Chile Flashcards
1
Q
When and what were the first wines made in Chile?
A
- Spanish settlers brought V. vinifera in 1550s
- planted in north, spread to Central Valley and south
- cheap oxidative styles of Pais (known as Criolla Chica in Argentina) and Muscat
2
Q
Why did Chile’s wine business expand greatly in 19th century?
A
- independence from Spain, so free to exploit vast mineral resources, then invetsed in vineyards
- 1830s experimental nursery established European vines
- 1851 Silvestre Ochagavia Echazarreta imported Bordeaux winemaker and vines
- when phylloxera hit Europe in late 19thC, many European winemakers moved to Chile
- by start 20thC big business of basic, cheap wines sold domestically
3
Q
Chile’s vineyards halved by early 1980s: what caused this decline in middle 20th Century?
A
- poor economy
- political instability and isolation
- bureaucratic regulation
- high taxes
4
Q
What happened to Chilean wine in 1980s?
A
- return to democracy and free market
- shift of focus to quality for export market
- new technology
- vineyards replanted
- new vineyard areas - valleys of Casablanca, San Antonio, and Limari
- new coastal and mountain regions
- traditional areas of Itata and Maule now being rediscovered for quality wines
5
Q
How is image of Chilean wine changing?
A
- was formulaic (uninspiring) safe, reliable, value wines
- in last 10 years very dynamic
- less extraction, less oak, more elegance
- innovation, exploration, new regions, areas and styles
6
Q
What are the 8 major influences on Chile’s climate?
A
- north - Atacama Desert
- east - Andes
- west - Pacific Ocean
- south - glaciers of Patagonia
- latitude 30°S Elqui-38°S Malleco
- Coastal Ranges
- Humboldt Current
- El Niño effect
7
Q
explain the differences between Aconcagua Costa, Aconagua Andes and Aconcagua Entre Cordilleras
A
- Aconcagua Costa (coastal influence) morning fogs/ ocean breezes free from hills, ideal conditions fresh Sauv Blanc and Chard, Pinot Noir, cool climate Syrah.
- Aconcagua Andes (mountain influence) cold night air descends from mountains to vineyards up to 1000m, large diurnal from the sunny, warm days. Ripe fruit flavoured reds, but fresh acidity.
- Aconcagua Entre Cordilleras (in between) fertile soils of valley floor (a little afternoon breeze from coast) full-bodied, high alcohol & tannins reds (Cab Sav, Merlot)
8
Q
Chile is 2nd longest country in the world, but what is the latitude of Chile’s vineyard area and how important is it to viniculture?
A
- 4300 km north to south, but average 175km wide
- only 1000 km of vineyard area from
- 30o S Elqui Valley (in the north) to
- 38o S Malleco Valley
- and 100km wide
- But Chile’s climate is q consistent from north to south; warm Mediterranean - long, dry, sunny growing season, cooler/ wetter further south.
- more climate variation west to east
- low latitude means sunlight is intense, grapes ripen reliably with high levels of tannins and anthocyanins
9
Q
Rainfall in Chile
A
- generally very low - lower in the north and inland than in the south, and 85% of Chile’s vineyards are irrigated, the Andes providing meltwater via network of rivers
- but climate change lowering snowfall (Limari snow cover 15% less in 2018 v 2014)
- the 15% is in south Itata, Bio Bio (1200mm pa); and areas of Maule (old vines, deep roots) can dry farm
- driest in north Elqui, edge Atacama Desert < 100mm pa
- dry conditions mean minimal risk from fungal disease so sustainable/organic farming widely practised
10
Q
when and why did Chile establish the Costa, Andes and Entre Cordilleras classification?
A
- 2011
- many vineyards planted in valleys that run east to west
- most climatic variations occur east to west as both the Andes and Pacific Ocean provide significant cooling influence at either end of the valleys
- Costa coastal influence
- Andes mountain influence
- Entre Cordilleras in between
11
Q
the effect of the Pacific on Chile’s climate
A
- vineyards to the west of low coastal mountains fully exposed to the cold ocean influence.
- the Humboldt current flows up from Antarctica with cold water and cold air. Warm air rises from land in day, sucks this cold air inland. Also creates morning fog - moderates coastal temps until sun burns away, but also increases humidity.
- where gaps in coastal ranges, fogs/breezes are sucked in and moderate vineyards
- El Nino phenomenon brings much higher rainfall every 2-10 years, lower rainfall/ drought in La Nina years.
12
Q
effect of El Niño in Chile
A
- El Nino phenomenon brings much higher rainfall every two to ten years and lower rainfall or drought in La Nina years.
- means vintage variations can be significant
- especially as producers increasingly planting in parts of country with more extreme climates
13
Q
describe the Atacama desert and its effect in Chile
A
- driest desert on earth
- it sits in north between Chilean coastal range and Andes, too high to gain moisture from Pacific or Atlantic
- effective barrier to diseases/pests (eg phylloxera) crossing from Argentina
- Coquimbo wine region is on edge of desert
- But reduced snowfall in Andes has led to water shortages, threat to region’s future.
14
Q
what is the coastal range in Chile?
A
- a range of low mountains (300 - 800m above sea level) along coast, protecting vineyards from cold Pacific
- where gaps, cool air sucked in, moderate temperatures
- merge with Andes in Coquimbo & Aconcagua to north of Santiago
- in south create large warm central valley between them, where high volume, inexpensive grapes grown
15
Q
soils in Chile
A
- river valleys fertile: alluvial with clay, sand, silt, gravel
- on slopes less fertile
- in coastal ranges more gravel, sand and silt
- in Andes volcanic, mainly granite, poorer
- little limestone - mainly in Limari Valley in north
- huge advance in understanding of soil and terroir in recent years, so more interest in single vineyards wines
