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WSET3 > Chile & Argentina > Flashcards

Chile & Argentina Flashcards

1
Q

Between what geographic features is Chile located

A

Pacific and Coastal Mtn ranges o the West and the Andes to the East

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2
Q

Over what area do the vineyards of Chile span N - S and E-W

A

900 Km N-S and 100km E-W

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3
Q

What lies to the S of Santiago in between the two mountain ranges

A

Central Valley

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4
Q

generally speaking what is the climate of Chile’s vineyards

A

Warm Mediterranean

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5
Q

What do the dry sunny summers ensure

A

Full ripening of the grapes and fungal disease is rare

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6
Q

What are weather conditions further south

A

Cooler and wetter

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7
Q

What 2 weather phenomena can influence Chile’s weather significantly - how

A

El Nino and La Nina can increase rain significantly in El Nino years while drought can occur in La Nina years

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8
Q

What is the weather phenomenon that flows up from Antarctica along the coast

A

The cold Humboldt Current

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9
Q

What do the prevailing winds do to the vineyards closer to the Pacific

A

Push cool air inland along river valleys and where the coastal ranges are lower

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10
Q

What cooling effect occurs in vineyards in the foothills of the Andes

A

Cold air flows down from the mountains at night causing a large diurnal swing

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11
Q

What 2 weather effects cause change in Chile’s labelling system in 2012

A

Cooling effect of ocean breezes and cold night time air flow off the mountains

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12
Q

What 2 types of grape farming are commonly practiced in Chile

A

Sustainable and Organic

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13
Q

Which color grape accounts for the largest plantings in Chile. What is the most widely planted grape….what range of styles is it made into

A

Black grapes. Cabernet

Light fruity and simple to full bodied premium wines having very ripe black fruit and a herbaceous character

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14
Q

What is Cabernet frequently blended with in Chile

A

Carmeiere, Merlot or Syrah

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15
Q

What style of Merlot is produced in Chile

A

A range from inexpensive med bodied and fruity ( export ) to premium fuller bodied complex wines

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16
Q

When does Cameniere ripen and what kind of sites is ti best suited to

A

Late ripening suited to warmest sunniest sites

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17
Q

What is the profile of Carmenere

A

Full body, high tannin. The best examples have a nice balance between black fruit and herbaceous notes

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18
Q

Where is Syrah made in a lighter more peppery style

A

cooler coastal regions or areas further North like Elqui Valley

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19
Q

Where is Syrah made in a fuller bodied more intense black fruit style

A

Hotter sites like Colchagua Valley

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20
Q

Where is Pinot Noir being made successfully in Chile

A

Cooler sites like the San Antonio and Casablanca Valleys

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21
Q

What varietals dominate white grape growing in Chile

A

SB and Chardonnay

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22
Q

Where in Chile is SB successfully grown

A

cooler sites like Casablanca and San Antonio valleys

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23
Q

What is the profile of SB from Chile

A

High acidity and intense fruity flavors of ripe apple, citrus and tropical fruit. Sometimes have herbaceous notes

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24
Q

Are Chilean SBs oaked - what other winemaking technique is sometimes applied

A

Oak is used sometimes. Lees stirring

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25
Q

What style is Chardonnay made in

A

Typically the international style with ripe fruit and oak but more restrained versions are also appearing

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26
Q

What 3 areas are known for producing a more elegant style of Chardonnay.

A

Limari Valley, Casablanca Valley Aconcagua Valley

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27
Q

What is the 3rd most widely planted white grape. What is it typically used for

A

Muscat of Alexandria. Used mostly for Piso, a grape brandy

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28
Q

Apart from SB, Chardonnay and Muscat which other white grapes can be found in Chile - where ?

A

Viognier, Riesling and Gewurz can be found in cooler regions like Bio Bio and Itata Valleys

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29
Q

Within Chile’s GI scheme how many DOs are there. What does DO stand for

A

4.

Denominaciones de Origen

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30
Q

What are the 4 DOs of Chile. What are these divided into

A

Coquimbo, Aconcagua, Central Valley, and Southern Region. These are divided into 13 subregions that follow the valleys that run from the Andes to the Pacific in the west

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31
Q

What are the subregions often divided into - why

A

The subregions are large so are often divided into zones with a similar climate

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32
Q

What was the new classification brought in in 2012

A

To classify the wines according to their distance from the coast rather than by latitude

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33
Q

What are the 3 additional terms that may now be shown on a wine label as a result of the 2012 revision

A

Costa ( coastal wines ), Entre Cordilleras ( area between the mountain ranges ) and Andes for areas in the foothills

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34
Q

What other labelling terms are recognised under Chilean law. How much meaning do these terms carry

A

reserva, reserva especial, reserva privada and gran reserva. They carry little meaning but can be useful as an indicator of quality.

