Chile Flashcards

1
Q

What it the term in Chile for Wines of Origin?

A

Denominaciones de Origen (DO)

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2
Q

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

A

13 Sub Regions
then subdivided into
Zones

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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

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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’.

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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

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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

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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

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8
Q

What provides the cooling in the foothills of the Andes?

A

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

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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

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10
Q

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

A

Coquimbo Region
Aconcagua Region
Central Valley Region
Southern Region

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11
Q

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

A

Elqui Valley, Limari Valley and Choapa Valley

Brilliant sunshine and marked cooling from sea breezes or mountain air

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12
Q

What is a constraint to grape growing in Coquimbo Region?

A

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

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13
Q

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

A

Limari Valley

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14
Q

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

A

Sauvignon Blanc and Syrah

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15
Q

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

A

Chile’s best Chardonnay

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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

Maipo Valley
Rapel Valley
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
Q

Which 3 sub regions make up Southern Region?

A

Itata Valley
Bio Bio Valley
Malleco Valley

26
Q

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

A

Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and some aromatic varieties

The region is still in its infancy for wine

27
Q

Roughly speaking how would you describe the climate of Chile?

A

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

28
Q

Which region is famed for its Carmenere?

A

Cachapoal Valley

29
Q

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

A

Colchagua Valley, on valley slopes

30
Q

How would you describe the climate in Cachapoal Valley?

A

Warm, surrounded by mountains, no ocean influence

31
Q

How would you describe the climate of Coquimbo region?

A

Brilliant sunlight, very, very dry

32
Q

Where, in Aconcagua Region, would you find premium Pinot Noir?

A

San Antonio Valley

33
Q

How would you describe the climate of Casablanca and San Antonio Valleys?

A

Cool, between the sea and Coastal mountain ranges.

34
Q

How would you describe the climate of Aconcagua Valley?

A

Flat, fertile and very warm

35
Q

Which region is developing a reputation for Old Bush Vine Carignan in Chile?

A

Maule Valley

36
Q

What style would you expect from wines labelled ‘Costa’?

A

Fresh, fruity, high acidity wines