Chile Flashcards
Describe Chile’s geographical boundaries.
Atacama Desert to north
Andes Mountains to east
Pacific Ocean to west
Discuss rainfall in Chile in regards to geography.
Northern and inland areas quite low (80mm); coastal and southern areas quite high (1200mm)
How do Chile’s mountain ranges affect growing conditions?
Block influence of the ocean; part in the south to create large, dry, warm, sunny Central Valley
Provide elevation for cooler vyd sites to be planted
Gaps in ranges create avenues for cool breezes, fog
Discuss Chile’s soil types.
Valleys are fertile and alluvial; slopes are less fertile with more gravel/sand (coastal) or volcanic/granite (Andes)
What weather systems affect Chile’s growing areas?
El Niño (higher than average rainfall)
La Niña (drought)
What makes organic/sustainable viticulture in Chile possible and widespread?
Dry, sunny growing conditions wan disease pressure is low (except coastal areas)
Why has Chile remained phylloxera free?
Geographical barriers
Strict quarantine rules
Sandy soils to north
How much mechanization are Chilean vyds using?
Proportion is low but growing; highest in flat vyds and Central Valley as finding manual labor is challenging
Discuss Chile’s most important grapes, historically and in the current age.
Until 1990s - País for inexpensive wine for domestic market; has undergone a revival with better quality today
Since 1990s - Cabernet Sauvignon and other BDX varieties
Most recently - trend for greater diversity/experimentation in varieties planted
Where will you most likely find good Pinot Noir in Chile?
Casablanca, San Antonio
What are Chile’s six main regional DOs?
Atacama Coquimbo Aconcagua Central Valley Southern Austral
What are the four subdivisions in the DO hierarchy in Chile?
Region
Sub-region
Zone
Area
What extra designations were introduced for Chilean wine in 2011 and why?
Costa - areas with coastal influence
Andes - areas influenced by mountains
Entre Cordilleras - areas in between
Chile has greater diversity from west to east rather than north to south, so these designations help to draw attention to that
Most producers slow to adopt the designations
What are Coquimbo’s three DOs, and what is the climate like?
Elqui, Limarí, Choapa
Desert like climate with cooling influence from elevation, mtns and ocean
Elqui is northernmost and highest elevation in Chile
What is notable about Limarí’s soil and why is it important for that area?
Pockets of calcareous clay
Retains moisture well; important for desert like conditions in Limarí
Where will you find the San Antonio and Casablanca Valleys?
Aconcagua
Which region in Chile has been quick to adopt the Costa, Andes and Entre Cordilleras designations? Why?
Aconcagua Valley; this region has three areas that very clearly reflect the differences in wines coming from each designation
Describe the w geography and climate of Casablanca Valley.
Only 30km away from coast, lots of ocean influence; one of Chile’s coolest growing regions; can experience severe spring frosts
What is the flagship grape in Chile’s San Antonio Valley and what is its important zone there?
Sauvignon Blanc
Leyda Valley zone; heavily influence by ocean for a very cool area
Where do most of Chile’s simple, inexpensive reds come from?
Warm, fertile, flat plains in the Central Valley
What are the four sub-regions of Chile’s Central Valley?
Maipo Valley
Rapel Valley (usually not found on labels)
Curicó Valley
Maule Valley
Cachapoal and Colchagua Valleys (zones in Rapel)
What kind of wines come from Cachapoal and Colchaugua?
Both valley floors produce large amts of inexpensive red wine
High quality reds coming from cooler areas at higher elevation
Where will you find Apalta? What is it known for?
Colchagua Valley; a south facing amphitheater with poor soils for slow ripening and reduced vigor
High quality red wines that go for premium/super premium prices
The _____ Valley has more vineyard plantings than anywhere else in Chile.
Maule
Which Chilean region is known for its old vine País, Carignan, and Muscat d’Alexandria?
Maule Valley
Which three sub-regions are found in Chile’s Southern Region?
Itata
Bío Bío
Malleco
What is the climate of Chile’s Southern Region?
Little protection from the Pacific Ocean, so very cool and wet (1000+ mm/yr) but longer days during growing season because of higher latitude
Discuss Chile’s volume vs value exported.
70% of production is exported, but at low average value per unit (only Spain and South Africa lower)
Although smaller wineries are being established especially in newer regions, about ___% of Chilean wine is still produced by ___ companies.
80%
4 companies
Name some important foreign investors in the Chilean wine trade.
Torres
Mouton Rothschild
Lafite Rothschild
Kendall-Jackson
