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WSET Unit 3 > Chile > Flashcards

Chile Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
WSET ® Level 1 Wine flashcards WSET ® Level 2 Wine flashcards WSET ® Level 3 Wine flashcards WSET ® Level 2 Spirits flashcards WSET ® Level 1 Spirits flashcards WSET ® Level 3 Spirits flashcards WSET® Level 4 Wine flashcards
1
Q

When were Vinifera vines planted in Chile?

A

16th Century

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2
Q

When did the modern wine industry begin in Chile?

A

Mid 19th Century.

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3
Q

What style are Chilean wines made in and why?

A

A clean, new world style. Foreign investment has introduced modern, stainless steel equipment.

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4
Q

What is the sales/export trajectory of Chilean wine?

A

Sales/exports are increasing rapidly, with 60% of total production exported.

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5
Q

What are the main export countries for Chilean Wine?

A

UK and USA. Republic of Ireland also important.

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6
Q

When was the Chilean appellation system set up?

A

1995

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7
Q

Chilean DO wines must contain what percentage of wine from the stated region?

A

75% if consumed locally, 85% if exported to EU.

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8
Q

How many tiers are there in the Chilean DO system, and which ones can be stated on the label?

A

4 tiers (region, subregion, zone, area). Any of the 4 can be stated on the label.

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9
Q

What is the climate of Chile like as a whole?

A

Maritime for the entire country, with near perfect growing conditions.

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10
Q

Where are most vineyards in Chile planted?

A

The Central Valley, between the coastal cordillera and the Andes.

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11
Q

What is a cordillera?

A

A chain of mountains or mountain ranges.

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12
Q

What is the climate of the Central Valley?

A

Dry, warm, maritime, with cooling Pacific breezes.

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13
Q

Which is more important in Chile, the influence of the Pacific breeze or latitude?

A

The Pacific breeze.

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14
Q

Where in Chile is spring frost an issue?

A

In higher altitude areas, and areas with a notable influence from the Pacific breezes.

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15
Q

What are the regions of Chile?

A

Aconcagua, Central Valley, Southern Region, Coquimbo.

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16
Q

What are the Aconcaguan subregions of Casablanca and San Antonio best known for?

A

High quality Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir.

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17
Q

What is the name of the ocean current which affects Aconcagua?

A

The Humboldt Current (cooling effect).

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18
Q

What similarities does Aconcagua have with California due to the Humboldt Current?

A

Morning fogs, relaying ripening and leading to more complex flavour development.

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19
Q

What are the subregions of the Central Valley?

A

Maipo, Rapel, Curicó, Maule.

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20
Q

Where is the Central Valley located?

A

In Central Chile, between the cordillera and the Andes.

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21
Q

Which varietals do well in the Central Valley?

A

Bordeaux varietals.

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22
Q

What percentage of exported Chilean wine comes from the Central Valley?

A

Over 90%.

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23
Q

What is Maipo best known for?

A

Old Cabernet Sauvignon vines, producing high quality wines.

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24
Q

Which city does the Maipo Valley surround?

A

Santiago, which is slowly taking over the vineyard areas.

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25
Q

What is the climate of the Maipo Valley?

A

Warm maritime.

26
Q

The Rapel Valley is divided into which zones?

A

Colchagua Valley and Cachapoal.

27
Q

What would you expect to find in the Colchagua Zone?

A

Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère, Merlot. These may be blends or single varietal wines.

28
Q

What varieties is the Cachapoal Zone developing a reputation for?

A

Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenère.

29
Q

Where is the Curicó subregion?

A

In the Central Valley, South of Rapel.

30
Q

What are the climactic conditions for Curicó?

A

Cooler and wetter, due to cloud cover and Southerly latitude.

31
Q

Which of the four subregions of the Central Valley is the wettest?

A

Maule.

32
Q

What are the most important grapes for the Maule subregion?

A

Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as Pais for the local market.

33
Q

Research into better regions for grape growing in the Southern Region has led to increased plantings where?

A

On hills and nearer to the sea.

34
Q

What are the two most important subregions of the Southern Region?

A

Bio-Bio and Itata.

35
Q

Do Bio-Bio and Itata require irrigation?

A

No, irrigation is unnecessary.

36
Q

What style of variety are Itata and Bio-Bio best suited to?

A

Aromatic whites like Gewürztraminer and Riesling.

37
Q

What is the northernmost region of Chile?

A

Coquimbo.

38
Q

What is Coquimbo important for?

A

Growing grapes for Pisco production.

39
Q

What are the sub-regions of Coquimbo?

A

Elqui Valley and Limari Valley.

40
Q

Geographically, what is important about the Elqui Valley?

A

It is the northernmost subregion in Chile, as well as the highest altitude.

41
Q

What altitude do vineyards in the Elqui Valley reach?

A

2000m above sea level.

42
Q

What effect does the high altitude of the Elqui Valley have on growing conditions?

A

It creates long, cool growing conditions.

43
Q

Which grapes are the growing conditions of the Elqui Valley suited for?

A

Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah.

44
Q

What is interesting geographically about the Limari subregion?

A

It is situated on an East/West valley.

45
Q

How does the Pacific Ocean benefit the Limari subregion?

A

It provides a morning fog, cooling the climate and making it suitable for fine wine production.

46
Q

How much rainfall does the Limari Valley get, and how does this affect viticulture?

A

Low (80-100mm per year), necessitates drip irrigation.

47
Q

What are yields like in Chile?

A

Commonly high, though this doesn’t always cause a drop in quality.

48
Q

How does rainfall affect viticulture in Chile in general?

A

Low rainfall levels mean that irrigation is required.

49
Q

Where does the water for drip irrigation come from in Chile?

A

Snow melt from the Andes.

50
Q

What issue has drip irrigation exacerbated?

A

Nematodes.

51
Q

How are nematodes being combatted in Chilean viticulture?

A

Through grafting onto rootstocks with nematode resistance.

52
Q

What are the major international grape varieties grown in Chile?

A 
Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot
Carmenère
Pinot Noir
Chardonnay
Sauvignon Blanc
Carignan
Malbec
Syrah
53
Q

Describe Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

A

Made as either blended or varietal wines, showing intense fruit and capsicum.

54
Q

Describe Chilean Carmenère.

A

Chile’s specialty. Pungent red, velvet tannins.

55
Q

What is challenging about Carmenère in Chile?

A

It can be difficult to ripen tannins and avoid herbaceous flavours without very high alcohol levels.

56
Q

Where in Chile does Pinot Noir show great promise?

A

San Antonio and Casablanca.

57
Q

Describe Chilean Chardonnay.

A

Crisp citrus and apple, often complemented by toast and caramel from oak.

58
Q

Describe Chilean Sauvignon Blanc.

A

Clean, ripe tropical fruit, avoids extreme herbaceous notes.

59
Q

What grape was previously sold under the misnomer Sauvignon Blanc?

A

Sauvignonasse, which produces less distinctive wines.

60
Q

Describe Chilean Carignan.

A

Can make high quality, savoury reds. Old vines in the south of the Central Valley.

61
Q

What is the current state of Chilean Malbec?

A

New plantings in recent years met with continuing success.

62
Q

Describe Chilean Syrah.

A

High quality, with ripe black fruits and subtle pepperiness, especially from areas like San Antonio.

WSET Unit 3 (11 decks)

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