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My WSET LEVET 3 > Chile > Flashcards

Chile Flashcards

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1
Q

Where is Chile located?

A

Between the Andes to the east and the Pacific to the west

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2
Q

What attributes to the wide range of varietals and styles of wines made in Chile?

A

cooling influences from the Pacific and Andes along with plentiful sunshine.

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3
Q

What is the area range of Chile vineyards

A

over an area that covers more than 900km from north to south and 100 km from east to west.

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4
Q

What are the 4 geographical key features in Chile

A
  1. to the west is the Pacific Ocean and just inland are the coastal mountain ranges.
  2. to the east are the Andes which also mark the boundary with Argentina
  3. to the north of Santiago the ranges merge
  4. to the south there is a large depression between the two ranges referred to as Central Valley
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5
Q

What are the climates in Chile, generally speaking?

A

warm Mediterranean. dry sunny growing season ensures grapes reliably ripen and fungal disease is kept to a minimum. there is a shortfall of rain, but irrigation makes up for it. however water for irrigation is short supply.

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6
Q

What happens to climate in the southern regions of Chile

A

conditions become cooler and wetter. El Nino can cause dramatic increase in rainfall some years, while La Nina can cause drought.

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7
Q

How does the cold Humboldt Current affect Chile?

A

it flows up from Antarctica along the Chilean coast and the prevailing wind blows cool air inland along river valleys. can also cause fog in areas very close to the coast.

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8
Q

Where is the cooling affects from the Humboldt Current mostly impacted?

A

in the area where coastal mountains are at their lowest and in parts of the valley that lies closest to the Pacific

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9
Q

Where is there another cooling affect caused by cool air that descends from the mountains overnight in Chile.

A

the vineyards in the foothills of the Andes - also causes a large diurnal temp range

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10
Q

Describe climate conditions between the two mountain ranges in Chile

A

more sheltered and the large expanses of flat land are easier to cultivate.

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11
Q

What type of wine growing is widely practiced in Chile?

A

sustainable and organic

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12
Q

What is the majority of the plantings in Chile

A

Cabernet Sauv - most of either color

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13
Q

Describe how Cab Sauv is made in Chile

A

depending on the planting depends on the style made. from simple and fruity to full body premium examples which have very ripe black fruit flavors often a herbaceous character.

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14
Q

What is Cab Sauv often blended with in Chile?

A

Merlot. Carmenere, or Syrah

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15
Q

Describe Merlot from Chile?

A

inexpensive med bodied and fruity is successful, but full bodied more complex versions are also found

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16
Q

Describe Carmenere wine from Chile

A

late ripening variety that is most successful in the warmest, sunniest sites. usually full bodied often high levels of tannins. can have overly herbaceous aromas when not fully ripe but good examples achieve balance between black fruit character and herbal aromas.

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17
Q

what is thought of as Chile’s signature varietal ?

A

Carmenere

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18
Q

Where is Syrah planted in Chile

A

planted in a wide variety of sites

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19
Q

Describe Syrah wines in Chile

A

variety of styles - cooler climates (Elqui Valley) are lighter in body, with peppery notes. hotter climates (Colchagua Valley) display greater intensity of black fruits and fuller body.

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20
Q

Where is Pinot Noir showing promise in Chile

A

cooler climates such as Casablanca Valley and San Antonio

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21
Q

What are the two white varietals that dominate Chile

A

Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc

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22
Q

Where does Sauvignon Blanc do well in Chile

A

in cooler sites such as Casablanca and San Antonio Valley - yielding excellent wines with high acidity and intense fruity flavors

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23
Q

Describe Sauvignon Blanc wines in Chile

A

ripe apples, citrus and tropical flavors, and sometimes display herbaceous notes. some examples have added richness and texture from lees stirring with oak.

