Chile

Question 1

When did the history of sparkling wine in Chile begin? Who was responsible?

Answer 1

The mid-nineteenth century by Valdivieso

Question 2

What is the trend in Chilean sparkling wine production?

Answer 2

The category has grown rapidly in recent years

Question 3

What is the typical style of Chilean sparkling wine?

Answer 3

Tank fermented and fruity. Brut and slightly sweeter are the common styles.

Traditional method wines are also made

Question 4

What are the principle varieties used in Chilean sparkling wine?

Answer 4

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Sauvignon Blanc

Question 5

What is the range of quality and pricing of Chilean sparkling wine?

Answer 5

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.

Question 6

Where are the grapes for Chilean sparkling wine grown?

Answer 6

The cooler climates near the coast, in the Andean foothills, or in the milder southern regions

Question 7

When are grapes for sparkling wine harvested in Chile?

Answer 7

Depending on the region, between early February and the first week of March

Question 8

True or False

Both inexpensive and premium Chilean sparkling wines will be a blend of grapes from different valleys.

Answer 8

False. Premium sparkling wines come from specified regions while inexpensive sparkling wines will come from multiple valleys

Question 9

What are the key regions for Chilean sparkling wine production?

Answer 9

Casablanca, San Antonio (Leyda), and Limarí, all cooled by the Pacific, are key

Curicó and Bío Bío are also important

Question 10

What is unique about the cooling influences on Curicó?

Answer 10

Curicó is cooled by both the Pacific Ocean and the Andes

Question 11

Which Chilean regions are historically known for growing Moscatel and País?

Answer 11

Itata and Maule

Question 12

What vineyard management technique is important in Chile’s sparkling wine regions? Why?

Answer 12

Irrigation, due to the dry climate in the country. Only Itata is the exception as it receives higher levels of rainfall

Question 13

How is the harvest for sparkling wine grapes in Chile conducted?

Answer 13

Predominantly by hand due to the country’s steep slopes and the presence of bush vines, though machine harvesting is feasible in some areas.

Question 14

What is the most common production method for sparkling wine in Chile? What percentage of the category does it comprise?

Answer 14

Tank method accounts for 90% of the country’s sparkling wine production

Question 15

True or False

Chile produces sparkling wine with older equipment, most of which dates to the mid-1970s

Answer 15

False. Chile has very modern, recently acquired equipment with which to produce sparkling wines

Question 16

What advantage in Chilean wineries has allowed the sparkling wine market of the country to rapidly expand?

Answer 16

Very modern, recently acquired equipment

Question 17

What grapes are commonly used in the production of Chilean tank method wines?

Answer 17

Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc

Question 18

What grapes are commonly used in the production of Chilean traditional method wines?

Answer 18

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, País, and Moscatel

Question 19

What types of traditional method wines is País used to make in Chile?

Answer 19

Blanc de Noirs or rosé

Question 20

What system is used to describe the level of residual sugar in Chilean sparkling wines?

Answer 20

The same as that used in the EU

Question 21

True or False

A few large companies dominate Chile’s sparkling wine market

Answer 21

True

Question 22

Who are the main producers of sparkling wine in Chile?

Answer 22

Valdivieso, Viña Mar, Undurraga, Concha y Toro, Aguirre, La Rosa, Cono Sur, and Miguel Torres

Question 23

Which Chilean sparkling wine producer is responsible for a third of the country’s sparkling wine volume?

Answer 23

Valdivieso

Question 24

What percentage of Chile’s sparkling wine is consumed domestically? What is the trend?

Answer 24

Over 66% and growing rapidly

Question 25

How much sparkling wine is consumed in Chile per capita? What percentage of that is locally produced?

Answer 25

1.2 liters per capita, 95% of which is Chilean

Question 26

What has been the trend in Chilean sparkling wine exports? Which countries are the major markets?

Answer 26

Japan (over a third)

Columbia

Brazil