Chile Flashcards
Geography and Climate
Main vineyard area is 1,000km long from Elqui in the north (at 30S) to Malleco Valley in the south (at 38S). Area is rarely more than 100km wide.
Climate is fairly consistent from north to south. Most are warm Mediterranean climate with long dry sunny growing season. Cooler and wetter as you move towards the south. Low latitude makes for intense sunshine. Rainfall varies with northern and inland areas drier (80mm in Elqui) and coastal and southern wetter (1,200 in Bio Bio). Impacted by the El Nino phenomenon (every 2 - 10 yrs) bringing much higher than avg rainfall and then much lower or drought in La Nina years. Vintage variation can be sig.
Much of the climatic variation happens from east to west. Pacific and Andes provide cooling influences lengthening the season and allowing retention of acidity and aroma.
Along a sig portion of the coast lies a mountain range (300 - 800m) forming a barrier against ocean influence. To the west vineyards are fully exposed. Humboldt Current flows up from Antarctica bringing cold water and cool air. Warm air from the land rises during the day, this cool air is sucked in. It also produces morning fog which moderates temps till burned away by heat of the sun. But also increases humidity.
Gaps in the ranges allow fog and breezes that moderate. Planting on the slopes of these ranges or Andes can also cool through altitude or aspect. And can lead to high diurnal ranges.
Soil
River valleys offer fertile soils which are mainly alluvial in nature with areas of clay, sand, silt, gravel.
Soil on slopes is less fertile: in the coastal ranges there is more gravel with sand and silt, whilst in the Andes the soil is volcanic, mainly granite. Limari is one of the only areas with limestone.
Vineyard Management
136,000ha which increased rapidly in 1990’s and 2000s but now declining. Production up from 3 - 6 m hL in 1990’s to 9 - 13 in 2010’s. Big variations in production due to el Nino
Normally dry and sunny conditions are ideal for producing healthy, fully ripe grapes. Intense sunshine means reliable ripening with high tannins and anthocyanins. In many areas the dryness means risk of fungal disease is low, but in coastal areas it can be humid and more of a problem. Sustainable and organic widely practiced.
Around 85% are irrigated (except Itata, Bio Bio and lesser extent Maule where there is ample rain or old vines with deep roots). The Andes provide irrigation water or aquifiers. But because of climate change, snowfall in the Andes is reducing hence Limari snow cover was 15% less in 2018 vs 2014.
Forest fires are a particular hazard and can produce smoke taint.
Chile is phylloxera free thanks to geographical barriers and quarantine. Considerable plantings of old ungrafted vines, particularly of old bush vines of Pais, Muscat, Carignan, Cinsault in Itata and Maule. Many vines were planted recently and on rootstocks to prevent nematodes. VSP is now most common.
Mechanization is easy in the flat vineyards and increasingly introduced in the Central Valley as labor becomes scarce. But overall machine harvesting is low.
Grapes and Winemaking
Black grapes are 75% of plantings: Cab Sauv: 43,000ha Sauvignon Blanc: 15,000ha Merlot: 11,000ha Chardonnay: 11,000ha Carmenere: 10,000ha Pais: 9,000ha Syrah: 7,000ha
Until 1990’s Pais was most planted. Traditionally for inexpensive wine for domestic market. 75% pulled up since 80’s. Recently undergoing a revival from old vines in Maule, Itata, Bio Bio
Since 90’s a shift to more international varieties. Some identification issues. Carmenere confused with Merlot until identified in 1994. Majority of Sauv Blanc was probs Sauvignonasse and Sauv Gris until recently.
Experimentation now with diff grapes. Muscat, Viognier, Gewurz, Carignan, Cinsault, Grenache, Mourvedre.
Increasing diversity in style. Leading producer in inexpensive fruity wines in temp controlled stainless for early drinking. Also good and very good quality wine mid priced and outstanding wine at prem and super. Experimenting with less new oak, more old oak and concrete, whole bunches, skin contact, lees.
Cabernet Sauvignonn
By far most widely planted grape
Makes some of the best and most expensive either varietally or blended with Merlot, Carmenere, or Syrah.
Mid price and prem are full bodied, with high ripe tannin and pronounced dark fruit (blackcurrant) and an herbaceous or eucalyptus character. Maturation in at least partial new oak gives spice and toast.
Best sites are near the Andes where poorer soils (vs valley floor) keep vigor in check and cool nights slow ripening and retain acidity.
Also used for large volumes of inexpensive, simple, fruity wine, particularly from the flat central valley. Still dark fruit and herb but less structure and complexity.
Merlot
Inexpensive varietal wines from the Central Valley has done very well on export markets with soft tannin, med body, and dark fruit.
Also widely used in blend.
Can be made higher quality if yields kept low.
Carmenere
Only officially identified in Chile in 1994, having been planted as Merlot for decades.
Often used in blends and recently being more produced as a varietal. Good and very good are full bodied with high tannin, med acid and black fruit, herbaceous, and spice, coffee, or dark chocolate when oaked.
Site selection is important. Ripens 2 - 3 weeks later than Merlot and needs warm (but not too hot) sunny sites otherwise can be overly herbaceous with harsh tannin. But if gets too ripe can be overly alcoholic.
