Chile Flashcards
How long in miles is Chile? How much of this is occupied by viticulture?
- 3,000 miles up west Coast of South America
- 800 coastal miles for viticulture
Is most of viticulture in Chile North or South of Santiago?
South
6 regional DOs of Chile North to South
- Atacama
- Coquimbo
- Aconcagua
- Valle Central
- Sur
- Austral Region
What is climate of northern Atacama and Coquimbo? What are grapes there usually used for?
- Dry and desert like
- Grapes often used for Pisco or table grapes
Where are Chiles most suitable vineyards for fine wines situated?
Central Valley south of Santiago and along the coast
What mountain range and major wind current keeps vines cool in best growing areas in Chile?
- Andes Mountains
- Humboldt Current
Where are the Coastal Mountains?
Between Central Valley and Pacific
Is irrigation necessary in Central Valley and Aconcagua?
Yes
When was Chilean wine law introduced? What was major tenant?
- 1995
- 75% rule
What is 75% rule in Chile? What is actually observed?
must be 75% to list
- vintage
- varietal
- DO
*Many wineries observe 85% in line with EU for export
Min alcohol/oak for Chilean wine?
Reserva/Reserva Especial?
Reserva Privada/Gran Reserva?
- General wine: 11.5% no wood mandatory
- Reserva/Reserva Especial: 12%, R.E w/ oak
- Reserva Privada/Gran Reserva: 12.5%, G.R w/ oak
Top 2 Grapes in Chile
- Cab Sauvignon
- País
Other grapes in Chile besides C.S. and País
- Merlot
- Sauv Blanc
- Sauv Vert (Friulano)
- Chard
- Carmenère
- Syrah
- Sémillon
- Pinot Noir
- Cab Franc
How much of total acreage is red grapes in Chile
73%
Where is Coquimbo? Two northern valleys in Coquimbo starting to gain rep for wines?
- 2nd most northern region in Chile
- Elqui and Limarí
Where would you find the Elqui and Limarí Valleys? What are each known for?
-Northern valleys in Coquimbo
- Elqui - cool high altitude - Syrah
- Limarí - coastal, limestone soil - Chardonnay
What geographical feature named Aconcagua DO?
Aconcagua River
Where is Aconcagua? Climate? Grapes?
- 3rd most northern region in Chile
- sunny, dry
- red grapes - Cab/Merlot
Where is Errázuriz located? Iconic bottling? Why famous?
- commune of Panquehue in Aconcagua
- Seña BDX blend
- beat Lafite and Margaux in 2004 Berlin tasting!
3 subregions of Aconcagua?
- Panquehue DO (Errázuriz - Seña)
- Casablanca DO (most prominent zone)
- San Antonio DO (white wine)
What two subregions of Aconcagua are cooler on the coast? Which has become Aconcagua’s most prominent zone of production?
- Casablanca DO and San Antonio DO
- Casablanca most prominent zone of production
What grapes might you find in Casablanca DO? Which larger region is it in?
- Sauvignon Blanc and Chard
- in Aconcagua
Where is Valle Central in Chile?
- 4th from n-s regions of Chile
- between Andes and hills along the coast
Subregions of Valle Central N-S
- Maipo Valley
- Rapel Valley
- Curicó
- Maule Valley
What is Chiles most famous winemaking region? Main grape? How much is planted to it?
- Maipo Valley
- Cab Sauv
- 50%
Top producers in Maipo bc of prox. to Santiago?
- Concha y Toro
- Santa Rita
- Cousiño Macul
Who makes Don Melchor? Grapes?
- Concha y Toro (largest producer in Chile)
- Cab Sauv
Who makes Viñedo Chadwick? Grapes?
- Errázuriz
- Cab Sauv
Who makes Almaviva? Grapes?
- Concha y Toro with Baron Philippe de Rothschild (Mouton)
- Cab dominated BDX blend
Which wine won at 2004 Berlin Tasting?
2000 “Viñedo Chadwick” Cab Sauv made by Errázuriz
2 subzones of Rapel Valley? Leading grape?
- Cachapoal
- Colchagua
- Cab Sauv is leading
- Merlot next but Carmenère gaining on Merlot
What top subregion of Maipo is source for Chilean premium wines Don Melchor, Viñedo Chadwick, and Almaviva?
Puente Alto
What subregions of Colchagua are gaining importance for premium wines?
- San Fernando - high alt eastern
- Chimbarongo - high alt eastern
- Apalta - eastern
What two iconic BDX blends are sourced from Apalta? Where is Apalta
- Casa Lapostolle’s “Clos Apalta”
- Viña Montes “Alpha M”
-Apalta < Colchagua < Rapel Valley < Valle Central
What high profile varietal Camernère is sourced from Colchagua
Purple Angel - Viña Montes
Who makes Puple Angel? Where is it from?
Viña Montes
-Colchagua, Rapel Valley, Central Valley
What is one of Chile’s largest regions within Central Valley? What is quality like?
- Maule Valley
- quality is variable
Where did Miguel Torres set up Chilean operations in 1970s?
- Curicó DO in Central Valley DO
- brought international recognition
Subregions of Sur DO? Top grapes?
- Itata Valley - País, Muscat of Alexandria (a lot)
- Bío Bío Valley - País, Muscat of Alexandria (a lot)
-Malleco - tiny - few ha. Pinot and Chard
When did Chliean Ministry of Agriculture set up three new geographic terms? What are they? Describe
2012
- Costa - proximity to coast
- Entre Cordilleras - between coastal range and Andes
- Andes - over 3/4 Chilean wine
*must be 85% harvested from appropriate region
