Chile Flashcards
In 1830 the Frenchman Claudio Gay:
Set up a Chilean repository of pre-phylloxera Vitis Vinifera vines at the University of Chile’s Quinta Normal department.
The Black Mission Grape
DNA research has revealed that the mission grape is identical to a grape found on the Canary Islands, Listan Prieto, and that it originated in Spain itself.
What is the Chilean synonym for the mission grape?
Pais, it was the most planted grape in Chile
What was the mission grape known as in Argentina?
Criolla Chica
Cereza Grape
Was once Argentina’s most planted grape
Torrontes Riojano
A crossing of Criolla Chica x Muscat of Alexandria
Torrontes Sanjuanino
A crossing of Criollo Chica x Muscat of Alexandria
Torrontes Mendocino
A crossing of Muscat and as of yet an unidentified other grape
Chilean wine law, established in 1995, instituted the 75% rule:
Vintage, varietal, and denomination of origin must, if listed on the bottle, comprise a minimum of 75% of the blend.
Many wineries observe an 85% minimum for all three categories, in order to comply with EU standards for export
Chilean wine law minimum alcohol contents:
All wines to show a minimum of 11.5%
Reserva and Reserva Especial minimum of 12%
Reserva Privada and Gran Reserva a minimum 12.5%
(Reserva Especial and Gran Reserva wines must spend mandatory time in oak)
Leading grape varieties in Chile after Cabernet Sauvignon:
Sauvignon Blanc (and Sauvignon Vert), Merlot, Chardonnay, Carmenere, and Syrah.
Muscat of Alexandria retains a large share of plantings, but mostly used for distillation.
Red grapes account for over 70% of the total acreage in Chile.
Aconcagua DO:
Takes its name from the Aconcagua River
Soils are generally alluvial and red grapes dominate the vineyards, Particularly Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot
Much of the valley is distressingly hot for grape growing
The commune of Panquehue:
Home to Errazuriz, one of Chile’s most prominent estates and winemaking families. (Moderate Climate)
Errazuriz’s “Sena”- An iconic Bordeaux style blend and one of the premier reds of Chile. Placed ahead of both Lafite and Margaux in the 2004 Berlin Tasting.
Aconcagua DO’s other subregions - Casablanca and San Antonio:
Casablanca: Aconcagua DO most prominent zone for production. Known for its fresh, crisp and fruity Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.
San Antonio: Directly south of Casablanca, has one official subzones: Leyda. San Antonio is predominantly a white wine region with Pinot Noir showing promising results.
The Central Valley DO:
Chile’s oldest and most established winemaking region.
Central Valley DO subregions from north to south:
Maipo Valley
Rapel Valley
Curico
Maule Valley
Maipo Valley:
Chile’s most famous winemaking area
Over 50% of the regions more than 10,000 hectares are devoted to Cabernet Sauvignon.
Followed by Merlot, Syrah, and Carmenere.
Some of Chile’s most premium red wines from the subregion of Puente Alto
Concha y Toro (Chile’s largest producer) Santa Rita (High prized producer) Cousino Macul (High prized producer)
What is the most planted grape varietal in Chile?
Cabernet Sauvignon
What is the northernmost winegrowing region in Chile?
Atacama
True or False?
Pisco and table grape production is prominent in Coquimbo?
True
What are the two northern valleys of Coquimbo?
Elqui (The northernmost)(Syrah)
Limarí (Chardonnay)
What is the third subregion of Coquimbo located in a narrow area to the South?
Choapa
Where is Concha y Toro located in Chile?
Central Valley DO
Name three famous wines in the subregion of Puente Alto in Central Valley DO from Concha y Toro and Errázuriz’s:
Concha y Toro: “Don Melchor”
Errázuriz: “Viñedo Chadwick”
Both Cabernet Sauvignon varietal wines
“Almaviva” a joint project between Baron Philippe de Rothschild and Concha y Toro
What appellations is the Rapel Valley divided into?
Cachapoal and Colchagua
What two producers of finding success with premium wines in Colchagua?
San Fernando and Chimbarongo
Name three famous wines that can be found in Colchagua?
Apalta in eastern Colchagua: Casa Lapostolle’s “Clos Apalta”
Viña Montes “Alpha M” (both Bordeaux style blends)
Viña Montes “Purple Angel” (Carmenere)
The Maule Valley:
One of Chile’s largest regions
Bulk wines meant for consumption still comprise a large share of the Maule Valley’s output.
What are the two subregions of Curicó?
Lontué and Teno
What are the three Valley’s of Chile’s Southern Regions DO (Sur)
Itata
Bio Bio
Malleco (Southernmost)
What is the most planted grapes in both Itata and Bio Bio?
Pais
Muscat de Alexandria (Chile’s third most planted white variety)
Malleco:
A tiny region with just a few hectares of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
Costa:
Coast or to the mountains
Entre Cordilleras:
“Between Mountains”
Which percentage of grapes must be harvested in the appropriate region in order for a wine to qualify for one of the new designations?
85%
Wines labeled Reserva and Reserva Especial must have a minimum ______% abv.
12%
Wines labeled Reserva Privada and Gran Reserva require a minimum _____% abv
12.5%
True or False?
Reserva Especial and Gran Reserva wines spend mandatory time in oak
True
What are the two mountain ranges that run parallel along the length of the country?
Andes
Cordilleras de la Costa, or Costal Range
Where is the O’Higgins administrative region located?
In Zona Central, from the Aconcagua River Valley through Santiago
What is the synonym for Carmenere in Chile?
Grand Vidure
What is an Arroba?
A measurement of weight, rather than volume, equivalent to about 8 liters
Name two subregions in Aconcagua for Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay
Casablanca and San Antonio
