of Black or White grapes constitute the majority of plantings in Chile?

Answer 11

Black grape varieties

Question 12

What is the most planted grape in chile ?

Answer 12

Cabernet Sauvignon

Question 13

Describe the characteristics of Cabernet Sauvignon of Chile

Answer 13

Variety of style
From simple and fruity to full-bodied premium
Ripe black fruit aromas , often with herbaceous character,
Frequently blended

Question 14

Describe the characteristics of Merlot of Chile

Answer 14

Inexpensive
modium bodied and fruity
but complex versions can be found

Question 15

Describe the characteristics of Carmenère of Chile

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Describe the characteristics of Syrah of Chile

Answer 16

variety of styles
Lighter body and peppery notes in Elqui valley
Intense flavours of black fruit in warm regions as Colchagua Valley

Question 17

Describe the characteristics of Pinot noir of Chile

Answer 17

Considerable pormise in cooler locations such as San Antonio and Casablanca

Question 18

Explain Chile wine laws

Answer 18

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.

Question 19

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?

Answer 19

Costa: area closest to the coast
Entre Cordilleras: area located between the Andes and the Coastal Range
Andes: area nearest the Andes

Question 20

What other labelling terms are recognized by Chilean law ?

Answer 20

Reserva, reserva Especial, Reserva Privada, Gran Reserva.
Carry little meaning but communicate the quality levels within a producer’s portfolio of wine

Question 21

Which white grapes dominate Chile?

Answer 21

• Sauvignon Blanc (cooler area)
• Chardonnay

Question 22

What area is best for Sauvignon Blanc in Chile?
Describe the quality of the wine

Answer 22

Casablanca
San Antonio Valleys

High acidity and intense fruit
Ripe appel, citrus and tropical flavours, herbaceous notes

Some benefits from lees stirring and oak

Question 23

Where area is best for Chardonnay in Chile?
Describe the quality of the wine

Answer 23

Limari valley

Meidum to high acidity, citrus and stone fruit
Lees stirring and oack fermentation is used

Question 24

What role does Muscat of Alexandria play in Chile?

Answer 24

Muscat of Alexandria is the 3rd most planted white grape and it is mostly used for Pisco production, not wine.

Question 25

Name the sub regions of Coquimbo Region? What grape are they known for ?

Answer 25

**Elqui Valley** - Sauvignon Blanc **Limarí Valley** - Chardonnay Choapa Valley Very small areas but high quality

Question 26

What region lies south of the Atacama Desert?

Answer 26

Coquimbo Region

Question 27

The biggest challenge in Coquimbo region is:

Answer 27

Lack of water, not many water for irrigation either

Question 28

What are the 3 subregions of Aconcagua Region?

Answer 28

From north to south: **Aconcagua Valley** **Casablanca Valley** **San Antonio Valley**

Question 29

what is the climtate of Aconcagua Valley ?

Answer 29

Warmest in Chile, between coast range and Andes

Question 30

name and describe the black grape varieties grown in Chile

Answer 30

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

Question 31

How do Casablanca Valley and San Antonio Valley differ from Aconcagua Valley?

Answer 31

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

Question 32

Which particularly cool sub-region of Aconcagua Valley is best for Sauvignon Blanc ?

Answer 32

**Leyda Valley** Chardonnay is also widely planted

Question 33

Q What are the 4 subregions of the Central Valley?

Answer 33

From north to south: **Maipo Valley** **Rapel Valley** - **Cachapoal Valley** and **Colchagua Valley** **Curicó Valley** **Maule Valley**

Question 34

Maipo is just south of which city in Chile?

Answer 34

Santiago, the capital.

Question 35

Why is Maipo Valley known for making prestige Cabernet Sauvignon?

Answer 35

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.

Question 36

What are the two zones of Rapel Valley? Explain their characteristics

Answer 36

**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 -

Question 37

The wines from Curicó and Maule Valleys are known for being expensive or inexpensive?

Answer 37

Inexpensive From Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, merlot, Chardonnay

Question 38

What grape variety is a rising star in the Maule Valley?

Answer 38

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.

Question 39

What are the 3 subregions of the Southern Region?

Answer 39

From north to south: Itata Valley Bío Bío Valley Malleco Valley (smallest) Becomes coller and wetter further South

Question 40

What are the 2 traditional grape varieties grown in Itata Valley and Bío Bío Valley?

Answer 40

País Muscat of Alexandria In itata producers are making distinctive wines from old bush

Question 41

What are some promising varieties grown in Bío Bío Valleys?

Answer 41

Gewurztraminer Viognier Riesling Pinot Noir Chardonnay

Question 42

What is the smallest southerly sub-region of chile attraction premium producers?

Answer 42

Malleco, for chardonnay and pinot noir