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
Hazard in Casablanca and why
Spring/fall frost
Not near enough to pacific to moderate frost
Undulating hills in this Aconcagua DO offer a range of stylistic capabilities despite heavy Pacific influence
San Antonio
Sub zone in San Antonio
Leyda Valley
Main grapes of Casablanca
Sauvignon blanc,chard, pn
Main grapes of San Antonio
SB, Chard, PN, Syrah
What makes Central Valley Chile the ideal location for producing ripe, fruity, inexpensive red wines?
Coastal ranges shelter from Pacific influences, warm climate, fertile soils, easily irrigated plains, easily mechanized topography
4 major sub regions of Central Valley
Maipo Valley
Rapel Valley - Cachapoal and Colchagua
Curico Valley
Maule Valley
Why are growing conditions warm and sunny in Maipo Valley?
Coastal ranges shelter from maritime influences
What grapes is Maipo known for?
Cab Sauv, Carm, Syrah
What are the high elevation vineyards of Maipo called and name the sub regions. What type of wine is produced?
Alto Maipo
Puente Alto and Pirque
V good to outstanding- fresh/elegant Bordeaux blends
Warmer of the two sub areas of Rapel Valley
Cachapoal - coastal ranges stop maritime influences
Rapel valley sub divisions
Colchagua and Cachapoal Valleys
Apalta topography
South facing amphitheater that captures cool air from west to slow ripening on south facing slopes of poor soils that reduce vigor
Cab, Syrah, Carm
Maule Valley vinification reputation
High volume inexpensive but changing
100-200 year old vines of Pais and Muscat of Alexandria can be found here
Maule Valley
How is dry farming possible in Maule
Most of rain falls in winter, vines are old with deep roots, climate is cooler than Curico
What sub region in Maule is known for old vine Carignan
Cauquenes
Sub regions of Southern Region in Chile?
N to S
Itata
Bio Bio
Malleco
Why is the climate cooler and wetter in southern regions?
The coastal range diminish offering less protection from Pacific
Why are leading producers looking to Itata?
Climate change and water shortages
Pais synonyms
Criolla Chica
Mission
Itata is known for what varietals
Old bush vines of Muscat of Alexandria, Pais, and Cinsault
What modern varietals are succeeding in Bio Bio?
Aromatic whites - SB, Riesling, Gewurz
Malleco needs what type of variety?
Early ripening due to cool climate
Chard, SB, PN
Route to market for Chilean wine
70% exported
Why is wines of Chile focused on promoting Chile as a producer of mid priced premium wine?
Historically Chile is known for large volumes of inexpensive wines
Why is the focus on exports so important for Chile?
Domestic consumption is low
Concha y toro, Santa Rita, Santa Carolina, and San Pedro companies are responsible for what % of Chiles production?
80%
What makes Chile attractive/unattractive to foreign investors?
Cheap land and low operating costs
High cost of importing materials and equipment
Chile has free trade agreements with what top export markets?
China and South Korea
What top export market has reduced import tariffs with Chile?
Japan
Which top export market benefits from the MERCOSUR free trade agreement?
Brazil
Affect of El Nino in Chile
Higher than avg rainfall
Every 2-10 years
Effect of La Niña in Chile
Lower rainfall/drought