Chile Flashcards
When did the history of sparkling wine in Chile begin? Who was responsible?
The mid-nineteenth century by Valdivieso
What is the trend in Chilean sparkling wine production?
The category has grown rapidly in recent years
What is the typical style of Chilean sparkling wine?
Tank fermented and fruity. Brut and slightly sweeter are the common styles.
Traditional method wines are also made
What are the principle varieties used in Chilean sparkling wine?
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Sauvignon Blanc
What is the range of quality and pricing of Chilean sparkling wine?
Acceptable to very good in quality and inexpensive to mid-priced. Most wines are inexpensive and mid-priced wines are most likely to appear in export markets.
Where are the grapes for Chilean sparkling wine grown?
The cooler climates near the coast, in the Andean foothills, or in the milder southern regions
When are grapes for sparkling wine harvested in Chile?
Depending on the region, between early February and the first week of March
True or False
Both inexpensive and premium Chilean sparkling wines will be a blend of grapes from different valleys.
False. Premium sparkling wines come from specified regions while inexpensive sparkling wines will come from multiple valleys
What are the key regions for Chilean sparkling wine production?
Casablanca, San Antonio (Leyda), and Limarí, all cooled by the Pacific, are key
Curicó and Bío Bío are also important
What is unique about the cooling influences on Curicó?
Curicó is cooled by both the Pacific Ocean and the Andes
Which Chilean regions are historically known for growing Moscatel and País?
Itata and Maule
What vineyard management technique is important in Chile’s sparkling wine regions? Why?
Irrigation, due to the dry climate in the country. Only Itata is the exception as it receives higher levels of rainfall
How is the harvest for sparkling wine grapes in Chile conducted?
Predominantly by hand due to the country’s steep slopes and the presence of bush vines, though machine harvesting is feasible in some areas.
What is the most common production method for sparkling wine in Chile? What percentage of the category does it comprise?
Tank method accounts for 90% of the country’s sparkling wine production
True or False
Chile produces sparkling wine with older equipment, most of which dates to the mid-1970s
False. Chile has very modern, recently acquired equipment with which to produce sparkling wines
What advantage in Chilean wineries has allowed the sparkling wine market of the country to rapidly expand?
Very modern, recently acquired equipment
What grapes are commonly used in the production of Chilean tank method wines?
Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc
What grapes are commonly used in the production of Chilean traditional method wines?
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, País, and Moscatel
What types of traditional method wines is País used to make in Chile?
Blanc de Noirs or rosé
What system is used to describe the level of residual sugar in Chilean sparkling wines?
The same as that used in the EU
True or False
A few large companies dominate Chile’s sparkling wine market
True
Who are the main producers of sparkling wine in Chile?
Valdivieso, Viña Mar, Undurraga, Concha y Toro, Aguirre, La Rosa, Cono Sur, and Miguel Torres
Which Chilean sparkling wine producer is responsible for a third of the country’s sparkling wine volume?
Valdivieso
What percentage of Chile’s sparkling wine is consumed domestically? What is the trend?
Over 66% and growing rapidly
How much sparkling wine is consumed in Chile per capita? What percentage of that is locally produced?
1.2 liters per capita, 95% of which is Chilean
What has been the trend in Chilean sparkling wine exports? Which countries are the major markets?
Exports have grown
Japan (over a third)
Columbia
Brazil