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24
Q

How have modern Chardonnays been made in Chile

A

ripe fruit, and oak flavors, however quality and range of styles is growing

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25
Q

Describe a Chardonnay from Limari Valley Chile

A

wines with structure elegance and restraint -

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26
Q

What is the 3rd most planted white variety in Chile

A

Muscat of Alexandria

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27
Q

What is Muscat of Alexandria mostly used for in Chile

A

grape brandy Pisco

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28
Q

What varietals have small plantings in cool regions such as Bio Bio and Itata Valleys?

A

Riesling, Viognier, and Gewurztraminer making fresh fruity wines

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29
Q

Where is Coquimbo region in Chile

A

borders onto the Atacama Desert and is currently Chile’s northern most principle wine region

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30
Q

What are the 3 sub regions located in Coquimbo region in Chile

A

Elqui Valley, Limari Valley and Choapa Valley

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31
Q

Describe vineyards in the 3 sub regions located in Coquimbo region in Chile

A

plantings are relatively small compared to more southerly regions but quality tends to be high. some vineyards are now being planted on very high altitudes

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32
Q

What do all three Elqui Valley, Limari Valley and Choapa Valley benefit from?

A

brilliant sunshine and marked cool influences either from sea breezes or mountain air.

33
Q

What is the biggest challenge in Elqui Valley, Limari Valley and Choapa Valley

A

lack of water, irrigation is essential but expensive as water is less plentiful here compared to other regions.

34
Q

What has Elqui Valley developed a reputation for?

A

Sauvignon Blanc and Syrah

35
Q

What has Limari Valley developed a reputation for?

A

some of Chile’s best Chardonnay

36
Q

What is the 2nd smallest wine region in Chile, but well known

A

Aconcagua Valley

37
Q

Describe the Aconcagua Valley sub region

A

steep sided narrow valley that enjoys some cooling influences from the ocean and the Andes

38
Q

Where are some of the warmest growing conditions found in Chile?

A

vineyards on the fertile valley floor between the coastal mountain range and the Andes in the Aconcagua Valley sub region

39
Q

What is the dominate red grape varietal found in the Aconcagua sub region

A

Cabernet Sauvignon, although in recent years Syrah and has becoming increasingly important as well as Carmenere

40
Q

Describe reds in Aconcagua sub region

A

typically rich, ripe fruit flavors, with high alcohol and tannins.

41
Q

more recently producers are have been looking to reduce alcohol and find more freshness and complex fruit flavors, what does this do to plantings

A

planting have become more focused on the slopes or towards the coast instead of the valley

42
Q

What are two neighboring sub regions to Aconcagua Valley that share similar characteristics?

A

Casablanca Valley and San Antonio Valley

43
Q

Describe the areas of Casablanca Valley and San Antonio Valley

A

they are varying areas that offer a host of different soils and aspects. both lie in between the coastal mountains and the Pacific.

44
Q

Describe climates of Casablanca Valley and San Antonio Valley

A

they offer noticeably cooler sites thanks to morning fogs and afternoon wines that blow off the ocean.

45
Q

What types of wine dominate Casablanca Valley and San Antonio Valley

A

due to cool climates white wines dominate such as Sauvignon Blanc which has gained the greatest reputation esp in San Antonio Valley and Leyda Valley

46
Q

Besides Sauvignon Blanc what other white variety is widely planted in Casablanca Valley and San Antonio Valley

A

Chardonnay

47
Q

what is the dominate black varietal in Casablanca Valley and San Antonio Valley

A

Pinot Noir

48
Q

describe a pinot noir from Casablanca Valley and San Antonio Valley

A

red berry fruit and herbal notes in the coolest sites.

49
Q

describe Syrah from Casablanca Valley

A

planted in warmer vineyard sites in the east it has well structured wines with a peppery edge

50
Q

Where is the Central Valley region in Chile?

A

runs south from the capital Santiago to the sub region of Itata Valley. most vineyards found in the flat warm region

51
Q

What is the majority of production focused on in Central Valley Chile

A

inexpensive fruity wines made from merlot and Chardonnay due to the ease of grapes ripening.

