Chile Flashcards
Climate of Chile
North:Hot and arid
Central chile : Mediterranean warm
South :cool rainy Maritime
Factors influence the climate of Chile
Humboldt current :
Moderate climate of coastline
Moderate temperature in summer
Dissipate fog
Andes Mountains :
Shadow from rain
Wind from Andes to valley reduce heat
Costal ranges :
Rain shadow
What is the Humboldt current
And what is El Niño
Cold current going up to north coast which brings cool air and mitigate temperature and reduce rainfall
El Niño
The Humboldt current get warmer and the temperature on the coast of Chile and Peru. Rainfall increase too
Topography of Chile
COSTA:
Regions close to coast/humboldt current influence
ENTRE CORDILLERAS:
plain/valley between Andes and coastal ranges / rain shadow effect
ANDES:
Close to mountains and cooled from Andes wind
Soil of Chile
Coast : granite schist slate red clay
Mountains : limestone rock basalt andesite
Chile Denominacin de Origen
4 level of DO’s
Region viticola
Subregion
Zone
Area
Wine law chile
Costa - Entre Cordilleras - Andes
85% of grapes sourced from named region on label
Region Viticola
How many, which name?
Larger type of D.O.
6 regions
Atacama
Coquimbo
Aconcagua
Valle Central
Sur
Austral
Atacama region
Marginal wine growing due of dry desert climate
Manly produce Pisco
Region de Coquimbo
•Valle de Elqui
Close to ocean and high altitude vineyards
Sauvignon Blanc - Syrah
•Valle del Limari
Calcareous red clay soil
Flat area in Coquimbo
Close to coast / Limari River ( mitigate temperature )
Morning fog
Chardonnay
Cabernet Sauvignon-Syrah-Pinot noir
•Valle del Chiapas
Southern of Coquimbo
Vines of foothills of Andes
Cabernet Sauvignon- Merlot -Carmenere
Aconcagua DO
Aconcagua river/mount ( name )
North and west of Santiago
3 sub regions :
-Valle del Aconcagua
Costa-Entre cordilleras-Andes
( from west to east extending)
Famous for Bordeaux blends wines
Cabernet Sauvignon-Syrah-Carmenere
Errazuriz- Seña
-Valle de Casablanca
west coast/ influence Humboldt current
Cool climate/wide diurnal range
Coastal fog ( Carneros- Monterey )
Spring frost
Hazard: nematodes (rootstock) due of
Sandy soil
Chardonnay -Sauvignon Blanc-Pinot Noir
-Valle de San Antonio
Costa Area
Fog /ocean influence
3sub zones
Valle de Leyda-Lo Abarca- Rosario
Sauvignon Blanc- Syrah -Pinot Noir
Casa Marin
Valle Central DO
What is the main city associated with Valle del Maipo?
Santiago
What are the three subzones of Valle del Maipo?
- Alto Maipo
- Medio Maipo
- Bajo Maipo
Which grape variety is noted as the finest in Alto Maipo?
Cabernet Sauvignon
What wine style is associated with Alto Maipo?
Bordeaux blend style
Name one winery from Alto Maipo.
- Almaviva
- Viñedo Chadwick
- Santa Rita
Describe the characteristics of Alto Maipo wines.
Tannic, concentrated and ripe, lower in acidity
How does Alto Maipo Cabernet Sauvignon compare to Napa Cabernet Sauvignon?
Similar in style to Napa Cabernet Sauvignon but with lower structure
What is a primary grape variety in Medio Maipo?
Carmenere
What climate characteristic is noted for Medio Maipo?
Warmer climate
What is a secondary variety found in Valle de Rapel?
Cabernet Sauvignon
What are the primary varieties in Valle de Colchagua?
- Carmenere
- Cabernet Sauvignon
What secondary varieties are noted in Valle de Colchagua?
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Syrah
- Merlot
What is a notable characteristic of Apalta DO?
Slightly cooler area with less sunshine
Granitic soil with good drainage
Vineyard on hillside
Carmenere -Cabernet Sauvignon-Syrah
Clos Apalta Casa Lapostolle
Alpha Montes
Valle del Curico DO
Valle central
Costa : influence ocean breeze
Focus on Sauvignon Blanc
Valley-entre cordilleras: Cabernet Sauvignon
Miguel Torres estate
Valle del Maule DO
Largest wine region
Named from river Maule
Moderate climate/ mild rainy autumn
Cabernet Sauvignon main grape
Pais indigenous grape 2#
Cabernet Franc - Carmenere - Carignan
What is VIGNO?
A geographic area in the secano interior of western Maule for growing VIGNO wines
VIGNO wines are associated with specific production rules and regulations.
What is the minimum percentage of Carignan required in a VIGNO wine?
85%
The Carignan must be dry-farmed, head-trained, and at least 30 years old.
What type of farming practices must be used for Carignan in VIGNO wines?
Dry-farmed and head-trained
Grafted Carignan also qualifies.
What is the aging requirement for VIGNO wines before release?
At least 2 years
The aging method (bottle, barrel, new or used wood) is at the producer’s discretion.
Are there any tasting panels or regulatory controls for VIGNO wines?
No
Access to the VIGNO brand is currently restricted by the association.
What is the Vignadores de Carignan currently negotiating with the Chilean government?
To name VIGNO as Chile’s first DOC appellation
This would allow access to the appellation for any producer that meets geographical, viticultural, and aging requirements.
What do the current directors of VIGNO believe the approval of a DOC will signify?
A watershed for the wine industry in Chile
This reflects the potential impact of formal recognition on the industry.
Fill in the blank: The remainder of the blend in VIGNO wines must be other old-vine, head-trained, dry-farmed fruit from _______.
Maule
Region of Sur DO
-Valle del Itata
Mediterranean climate
Alluvial soil- sand clay- Itata river
Pais - Muscat d’alexandria
- Valle de Bio-Bio
Cool climate and wind from South
Risk of frost
Main variety Pais
Pinot noir -Chardonnay- Sauvignon Blanc
-Valle del Malleco
Semi continental climate
Cool windy rainy
Pinot noir - Chardonnay