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35
Q

Where is Coquimbo and what does it border. What are its 3 sub regions

A

Furthest north bordering the Atacama Desert

Elqui Valley, Limari Valley and Choapa Valley

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36
Q

Comment on the production in Coquimbo compared to other sites further south

A

It is low volume but usually high in quality

37
Q

What do all 3 subregions of Coquimbo share in common

A

Brilliant sunlight and cooling influences of either the ocean or the mountains

38
Q

What do Elqui Valley and Limari Valley already have a reputation

A

Elqui - SB and Syrah

Limari - Chardonnay

39
Q

What are the 3 subregions of Aconcagua

A

Aconcagua Valley, Casablanca Valley and San Antonio Valley

40
Q

Describe the sub region of Aconcagua Valley. What is its climate

A

A steep sided narrow valley that has cooling influences from the ocean and the Andes. Even so it has some of the warmest growing conditions in Chile

41
Q

What grapes dominate in the Aconcagua Valley. What are the wine styles

A

Cabernet, Syrah and Carmenere
Traditionallty full bodied with rich ripe fruit flavors, high alcohol and tannins. More modern style is for lower ABV and more complex fresh fruit flavors

42
Q

Where were vines traditionally planted in the Aconcagua Valley. How is this changing

A

On the fertile valley floor. The move away from big bold high alcohol wines has resulted in more plantings on the valley walls

43
Q

What characteristics do the Casablanca and San Antonio Valleys share. What grape varietals flourish as a result of this

A

They have similar climates, they are both between the coastal mts and the Pacific. They both have the cooling effects of morning fog and afternoon wind. As a result white grape varietals esp SB dominate

44
Q

Where in the San Antonio Valley is known for SB…what other grapes are grown here successfully

A

In the especially cool zone of Leyda Valley. Chardonnay and Pinot

45
Q

What black grape is successfully grown in Casablanca Valley. What is its profile

A

Syrah. Well structured and peppery

46
Q

From where to where does the Central Valley run. What wines are it’s focus

A

South from Santiago to the Itata Valley. Inexpensive bulk wines made from Chardonnay and Merlot

47
Q

Into what 4 subregions is the Central Valley divided. One of these is further divided into 2 zones - which one and what are the zones

A

Maipo, Rapel, Curico and Maule Valleys

Rapel is divided into Cachapoal and Colchagua Valleys

48
Q

What is the historic center of the Chilean wine industry. Describe its location

A

Maipo Valley due to it’s proximity to Santiago. Surrounded by Mts it sees very little coastal influence but vineyards in the Andean foothills are cooled by falling mountain air

49
Q

What wine is Maipo known for …what distinctive flavor characteristic do the wines have

A

Cabernet. Minty

50
Q

What is grown in the Cachapoal Valley zone of the Rapel Valley

A

Carmenere grows successfully on the warmer valley floors while Cabernet and Syrah do well on the cooler eastern end

51
Q

What is grown in the Colchagua Valley zone of the Rapel Valley

A

Cantral part of the valley is warm and open to ocean influence. Cabernet, Carmenere and Syrah do well here. Vineyards have increasinly been planted on the valley walls. Apalta is gaining in reputation

52
Q

What 2 subregions are at the southern end of the Central Valley. What wines are produced here

A

Curico and Maule Valleys. Bulk fruity simple inexpensive blended red and white wines

53
Q

Which is the cooler of the 2 subregions in the south of the Central Valley. What effect does this have on the wine

A

Maule valley is cooler than Curico meaning it’s wines retain more acid

54
Q

What old bush vines are currently being exploited by winemakers in Curico and Maule Valleys

A

Carignan

55
Q

What are the 3 subregions of the Southern Region

A

Itata, Bio Bio and Malleco Valleys

56
Q

What dominates the output of Bio Bio and Itata…what market is this destined for. What other wines are showing great promise from here

A

Pais and Muscat of Alexandria consumed locally

Pinot and Chardonnay

57
Q

Where is Malleco Valley and what is grown there

A

The most southerly of the Southern region - Pinot and Chardonnay

58
Q

At what altitude are the best regions of Argentina. What 2 grapes are most famous

A

1000m or more. Malbec and Torrontes

59
Q

Where are most of Argentina’s vineyards

A

Close to the Andes, from Salta in the North to Rio Negro and Neuquen in Patagonia

