Chile Flashcards
Until the 21st century, what was the most planted grape in Chile?
País (Chilean synonym for the Mission grape)
Ampelographical research determined that much of Chile’s Sauvignon Blanc was actually what?
Sauvignon Vert, or Friulano
A significant portion of the country’s Merlot turned out to be what?
Carmenère, the 6th “lost” grape of Bordeaux
From north to south, what are the 6 regional Denominations of Origin (DOs)?
- Atacama
- Coquimbo
- Aconcagua
- Valle Central (Central Valley)
- Sur (the Southern Regions)
- Austral Region
What is the southernmost limit of grapegrowing in the country?
Austral Region, a new area
Climate of the northernmost regions of Atacama and Coquimbo?
dry and desert-like, grapes historically destined for Pisco
Chile’s most suitable vineyards for fine wine are mostly situated-
in the Central Valley to the south of Santiago
Central Valley climate?
the proximity of the Andes cools nighttime temperatures, and along the coast, the cold, maritime Humboldt Current cools the vines
Although the Coastal Mountains (between the Central Valley and the Pacific) provide some shelter, what forces cool sea air inland through the river valleys to affect the Central Valley vineyards during the day?
the Humboldt Current
What is essential in both the Central Valley and Aconcagua?
irrigation
Climate in the country’s southernmost areas of viticulture?
rainfall is higher, overall growing season is cooler and shorter
What exists in most of Chile’s major regions?
Significant variations in altitude, as vineyard plantings climb from the coast into the Coastal Ranges, and from the valleys into the Andean foothills
Chilean wine law est what in 1995?
the 75% rule: vintage, varietal, and DO must, if listed on the bottle, comprise a min 75% of the blend
Many wineries observe an __% minimum for all three categories, in order to comply with EU standards for export.
85
Chilean law requires all wines to show a min alcohol of-
11.5%
Wines labeled Reserva and Reserva Especial must have-
a min 12% abv
Wines labeled Reserva Privada and Gran Reserva require-
a min 12.5% abv
Reserva Especial and Gran Reserva wines spend-
mandatory time in oak
Red grapes account for approx __% of total acreage in Chile
73
Leading grape varieties in Chile after CS and País include-
Merlot, SB (and Sauvignon Vert), Chardonnay, Carmenère, Syrah, Sémillon, Pinot Noir, and CF
___ retains a large share of plantings, but the grape is used chiefly for distillation
Muscat of Alexandria
In Atacama, the northernmost winegrowing region, viticulture is only possible through-
irrigation
Atacama wines are generally __
distilled
What is also prominent in Coquimbo?
Pisco and table grape production
Name Coquimbo’s 2 northern valleys
Elqui and Limarí
What does well in Elqui and Limarí
CS is the most planted grape in both regions, but Syrah is gaining attention in the regions’ cool, high-altitude vineyards
Name Coquimbo’s 3rd subregion
Choapa
Where is Choapa located?
in a narrow area to the south, where the Andes and Coastal Mountains converge
The Aconcagua DO takes its name from-
the Aconcagua River, rather than the nearby Argentinean peak—the highest mountain in the Americas
Climate of the Aconcagua Valley subregion?
sunny, dry