Chile & Argentina Flashcards
Name the 6 DO’s of Chile from north to south
- Atacama
- Coquimbo
- Aconcagua
- Central Valley (Valle Central)
- Sur (Southern Regions)
- Austral Region
What is the climate in the Northern regions of Atacama and Coquimbo
Dry and dessert like, with grapes historically destined for Pisco production or tabel wines.
Where are the vineyards suitable for fine wines mainly located? And what is the climate like?
Valle Central (Central Valley) to the south of Santiago (capital).
Cool nighttime temperatures due to the proximity of the Andes, and cool sea from the maritieme Humboldt Current that flows inland through the river valleys.
Irrigation is still essential
When was Chilean wine law established?
1995
What is the required percentage for Vintage, Varietal, and Origin for Chilean wines, if listed on the bottle?
75% Domestic
85% in order to comply with EU standards for export
Only permitted varieties may be used
What is the minimum alcohol content in Chile for all wines?
11.5%
What is the minimum alcohol content for wines labelled Reserva and Reserva Especial?
12%
What is the minimum alcohol content for wines labelled Reserva Privada and Gran Reserva?
12.5% and must spend mandatory time in oak
Describe the DO Atacama
Most northern region of Chile
Viticulture is only possible through irrigation
Region’s wines are generally distilled (Pisco)
What are the sub regions of Coquimbo
- Elqui valley: high altitude, syrah is gaining attention
- Limari valley: limestone soils, fit for chardonnay
- Choapa
What are the sub regions of Aconcagua
- Aconcagua Valley
- Valle de Casablanca
- Valle de San Antonio
When became Errazuriz’s Sena famous?
Iconic Bordeaux style blend and one of the premier reds of Chile. Placed ahead of both Chateau Lafite and Chateau Margaux in the 2004 Berlin tasting.
Describe Aconcagua Valley
Sunny and dry
Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot dominate
Home to Errarzuriz wine estate
Describe Casablanca Valley
Situated along the coast
Among Chile’s coolest new winemaking zones
Porminent for fresh, crisp Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay
Sub Regions of San Antonio Valley
Leyda
Lo Abarca
Rosario
Malville
Describe San Antonio Valley
Like Casablanca, predominantly a white wine region, with also showing promising results for Pinot Noir
What are the Coastal regions of Aconcagua DO?
Casablanca valley and San Antonio
Where is Leyda located and what style of wine do they produce?
Located in the San Antonio Valley in Aconcagua. Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
What are the subregions of Central Valley DO from north to south
Maipo Valley
Rapel Valley
Curico
Maule Valley
Describe Central Valley DO
Located between the Andes and the coastal ranges
Chile’s oldest and most established wine region
Describe Maipo Valley
Chile’s most famous winemaking area
Classic region for Cabernet Sauvignon
Followed by Merlot, Chardonnay and Carmenere
How is Chile’s largest producer?
Concha y Toro (Maipo Valley)
Concha Y Toro, Santa Rita and Cousino Macul are located in what region?
Maipo Valley
Almaviva Estate
A joint project between Baron Philippe de Rotschild (Mouton Rotschild) and Concha y Toro
First vintage 1996
Bordeaux blend, dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon
Located in Puente Alto sub region of Maipo Valley (Central Valley)
“Vinedo Chadwick”
Errazuriz estate. The 2000 Venedo Chadwick took first place in the 2004 Berlin Tasting
Sub regions of Rapel Valley
Cachapoal and Colchagua
Describe Rapel Valley
Located to the south of Maipo Valley
Cabernet Sauvignon is leading followed by Merlot and the growing importance of Carmenere.
Describe Colchagua
The larger subregion of Rapel Valley. Characterized by a warm climate and fertile soils.
Bulk wine region in general
High quality wines form higher altitude subregions in the east, such as San Fernando and Chimbarongo
“Purple Angel”
One of Chile’s highest-profile Carmenere varietal wines from Calchagau fruit.
Describe Maule Valley
One of Chile’s largest regions. Mainly bulk wines meant for local consumption.
