Chile

Question 1

What is the term in Chile for Wines of Origin?

Answer 1

Denominaciones de Origen (DO)

Question 2

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

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Describe the 4 main geographical features of Chile?

Answer 3

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’.

Question 4

Describe the climate of Chile?
What is the one risk of the climate?

Answer 4

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.

Question 5

What weather is potentially associated with
El Niño
La Niña

Answer 5

El Niño years - Rainfall can be very heavy
La Niña years - Drought may occur

Question 6

What are the 2 main cooling influences on coastal regions of Chile?

Answer 6

The cold Humboldt Current flows up from Antarctica bringing cool air which runs up the river valleys.

Coastal areas can experience fog.

Question 7

What provides the cooling in the foothills of the Andes?

Answer 7

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

Question 8

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

Answer 8

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

Question 9

From North to South what are the 4 main wine producing regions (DOs) of Chile?

Answer 9

Coquimbo Region
Aconcagua Region
Central Valley Region
Southern Region

Question 10

Elqui Valley, Limari Valley and Choapa Valley are located in which region?
What factots account for the style of wine associated with them?

Answer 10

Coquimbo Region
Brilliant sunshine and marked cooling from sea breezes or mountain air

Question 11

Limari Valley is known for producing high quality wine from what grape?

Answer 11

Chardonnay

Question 12

What red and white grapes are most associated with Elqui Valley?

Answer 12

Sauvignon Blanc and Syrah

Question 13

What are the 2 sub regions of Aconcagua Valley?

Answer 13

Casablanca Valley
San Antonio Valley containing Leyda Valley Zone

Question 14

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

Answer 14

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

Question 15

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

Answer 15

Syrah
Pinot Noir
Sauvignon Blanc
Chardonnay

Question 16

Leyda Valley is known for high quality wine from what grape?

Answer 16

Sauvignon Blanc

Question 17

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

Answer 17

Maipo Valley
Rapel Valley
Curicó Valley
Maule Valley

Question 18

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

Answer 18

Located in the Andean foothills.
A reputation for producing Cabernet Sauvignon with a ‘minty’ character.

Question 19

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

Answer 19

Cachapoal Valley and Colchagua Valley

Question 20

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

Answer 20

Warm with little cooling although Colchagua Valley is slightly cooler.
Carmenére on warm valley floor.
Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah in relatively cooler parts.

Question 21

Which 3 sub regions make up Southern Region?

Answer 21

Itata Valley (note success with old vines)
Bio Bio Valley
Malleco Valley

Question 22

What is the climate like in the Southern region and which grapes perform well there?

Answer 22

Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and some aromatic varieties.

Question 23

Describe the climate of Chile?

Answer 23

The climate of Chile is diverse but can be described generally as warm Mediterranean

Question 24

Which region is famed for its Carmenere?

Answer 24

Cachapoal Valley

Question 25

Apalta is a region gaining a strong reputation for its premium wines, where is it located?

Answer 25

Colchagua Valley, on valley slopes

Question 26

Describe the climate in Cachapoal Valley?

Answer 26

Warm, surrounded by mountains, no ocean influence.

Question 27

What 2 sub-regions of the Aconcagua Region are known for premium Pinot Noir?

Answer 27

San Antonio Valley and Casablanca

Question 28

Describe the climate of Casablanca and San Antonio Valleys?

Answer 28

Cool, between the sea and Coastal mountain ranges.

Question 29

Which 2 regions are developing a reputation for Old Bush Vine Carignan in Chile?

Answer 29

Maule Valley and Itata.

Question 30

What style of wine is associated with wines labelled as ‘Costa’?

Answer 30

Fresh, fruity, high acidity wines.