Chile

Question 1

Describe Chile’s geographical boundaries.

Answer 1

Atacama Desert to north
Andes Mountains to east
Pacific Ocean to west

Question 2

Discuss rainfall in Chile in regards to geography.

Answer 2

Northern and inland areas quite low (80mm); coastal and southern areas quite high (1200mm)

Question 3

How do Chile’s mountain ranges affect growing conditions?

Answer 3

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

Question 4

Discuss Chile’s soil types.

Answer 4

Valleys are fertile and alluvial; slopes are less fertile with more gravel/sand (coastal) or volcanic/granite (Andes)

Question 5

What weather systems affect Chile’s growing areas?

Answer 5

El Niño (higher than average rainfall)

La Niña (drought)

Question 6

What makes organic/sustainable viticulture in Chile possible and widespread?

Answer 6

Dry, sunny growing conditions wan disease pressure is low (except coastal areas)

Question 7

Why has Chile remained phylloxera free?

Answer 7

Geographical barriers
Strict quarantine rules
Sandy soils to north

Question 8

How much mechanization are Chilean vyds using?

Answer 8

Proportion is low but growing; highest in flat vyds and Central Valley as finding manual labor is challenging

Question 9

Discuss Chile’s most important grapes, historically and in the current age.

Answer 9

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

Question 10

Where will you most likely find good Pinot Noir in Chile?

Answer 10

Casablanca, San Antonio

Question 11

What are Chile’s six main regional DOs?

Answer 11

Atacama
Coquimbo
Aconcagua
Central Valley
Southern 
Austral

Question 12

What are the four subdivisions in the DO hierarchy in Chile?

Answer 12

Region
Sub-region
Zone
Area

Question 13

What extra designations were introduced for Chilean wine in 2011 and why?

Answer 13

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

Question 14

What are Coquimbo’s three DOs, and what is the climate like?

Answer 14

Elqui, Limarí, Choapa
Desert like climate with cooling influence from elevation, mtns and ocean
Elqui is northernmost and highest elevation in Chile

Question 15

What is notable about Limarí’s soil and why is it important for that area?

Answer 15

Pockets of calcareous clay

Retains moisture well; important for desert like conditions in Limarí

Question 16

Where will you find the San Antonio and Casablanca Valleys?

Answer 16

Aconcagua

Question 17

Which region in Chile has been quick to adopt the Costa, Andes and Entre Cordilleras designations? Why?

Answer 17

Aconcagua Valley; this region has three areas that very clearly reflect the differences in wines coming from each designation

Question 18

Describe the w geography and climate of Casablanca Valley.

Answer 18

Only 30km away from coast, lots of ocean influence; one of Chile’s coolest growing regions; can experience severe spring frosts

Question 19

What is the flagship grape in Chile’s San Antonio Valley and what is its important zone there?

Answer 19

Sauvignon Blanc

Leyda Valley zone; heavily influence by ocean for a very cool area

Question 20

Where do most of Chile’s simple, inexpensive reds come from?

Answer 20

Warm, fertile, flat plains in the Central Valley

Question 21

What are the four sub-regions of Chile’s Central Valley?

Answer 21

Maipo Valley
Rapel Valley (usually not found on labels)
Curicó Valley
Maule Valley

Cachapoal and Colchagua Valleys (zones in Rapel)

Question 22

What kind of wines come from Cachapoal and Colchaugua?

Answer 22

Both valley floors produce large amts of inexpensive red wine
High quality reds coming from cooler areas at higher elevation

Question 23

Where will you find Apalta? What is it known for?

Answer 23

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

Question 24

The _____ Valley has more vineyard plantings than anywhere else in Chile.

Answer 24

Maule

Question 25

Which Chilean region is known for its old vine País, Carignan, and Muscat d’Alexandria?

Answer 25

Maule Valley

Question 26

Which three sub-regions are found in Chile’s Southern Region?

Answer 26

Itata
Bío Bío
Malleco

Question 27

What is the climate of Chile’s Southern Region?

Answer 27

Little protection from the Pacific Ocean, so very cool and wet (1000+ mm/yr) but longer days during growing season because of higher latitude

Question 28

Discuss Chile’s volume vs value exported.

Answer 28

70% of production is exported, but at low average value per unit (only Spain and South Africa lower)

Question 29

Although smaller wineries are being established especially in newer regions, about ___% of Chilean wine is still produced by ___ companies.

Answer 29

80%

4 companies

Question 30

Name some important foreign investors in the Chilean wine trade.

Answer 30

Torres
Mouton Rothschild
Lafite Rothschild
Kendall-Jackson