60
Q

Where in Argentina are the vineyards at more than 2000m

A

Cafeyette in Salta

61
Q

Historically what system of training was used in Argentina….what is this called locally. What is now becoming more common

A

Pergola ( Parral ). Vertical trellising

62
Q

What type of irrigation is commonly used in Argentina

A

Flood irrigation but drip is found in more modern wineries

63
Q

What is a common hazard during growing season. What do growers do to mitigate

A

Summer hail. Growers use netting. Spring frosts can be an issue

64
Q

What practice is a common form of risk mitigation among Argentinian growers. Apart from damage limitation what other advantage does this have

A

Owning plots of land in different places. Advantageous at blending time

65
Q

What is the profile of typical Argentinian Malbec

A

Dark, full bodied, high level of smooth tannins, concentrated black fruit.

66
Q

How do Malbecs from different regions in Argentina compare

A

Those from lower elevations are deeper, more full bodied and concentrated. Those from higher elevations are more elegant with fresher more floral aromas

67
Q

What is Malbec blended with in Argentina

A

Cabernet, Petite Verdot, Merlot, Cabernet Franc

68
Q

What is the second most planted grape in Argentina, when does it ripen and what is its profile

A

Bonarda, late ripening. Deeply colored, high acid, high tannin, raspberry and blackberry aromas

69
Q

Where is Bonarda typically grown

A

Medoza and San Juan

70
Q

Is Malbec typically aged in oak

A

Yes. Most Malbec shows spicy oak flavors

71
Q

What international red grapes are grown in Argentina

A

Cabernet, Syrah, Merlot as well as Pinot and Tempranillo

72
Q

Where is Torrontes grown, where is it best. What is its profile

A

Salta, San Juan, La Rioja and Mendoza. Cafayate region of Salta Province. Intense fruit and floral aromas with flavors of melon and stone fruit

73
Q

How is Chardonnay typically matured in Argentina

A

Matured in oak a proportion of which is new

74
Q

Apart from Chardonnay what other white grapes are grown in Argentina

A

Viognier, Chenin Blanc, SB, Semillon

75
Q

What is the most widely planted white grape in Argentina

A

Pedro Gimenez

76
Q

Describe the Argentinian GI system

A

Vineyard region split into 3 regions, split into provinces, split into departments

77
Q

What is the most Northerly of Argentina’s provinces

A

Salta on the border with Bolivia. Some vineyards are at 3000m

78
Q

Apart from Torrontes what other grapes are planted in Cafayate

A

Malbec and Cabernet

79
Q

What province has the 3rd largest production in Argentina. Where is the main vineyard area and what is planted there. How are it’s wines labelled

A

La Rioja. Famatina Valley grows Torrontes, Cabernet, Bonarda, Syrah. Wines are labelled Famatina to avoid confusion with Rioja in Spain.

80
Q

What is Argentina’s second most important province and what is grown there

A

San Juan, 400 - 1400m above sea level. Syrah, Malbec, Cabernet, Bonarda, Chardonnay, Viognier

81
Q

What is the most important wine making region in Argentina. Into what 5 areas is it split

A

Mendoza province. Northern, Eastern, Central, Uco Valley and Southern

82
Q

What regions of Mendoza tend to focus on high volume wine. What is the source of irrigation in these areas

A

North and Eastern. The Mendoza river

83
Q

Which region of Mendoza has a reputation for producing premium wines. in particular which department is known for its fine Malbec. What altitude is it at

A

Central. Lujan De Cuyo. 900 to 1200 m

84
Q

What department is to the east of Lujan de Cuyo. What is grown there

A

Maipu. Syrah and Cabernet dominate. Also Bonarda and Tempranillo

85
Q

Where is the Uco Valley, what altitude and what is grown here

A

SW of Mendoza. 900 - 1500m. Chardonnay, Torrontes, SB, Malbec, Cabernet, Merlot and Tempranillo

86
Q

What is the high altitude area in Uco Valley increasingly known for it’s high quality wines

A

Tupungato

87
Q

Where in Southern Mendoza is one of the coolest locations in the Province and has the countries most significant plantings of Chenin Blanc

A

San Rafael

88
Q

What are the 2 provinces of Patagonia. What is the cooling influence here. What are the challenges for growers

A

Rio Negro and Neuquen. Latitude. The altitude is only 200 - 250 m. High wind

89
Q

Describe the climate of Patagonia - what grapes are grown there

A

Long days, cool nights mean concentrated fully ripe grapes with high acidity. SB, Pinot, Malbec and Merlot al make premium wines in Rio Negro

WSET3 (25 decks)

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