Chile Flashcards
Chile vineyard latitudes
30-38*S
Chile overall vineyard climate
Warm Mediterranean
Why do braids in Chile have high levels of tannins and anthocyanins?
Intense sunshine from being close to equator
Three catastrophic natural hazards in Chile
Drought
Earthquakes
Forest fires fueled by commercial forestry (plantations of pine and eucalyptus fuel fire) - smoke taint
Why is Chile phylloxera free?
Natural geographical borders
- Pacific Ocean west
-Atacama desert north
-Andes east
- Patagonia glaciers south
Why might Chilean growers use grafted rootstock?
Nematodes
Drought
Most planted grapes in Chile
Can sauv
Sauv blanc
Merlot
Carmenere
Pais
Tintoreras
Syrah
Why is site selection important for Carmenere?
It ripens 2-3 weeks later than Merlot
Needs warm and sunny sites, not hot (can drive sugar up making high alcohol wine)
Chilean Syrah styles
High acid, fresh black fruit w/pepper and clove in San Antonio, Casablanca, Limari, and Elqui
Full bodied/ riper in Colchagua valley
DO labeling % grapes
75% (85% if exported to EU)
Reserva and Reserva especial requirements
12% abv
Reserva privada and gran Reserva requirements
12.5% abv and red in oak 6 mos
Main Chilean wine producing regions N to S
Coquimbo, Aconcagua, Central Valley, Southern
Coquimbo DOs
Elqui, Limari, Choapa
Natural factories in Coquimbo that temper the sunlight and high temps of low latitude
Cooling influence of mountains-cool air and altitude
Cooling influence of Pacific
Help delay fruit ripening
Natural factors influencing Elqui Valley
River valley with no coastal mountain to stop pacific means fog reaches inland. High altitude vineyards up to 2200m
Pockets of calcareous soils can be found in what Coquimbo DO? And why are they important?
Limari - water retention in desert like conditions/ drought
Elqui almost planted varieties
Syrah and SB
Limari most planted varieties?
Chardonnay
Warmer, eastern side of- cab, Merlot, Carmenere
Sub regions of Aconcagua
Aconcagua, San Antonio, Casablanca
Why has Aconcagua readily adopted the East to West sub-divisions better than other regions?
Andes, Entre Cordilleras, and Costa sub divisions showcase varying natural factors across a single region. Aconcagua costa has morning fogs and ocean breezes for fresh whites, PN, and cool Syrah. Aconcagua Andes has warm sunny days cooled at night by cold mountain air making grapes retain acid while fully ripening. Aconcagua Entre Cordilleras has warm, dry weather and makes ripe, full bodied wines w/high alc and tannin -Cab/Mer
Topographical effect on Casablanca
Low hills to west don’t deter Pacific influence, higher hills to north and east trap cool air from Pacific creating one of the coolest growing regions