52
Q

What are the 4 sub regions of Central Valley Chile

A

Maipo Valley, Rapel valley, Curico valley and Maule Valley

53
Q

What two zones are in the 4 sub regions of Central Valley Chile

A

Cachapoal Valley and Colchagua Valley

54
Q

Describe the Maipo Valley sub region

A

classic heartland of Chilean wine industry due to its proximity to the capital city. almost completely surrounded by mountains with very little coastal influence that reaches the main grape growing area to the south of the capital.

55
Q

Where are the more premium sites located in Maipo Valley

A

the Andean foothills, which are cooled by descending air and lending elegance and structure to red wines

56
Q

Describe Cabernet Sauv from Maipo Valley

A

one that has a particularly minty flavor to it.

57
Q

Describe the Rapel sub region in Chile

A

large and varied area

58
Q

what is the northern zone in Rapel sub region and describe its climate

A

Cachapoal Valley - a warm area that is cut off from ocean breezes

59
Q

Describe what black varietals come from the Cachapoal Valley

A

Carmenere ripens well on valley floors and Cab Sauv and Syrah do well on the cooler eastern end of the valley.

60
Q

Describe the Colchagua Valley area in Chile?

A

it is a larger and more varied area than Cachapoal Valley. the central part is warm and open to some ocean influences

61
Q

What type of wines is Colchagua Valley known for?

A

well known for full bodied reds particularly Cabernet Sauv, but also Syrah and Camenere.

62
Q

Where are vineyards planted in Colchagua Valley as the area expands

A

valley slopes, and some areas, noticeably Apalta have gained premium reputation.

63
Q

What happens to climate in Colchagua Valley as you move further west?

A

it becomes more impacted by the cooling pacific influences and high quality white wines can be produced.

64
Q

Where are the Curico Valley and Maule Valley in Chile

A

they form the southern end of the Central Valley.

65
Q

What can of wines do the fertile soil and warmth from the Curico Valley and Maule Valley create

A

inexpensive blended white and red wines

66
Q

Explain the difference between wines of in Maule Valley and Curico Valley

A

Maule Valley is cooler and therefore the wines retain more acidity which is useful while blending.

67
Q

Where is Carignan a popular variety in Maule Valley and Curico Valley

A

in the western hills of this region where producers are trying to exploit the wealth of dry farmed old vines - utilizing low yielding bush vines

68
Q

Describe Carignan wine from Maule Valley and Curico Valley

A

full bodied intensely concentrated

69
Q

What are the three sub regions of Southern Region in Chile

A

Itata Valley, Bio Bio Valley, and Malleco Valley.

70
Q

What is the climate of the Southern region of Chile

A

noticeably cooler and wetter the further south they are located

71
Q

What are plantings dominated by in the 2 larger sub regions Itata Valley, Bio Bio Valley

A

Pais, and Muscat of Alexandria - most of which is consumed locally. However Bio Bio has begun showing promise for Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and aromatic varieties

72
Q

What is the smallest and most southerly region in Chile

A

Malleco

73
Q

What varietals are made in Malleco

A

only a small amount of producers are making Chardonnay and Pinot Noir- but its gaining interest

74
Q

What are vineyard areas divided into within Chile’s GI schema

A

several DO’s (Denominaciones de Origen)

75
Q

What are the four principle regions in Chile

A

Coquimbo, Aconcagua, Central Valley and Southern Region.

76
Q

How many sub regions are the 4 principle regions of chile divided into

A

13 - generally follow the valleys running west from the Andes to the Pacific. many sub regions include multiple zones.

77
Q

What was the new classification system that was announced in 2012 in Chile

A

categorizing sites according to their distance from the coast rather than latitude.

78
Q

What terms may appear on CHile wine labels

A

Costa - for coastal areas
Entre Cordilleras - for areas between the mountain ranges
Andes - mountain areas
note: producer can choose to use these terms along with DO

79
Q

What are other labelling terms that are used in CHile, but carry very little meaning

A

Reserva, Reserva Esepecial, Reserva Privada and Gran Reserva

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