Chile Flashcards

1
Q

What it the term in Chile for Wines of Origin?

A

Denominaciones de Origen (DO)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

The DO regions in Chile can be subdivided and subdivided again. What are the terms for these subdivisions?

A

13 Sub Regions

Then subdivided into Zones

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Introduced in 2012 what are the 3 new terms introduced to describe where a wine is from and what do they mean?

A

Costa = From near the coast
Entre Cordilleras = Between the (mountain) ranges
Andes = From the mountain area

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

How would you describe the 4 key geographical features of Chile?

A

i To the West is the Pacific Ocean
ii Just inland are the Coastal Mountain Ranges
iii To the East are the Andes Mountains
iv South of Santiago is a large depression between the two mountain ranges called ‘Central Valley’.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

How would you describe the climate of Chile?

What is the one risk of the climate?

A

Generally Warm Mediterranean
Dry, sunny, growing season = Grapes reliably ripen and low fungal risk.
RISK - Drought but in some places water is in short supply

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What weather is potentially associated with
El Niño
La Niña

A

El Niño years - Rainfall can be very heavy

La Niña years - Drought may occur

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What 3 things provides the cooling in Coastal areas and inside much of the Inland Mountain ranges?

A

The cold Humboldt Current flows up from Antarctica
Prevailing winds blow cool air inland along river valleys
Coastal areas can experience fog

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What provides the cooling in the foothills of the Andes?

A

Cold air descends from mountains overnight providing a large diurnal range.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Climatically, what are conditions like between the Coastal mountains and the Andes?

A

More sheltered. Large expanses of flat land that is easier to cultivate

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Working from North to South what are the 4 main wine producing regions of Chile?

A
CACS:
Coquimbo Region
Aconcagua Region
Central Valley Region
Southern Region
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What 3 sub regions make up Coquimbo Region and what contributes to them making good wine?

A

El-Li-Cho
Elqui Valley, Limari Valley and Choapa Valley
Brilliant sunshine and marked cooling from sea breezes or mountain air

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is a constraint to grape growing in Coquimbo Region?

A

Irrigation is essential but very expensive due to little of it.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Where would you expect to find Chile’s finest Chardonnay?

A

Limari Valley

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What 1 white and 1 red wine would you expect from Elqui Valley?

A

Sauvignon Blanc and Syrah

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is the white wine that makes Limari Valley stand out?

A

Chile’s best Chardonnay

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What are the 2 sub regions of Aconcagua Valley and what is the renowned Zone within one of the subregions?

A

Casablanca Valley

San Antonio Valley containing Leyda Valley Zone

17
Q

What factors contribute to Casablanca Valley and San Antonio Valley being cooled?

A

They lie between the Pacific Ocean and the Coastal Mountains benefitting from morning fogs and afternoon winds from the Ocean

18
Q

Except for the special regions what are growing conditions like in much of Aconcagua Region?
What 3 grapes would you find there?

A

The vineyards on the fertile valley floor are some of the warmest growing conditions in Chile.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Syrah
Carmenère

19
Q

What 2 black and 2 white grapes do well in Casablanca Valley and San Antonio Valley?

A

Syrah
Pinot Noir
Sauvignon Blanc
Chardonnay

20
Q

What grape has Leyda Valley gained an excellent reputation for growing?

A

Sauvignon Blanc

21
Q

What are the 4 main sub regions of the Central Valley Region?

A

Mai-Ra-Cu-Ma

Maipo Valley
Rapel Valley (Cacheapoal Valley Zone + Colchagua Valley zone)
Curicó Valley
Maule Valley

22
Q

Where are the best vineyards in Maipo Valley located and what are they renowned for producing?

A

Located in the Andean foothills

A reputation for producing Cabernet Sauvignon with a ‘minty’ character

23
Q

Rapel Valley is subdivided into 2 zones, what are they?

A

Cachapoal Valley and Colchagua Valley

24
Q

What is the climate like in Cachapoal Valley and Colchagua Valley and what 3 black grapes are largely grown there?

A

Warm with little cooling although Colchagua valley is slightly cooler.
Carmenére on warm valley floor
Cab Sav and Syrah is cooler parts

25
What are conditions like in Curicó Valley and Maura Valley and what is mainly grown there?
It's warm and the soils are fertile. | Mainly grapes for bulk red and white blends
26
Which 3 sub regions make up Southern Region?
tata-bibi-malle Itata Valley Bio Bio Valley Malleco Valley
27
What is the climate like in Southern region and which grapes perform well there?
Cooler and wetter. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and some aromatic varieties The region is still in its infancy for wine
28
Roughly speaking how would you describe the climate of Chile?
The climate of Chile is diverse but can be described generally as warm Mediterranean
29
Which region is famed for its Carmenere?
Cachapoal Valley
30
Apalta is a region gaining a strong reputation for its premium wines, where is it located?
Colchagua Valley, on valley slopes (Montes Alpha, Lapostelle)
31
How would you describe the climate in Cachapoal Valley?
Warm, surrounded by mountains, no ocean influence
32
How would you describe the climate of Coquimbo region?
Brilliant sunlight, very, very dry
33
Where, in Aconcagua Region, would you find premium Pinot Noir?
San Antonio Valley
34
How would you describe the climate of Casablanca and San Antonio Valleys?
Cool, between the sea and Coastal mountain ranges.
35
How would you describe the climate of Aconcagua Valley?
Steep-sided narrow valley with Flat, fertile and very warm (Cabernet country)
36
Which region is developing a reputation for Old Bush Vine Carignan in Chile?
Maule Valley sub-region of the Central Valley
37
What style would you expect from wines labelled 'Costa'?
Fresh, fruity, high acidity wines