Chile Flashcards
What it the term in Chile for Wines of Origin?
Denominaciones de Origen (DO)
The DO regions in Chile can be subdivided and subdivided again, that are the terms for these subdivisions?
13 Sub Regions
then subdivided into
Zones
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
How would you describe the 4 key 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’.
How would you 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 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 3 things provides the cooling in Coastal areas and inside much of the Inland Mountain ranges?
The cold Humboldt Current flows up from Antarctica
Prevailing winds blow cool air inland along 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
Working from North to South what are the 4 main wine producing regions of Chile?
Coquimbo Region
Aconcagua Region
Central Valley Region
Southern Region
What 3 sub regions make up Coquimbo Region and what contributes to them making good wine?
Elqui Valley, Limari Valley and Choapa Valley
Brilliant sunshine and marked cooling from sea breezes or mountain air
What is a constraint to grape growing in Coquimbo Region?
Irrigation is essential but very expensive due to little of it.
Where would you expect to find Chile’s finest Chardonnay?
Limari Valley
What 1 white and 1 red wine would you expect from Elqui Valley?
Sauvignon Blanc and Syrah
What is the white wine that makes Limari Valley stand out?
Chile’s best Chardonnay