DOs of Sur (Southern Regions)
Itata
Bio Bio
Malleco
Describe DO Sur
Pais and Muscat Alexandria are the most planed grapes in Itata and Bio Bio. Malleco is a small region with just a few hectares of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Which is larger, the Cachapoal Valley or the Colchagua Valley?
Colchagua Valley
What two subregions are within Curico?
Lontué and Teno
What Current influences Chile?
The Humboldt Current
What is the Zonda (Argentina)?
A warm and dry wind that blows down from the Andes Mountains in Spring and Summer that can dry out vineyards and adversely affect flowering.
Name three geographic terms introduces by the Chilean Ministry of Agriculture
Coasta (proximity to the coast)
Entre Cordilleras (between mountains)
Andes (proximity to the Andes)
In order to qualify for one of these designations, at least 85% of the grapes must be harvested in the appropriate region.
Describe the climate of Argentina
Continental climate
Rain shadow effect caused by the Andes Mountains, little rainfall. Irrigation from the Andes is necessary.
Hazards are; Zonda wind and spring and summer hail.
Three large economic regions of Argentina:
North Region
Cuyo Region
Patagonia Region
In the north region of Argentina are the wine regions of?
Salta and Catamarca
In the Cuyo region of Argentina are the wine regions of?
La Rioja, San Juan and Mendoza
In the Patagonia region of Argentina are the wine regions of?
Nuequen, Rio Negro and la Pampa
What is the main grape variety for quality wine in Argentina?
Malbec
Jujuy
Argentina’s highest and most northerly wine region
Wine rarely get exported
Torrontes is the main variety
Salta
Generally referred to as Argentina’s most northerly wine region (although Jujuy actually is)
High elevated vineyards 1700-2400 the highest in the world, providing cooler temperatures.
Torrontes is the major white grape
Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Tannat are the main black varieties.
Cafayata Valley
Sub region of Salta
Famous for outstanding Torrontes wines
Catamarca
Immediately south of Salta
Extremely mountainous
Majority of grapes are distilled into brandy or used for local wine
Argentina’s most important black grapes:
Malbec Bonarda Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah Merlot Tempranillo
Bonarda
Argentina’s second most planted grape
Clone of Savoie’s Corbeau, known as Charbono in the United States
Argentina’s most planted white grape?
Pedro Gimenez (unrelated to Spain’s Pedro Ximenez)
Mainly used in the production of bulk wines
Torrontes
The second most planted white grape in Argentina
What is the name for Bonarda in the U.S?
Charbono
What are the pink-skinned varietals that occupy 30% of Argentina’s Acreage?
Cereza
Criolla Chica
Criolla Grande
What are the aging requirements for Reserva and Gran Reserva in Argentina?
Reserva:
6 months aging for white and 12 months for red
Gran Reserva:
12 months aging for whites and 24 months for red
Flambala Valley
Sub region of Catamarca
La Rioja
Small region to the south of Catamarca
Famatina Valley is the most important sub-region
Malbec and Torrontes are the most widely planted
San Juan
Argentina’s second largest producer of wine next to Mendoza.
The hot summer climate is ideal for grapes destined for brandy and vermouth production. Also the regions sherry style wines are reasonably good in quality
Sub-region of San Juan
Tulum Zonda Ullum Jachal Fertil Valleys
Mendoza
The center of Argentinean wine industry and the largest wine region of Argentina.
Sub-regions of Mendoza
Uco Valley (900-1400) Northern Mendoza Eastern Mendoza Central Mendoza Southern Mendoza
Uco Valley districts
Tupungato (chardonnay and semillon)
San Carlos
Tunuyan
What is the principal grape in southern Mendoza
Chenin Blanc
What is the prominent grape of Tucamán?
Torrontes
What province encompasses La Rioja, San Juan, and Mendoza?
Cuyo
What is the most famous region with la Rioja?
Famatina Valley
Lujan de Cuyo
DOC of Mendoza only Malbec is permitted
San Rafael
DOC of Mendoza in the Soutern Mendoza.
