Chile Flashcards
What is the term in Chile for Wines of Origin?
Denominaciones de Origen (DO)
Introduced in 2012 what are the 3 new terms introduced to describe where a wine is from and what do they mean?
Costa = From near the coast
Entre Cordilleras = Between the (mountain) ranges
Andes = From the mountain area
Describe the 4 main geographical features of Chile?
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’.
Describe the climate of Chile?
What is the one risk of the climate?
Generally Warm Mediterranean
Dry, sunny, growing season = Grapes reliably ripen and low fungal risk.
Risk: - Drought, so irrigation is important, but in some places water is in short supply.
What weather is potentially associated with
El Niño
La Niña
El Niño years - Rainfall can be very heavy
La Niña years - Drought may occur
What are the 2 main cooling influences on coastal regions of Chile?
The cold Humboldt Current flows up from Antarctica bringing cool air which runs up the river valleys.
Coastal areas can experience fog.
What provides the cooling in the foothills of the Andes?
Cold air descends from mountains overnight providing a large diurnal range.
Climatically, what are conditions like between the Coastal mountains and the Andes?
More sheltered. Large expanses of flat land that is easier to cultivate
From North to South what are the 4 main wine producing regions (DOs) of Chile?
Coquimbo Region
Aconcagua Region
Central Valley Region
Southern Region
Elqui Valley, Limari Valley and Choapa Valley are located in which region?
What factots account for the style of wine associated with them?
Coquimbo Region
Brilliant sunshine and marked cooling from sea breezes or mountain air
Limari Valley is known for producing high quality wine from what grape?
Chardonnay
What red and white grapes are most associated with Elqui Valley?
Sauvignon Blanc and Syrah
What are the 2 sub regions of Aconcagua Valley?
Casablanca Valley
San Antonio Valley containing Leyda Valley Zone
What factors contribute to Casablanca Valley and San Antonio Valley being cooled?
They lie between the Pacific Ocean and the Coastal Mountains benefitting from morning fogs and afternoon winds from the Ocean
What 2 black and 2 white grapes do well in Casablanca Valley and San Antonio Valley?
Syrah
Pinot Noir
Sauvignon Blanc
Chardonnay
Leyda Valley is known for high quality wine from what grape?
Sauvignon Blanc
What are the 4 main sub regions of the Central Valley Region?
Maipo Valley
Rapel Valley
Curicó Valley
Maule Valley
Where are the best vineyards in Maipo Valley located and what are they renowned for producing?
Located in the Andean foothills.
A reputation for producing Cabernet Sauvignon with a ‘minty’ character.
Rapel Valley is subdivided into 2 zones, what are they?
Cachapoal Valley and Colchagua Valley
What is the climate like in Cachapoal Valley and Colchagua Valley and what 3 black grapes are largely grown there?
Warm with little cooling although Colchagua Valley is slightly cooler.
Carmenére on warm valley floor.
Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah in relatively cooler parts.
Which 3 sub regions make up Southern Region?
Itata Valley (note success with old vines)
Bio Bio Valley
Malleco Valley
What is the climate like in the Southern region and which grapes perform well there?
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and some aromatic varieties.
Describe the climate of Chile?
The climate of Chile is diverse but can be described generally as warm Mediterranean
Which region is famed for its Carmenere?
Cachapoal Valley
Apalta is a region gaining a strong reputation for its premium wines, where is it located?
Colchagua Valley, on valley slopes
Describe the climate in Cachapoal Valley?
Warm, surrounded by mountains, no ocean influence.
What 2 sub-regions of the Aconcagua Region are known for premium Pinot Noir?
San Antonio Valley and Casablanca
Describe the climate of Casablanca and San Antonio Valleys?
Cool, between the sea and Coastal mountain ranges.
Which 2 regions are developing a reputation for Old Bush Vine Carignan in Chile?
Maule Valley and Itata.
What style of wine is associated with wines labelled as ‘Costa’?
Fresh, fruity, high acidity wines.
