Chile

Question 0

Primary Chilean red grape varieties:

Answer 0

Almost 75% of total plantings.

Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot
Carmenere
Syrah
Pais/Criolla

Question 1

Primary Chilean white grape varieties:

Answer 1

Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Vert
Chardonnay
Muscat of Alexandria

Question 2

Chilean climate:

Answer 2

Varies from north to south.
Marine influence in spots/cooled by Humboldt current, but Valle Central is Desert (irrigation mandatory) due to coastal range rain-shadow effect.

Question 3

Chilean Soils:

Answer 3

Mostly alluvial and volcanic

Salinity issues due to irrigation necessity

Question 4

Chile wine laws:

Answer 4

Ministry of agriculture determined the winemaking areas under Denominacion de Origen as (larger to smaller):
Region
Sub region
Zone
Terms ‘Costa’, ‘entre cordilleras’ or ‘Andes’ can be added to the appellations.

Only Vitis Vinifera (not hybrids) grape varieties allowed

Minimum ABV 11.5%

Question 5

DO’s:

Answer 5

DO governs labeling of varieties and vintages

Grape variety: must contain minimum 75% of the stated variety.
Region name: must be minimum 75% from the stated region.
Vintage: must contain minimum 75% of the stated year.

Most wines conform to 85% laws determined by export markets (EU)

Question 6

The major region in Chile is:

Answer 6

Valle Central

Question 7

Valle Central facts:

Answer 7

The major growing region.
Maipo
Rapel: Cachapoal, Colchagua
Curico: Teno, Lontue
Maule: Claro, Loncomilla, Tutuven

Question 8

Other Chile major regions:

Answer 8

Atacama (Copiapo, Huasco)
Coquimbo (Elqui, Limari, Choapa)
Aconcagua (Aconcagua, Casablanca, San Antonio, Leyda)
Valle Sur (Itata, Bio-Bio, Malleco)

Question 9

Chile key sub-regions:

Answer 9

Maipo (in Valle Central):
Classic area for Cabernet Sauvignon

Casablanca (in Aconcagua): maritime influenced climate, cooler region for Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay