Chile Flashcards
Map of Chile
Chilean Wine Laws
Denominaciones de Origen (DOs)
Coquimbo, Aconcagua, Central Valley, Southern Region
13 sub-regions in valleys running West from the Pacific
2012 classified vineyard sites by distance from the coast
Costa - coastal areas
Entre Cordilleras - between mountain ranges
Andes - mountain areas
Chilean Climate and Grape Growing
Chile runs N-S 900 km long, less than 100 km wide
Humboldt Current from Antarctica cools the coast
Prevailing winds blow inland, cools and pushes fog inland
Strongest impact where Coastal Mountains low or at gaps
Andes Mountains - cold air from high elevation
Between the mountains it’s sheltered, easier to grow
WARM MEDITERRANEAN CLIMATE
Dry, sunny growing season = good ripening, low fungal pressure
Irrigation is plentiful but water can be short in drought years
High rainfall in El Nino
Low rainfall in La Nina
Much state sponsored organic and sustainable viticulture
Coquimbo Region
Borders on the Atacama Desert in the NORTH, with small high quality holdings
Brilliant sunshine, cooling from both mountain and see air
Lack of water, irrigation is essential but expensive
Elqui Valley - reputation for Sauvignon Blanc and Syrah
Limari Valley – reputation for Chardonnay
Aconcagua Region - Aconcagua Valley
Steep-sided narrow valleys, both cool ocean and Andes influences
Vineyards on the fertile valley floor offer warmest region in Chille
Cabernet Sauvignon dominates
Syrah pioneered in Chile here, and Carmenere
Reds are rich, ripe fruit, high alcohol, high tannins
Recent interest in reduced alcohols and increased complexity so many are moving to the slopes and coast
Aconcagua Region - Casablanca and San Antonio Valleys
Both are similar - highly varied soils, aspect and cooling effects
Sauvignon Blanc primary – Leyda Valley is very cool zone
Chardonnay - widely planted and makes fine wines
Pinot Noir – most planted red with red berry, herbal
Syrah – Casablanca valley in very warm sites
Central Valley Region
South of capital Santiago to Itata Valley, vast warm flat region
Grapes ripen easily and lots of inexpensive fruity wines
Maipo Valley - classic valley heartland
Cachapoal Valley - warm, cut off from ocean, big reds
Colchagua Valley - Warm central part, slopes being planted
Curico and Maule Valleys - South end, warm and fertile
Central Valley - Maipo Valley
Classic heartland, surrounded by mountains, little coastal influence
Best vineyards in Andean foothills, cooled by descending air
Reputation for minty Cabernet Sauvignon
Central Valley - Cachapoal Valley
Warm, cut off from the ocean
Carmenere ripens well on the valley floor
Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah do well in the cool east end
Central Valley - Colchagua Valley
Central part is warm and open to ocean influence
Known for full-bodied reds, esp Cabernet Sauvignon
Also Syrah and Carmenere
Valley slopes are being planted, notably Apalta
Further west the cooling Pacific produces good whites
Central Valley - Curico and Maule Valleys
Southern end, lots of warmth and fertile souls
Inexpensive international reds and whites
Maule Valley is cooler and whites retain acidity
Carignan is the star
Full-body, concentrated wine
Ancient low-yield bush vines
Southern Region
Becomes noticeably cooler and wetter the further south
Itata and Bio Bio Valleys
Pais and Muscat of Alexander for local consumption
Bio Bio promising for Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, aromatics
Malleco Valley - most southern
Some interest in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
Chilean White Grapes
Sauvignon Blanc - Performs well in cool regions
High acid, intense fruit, ripe apple, citrus, tropical, some herbaceous notes
Some add richness with oak and lees stirring
Chardonnay - international style: ripe fruit and oak
Muscat of Alexander - mostly used for PISCO brandy
Chilean Red Grapes
Cabernet Sauvignon - simple and fruity to full-bodied premium
Merlot - successful as export, some premium
Carmenere – Late-ripening, loves warm, sunny climates
Full-bodied, high tannin, black fruit, can be herbaceous
Syrah - cooler sites = light, peppery wines
Warmer sites = full body, intense black fruits
Pinot Noir - showing promise in cool regions