Other Red Grapes
Syrah: first planted in mid 1990’s and growing rapidly. Variety of styles from cooler climates of San Antonio, Casablanca, Limari and Elqui with higher acid, fresh black fruit and notes of pepper and clove. Warmer climate styles of Colchagua Valley, fuller bodied with more intense riper black fruit flavors.
Pinot Noir: Improving rapidly especially in cooler areas like Casablanca and San Antonio.
White Grapes
Sauvignon Blanc: most planted white. Thrives in cooler areas like Limari, Casablanca, and San Antonio where it makes good quality wines with high acid and flavors that range from citrus to tropical with a hint of wet stones or herbaceous. Some use lees and oak for complexity. Large amounts of good inexpensive also made in central valley.
Chardonnay: Very good quality in coastal areas, particularly Limari. Med plus to high acid with citrus and stone. Large amounts of inexpensive also produced in Central Valley with ripe tropical flavors. Oaked or Unoaked.
Laws and Regulations
In 1995 created system of Denominaciones de Origen (DO’s). Five regional DO’s created along political boundaries: Atacama, Coquimbo, Aconcagua, Central Valley, Southern, Austral (a 6th) was added later.
Later further divided into sub regions which tend to follow river valleys: For ex; the Central valley has sub regions of Maipo, Rapel, Curico, and Maule Valleys.
Later, smaller zones were created in some of the sub regions. For ex: the Colchagua and Cachapoal Valleys in Rapel Valley.
Also now a growing number of smaller DO’s called area. They either belong to a zone (Apalta is a part of Colchagua Valley) or sub region (where no zone exists - Puente Alta is a part of Maipo).
Further set introduced in 2011 splitting the valleys into: Costa (areas with coastal influence), Andes (influenced by the mountains), Entre Cordileras (in between). Producers are slow to adopt.
For DO status, 75% of grapes must come from there (85% if exported to EU). Varietally labeled must be 75% (85% for EU exports). DO min 11.5% abv.
Other legal terms are: Superior, Reserva, Reserva Especial, Reserva Privada, Gran Reserva. Very little meaning other than higher alcohol (12% for Reserva and Especial); 12.5% for Privada and Gran). Privada and Gran must also see 6 mo oak aging.
Coquimbo Region
Three DO’s: Elqui, Limari, Choapa
Low latitude of 30S for high summer temps and intense sunlight. Cooling influence of mountains and Pacific are essential to delay fruit ripening. This produces wines with intense fruit with fresh acidity, potentially high alcohol.
Humboldt current brings morning fog and cooling breezes, but little to no rainfall. On the edge of the Atacama desert, the world’s driest and rainfall is less than 100mm/yr. Irrigation is essential, but reduced snowfall in the Andes recently has led to water shortages. Threatening the future of the region.
Difficult growing conditions means most producers are small and high priced.
Elqui
Chiles’ northernmost wine region, 400km north of Santiago in the Coquimbo.
Follows the route of the River Elqui from plains near the coast through low rolling hills and into foothills of the Andes.
No coastal mountains and route carved by river means morning fog can reach farther inland than other regions.
Syrah and Sauv Blanc do well in fog impacted areas. High acidity and fresh fruit flavors.
Home to the highest vineyards at 2,200m at the eastern end of the valley. Even more intense light and high diurnal ranges for deep colored, intensely fruit flavored, yet fresh Syrah. Malbec and other Rhone varieties showing promise.
Limari
100km south of Elqui, in the Coquimbo Region
River Limari produces a steep sided valley through the coastal mountains.
West of the region cooled by morning fog and cool breezes from the bay to the north and the valley cut by the river.
Producers are exploring the far east of the valley where sites in the foothills of the Andes can be 1,500m and higher for a cooling influence.
Unusually for Chile, there are pockets of calcareous soil which retain moisture and is very useful in this very dry area where water is becoming scarce.
Chard most planted in a full range of styles from light body high acid at the coastal end to riper fuller bodied further inland. Also experimenting with Pinot. Syrah is most successful in a range of soils.
Warmer eastern end is good for Cab Sauv, Merlot, Carmenenre
Aconcagua Region
Named after the Aconcagua River which is named after Mount Aconcagua, an extinct volcano and highest point in South America.
Three important sub-regions: Aconcagua Valley, San Antonio, Casablanca Valley
Aconcagua Valley
Differences between Costa, Entre Cordilleras and Andes are pronounced here and more producers use it on labels than elsewhere.
Central part of the valley is warm and dry but somewhat moderated afternoon breezes from the coast. Rainfall 250mm so irrigation necessary. Ripe full bodied red with high alcohol and tannin, particularly Cab Sauv and Merlot with Syrah and Carmenere increasing.
Cooler sites on the valley sides and eastern and western sides produce fresher more complex wines with lower alcohol. Smaller volumes and higher prices.
In Aconcagua Costa morning fogs and ocean breezes are relatively unimpeded by hills for ideal conditions for fresh whites (Sauv Blanc and Chard), Pinot, cool Syrah.
In Aconcagua Andes, vineyards up to 1,000m. Days are sunny and warm but cold air descends at night for a high diurnal range. Reds with pronounced red fruit but balanced with fresh acidity.
