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South America WSET Diploma > Chile DIploma WSET > Flashcards

Chile DIploma WSET Flashcards

1
Q

How much per cent need from grapes need in DO in Chile ?

A

75% must come from the label DO, but the majority used 85% for export purpose.
The same for variety and vintage.
The appellation system set up in 1995.

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2
Q

How would you describe the 4 key geographical features of Chile?

A
  1. To the West is the Pacific Ocean
  2. Just inland are the Coastal Mountain Ranges
  3. To the East are the Andes Mountains
  4. South of Santiago is a large depression between the two mountain ranges called ‘Central Valley’.
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3
Q

What does mean Reserva, Reserva Especial ,Reserva privada and Gran Reserva?

A
  1. This can be found in red wines.
  2. It is a distinctive organoleptic quality and have a minimum of 6 month oak ageing.
  3. Wines labeled Reserva and Reserva Especial must have a minimum 12% abv.
  4. Wines labeled Reserva Privada and Gran Reserva require a minimum 12.5% abv.
  5. In addition, Reserva Especial and Gran Reserva wines spend mandatory time in oak.
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4
Q

What it is the key on the climate in Chile?

A
  1. The influence of the Pacific breeze is more important than latitude and altitude.
  2. The cold Humboldt Current flows up from Antarctica along the chilean coast.
  3. The prevailing winds blow cool air inland along the river valleys.
  4. Also this can include fog.
  5. The cooling effect of these winds is strongest where there are low mountains and where the valley close to the Pacific sea.
  6. In the vineyards close to the Andes, also is another effect caused by cold air that descends from the mountains overnight and can cause a diurnal temperature range of up to 20C.
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5
Q

What 3 things provides the cooling in Coastal areas and inside much of the Inland Mountain ranges?

A
  1. The cold Humboldt Current flows up from Antarctica
  2. Prevailing winds blow cool air inland along river valleys
  3. Coastal areas can experience fog
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6
Q

Topographically, what are conditions like between the Coastal mountains and the Andes?

A

More sheltered. Large expanses of flat land that is easier to cultivate

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7
Q

What is special about Chilean grapevines and root stock?

A

Chile’s vines are all ungrafted and phylloxera-free.

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8
Q

How would you describe the climate of Chile? What is the one risk of the climate?

A

Generally Warm Mediterranean

Dry, sunny, growing season = Grapes reliably ripen and low fungal risk.

RISK - Drought; in some places water is in short supply

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9
Q

Chile is now in the ____ largest exporter of wine and the ___ largest producer.

A

5th / 7th

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10
Q

Roughly speaking how would you describe the climate of Chile?

A

The climate of Chile is diverse but can be described generally as warm Mediterranean

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11
Q

What weather is potentially associated with El Niño and La Niña?

A

El Niño years - Rainfall can be very heavy

La Niña years - Drought may occur

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12
Q

What factors contribute to Casablanca Valley and San Antonio Valley being cooled?

What climate to they have?

A

They lie between the Pacific Ocean and the Coastal Mountains benefitting from morning fogs and afternoon winds from the Ocean.

Cool maritime climate

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13
Q

What provides the cooling in the Chilean foothills of the Andes?

A

Cold air descends from mountains overnight providing a large diurnal range.

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14
Q

Introduced in 2012 what are the 3 new terms introduced to describe where a wine is from and what do they mean?

A

Costa = From near the coast
Entre Cordilleras = Between the (mountain) ranges
Andes = From the mountain area

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15
Q

Until the 21st century, Chile was mostly planted to what grape?

A

País

It is still widely planting and used for local consumption.

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16
Q

Cabernet Sauvignon in Chile

A
  1. Half of the black grape varieties planted.
  2. Made in variety of styles from fruity to full body premium.
  3. Usually blended with Merlot, Carmenere and Syrah.
  4. The wines show intense berry fruit and capsicum.
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17
Q

What best describes a typical Carmenére wine?

A
  1. Chile’s signature grape variety.
  2. Late-ripening, most successful in warmer areas.
  3. Full-bodied, high tannin. Pungent red with velvet tannins.
  4. Very difficult to ripen the tannins and avoid herbaceous flavours without having very high alcohol levels.
  5. Overtly herbaceous when not fully ripe, but good examples achieve a balance between herbal and black fruit and red pepper aromas.
  6. Mixed on vineyard with Merlot.
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18
Q

Syrah in Chile

A

Areas such as San Antonio produce high quality Syrah with ripe, black fruits backed up by a subtle pepperines.
2. The premium expressions especially in the cooler coastal or northerly regions such as the Elqui Valley are already thought to be among the best wines in Chile.

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19
Q

Pinot Noir in Chile

A
  1. It is showing great promise, especially in San Antonio and Casablanca.
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20
Q

Sauvignon Blanc in Chile

A
  1. 1 of the 3 grape variety that dominated the plantings.
  2. Sauvignon Blanc has benefited from the development of new, cooler vineyard sites from Casablanca and San Antonio removing Sauvignonasse.
  3. The coastal vineyards are now yielding excellent fruity Sauvignon Blancs.
  4. Producers generally try to avoid excessive herbaceousness. The result: high alcohol as well as riper fruit.
  5. New plantings are showing clean, ripe and tropical fruit, and generally avoiding the extreme herbaceous notes that characterise many other Sauvignon Blanc.
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21
Q

Chardonnay in Chile

A
  1. Ripe and healthy fruit leads to a purity of flavour.
  2. Crisp citrus and apple characters are usually complemented by toast and caramel characters from oak treatment.
  3. Chardonnay in Chile have been made in a modern international style with ripe fruit and oak flavours.
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22
Q

Viticulture in Chile

A
  1. Chile has many viticultural advantages.
  2. The dry, sunny growing season ensures that the grapes reliably ripen and fungal diseases are kept to a minimum.
  3. Develop organic viticulture due to this one.
  4. High yields are commonplace, but not incompatible with high fruit quality.
  5. Low rain means irrigation is essential, snow melt from the Andes provides the water for drip irrigation.
  6. Drip irrigation has lead to an increasing problem with nematodes.
  7. Despite Chile is phylloxera free status many new plantings are on grafted rootstock with nematode resistance.
  8. Chile now is stimulated focus on export market and the need to remain competitive by improving quality and diversity.
  9. With new technology, the winemakers now are exploit better the unique terroirs in new areas, taking the advantage of the variety of soils and climates that exist.
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23
Q

What are growing conditions like in the Aconcagua Valley?

What 3 grapes would you find there?

A

The vineyards on the fertile valley floor are some of the warmest growing conditions in Chile.

Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot / Carmenère

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24
Q

What grape has Leyda Valley gained an excellent reputation for growing?

A

Sauvignon Blanc

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25
Q

How would you describe the climate of Aconcagua Valley?

A

Flat, fertile and very warm

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26
Q

Which Chilean winery is not only the largest in Chile, but also in the whole of South America?

A

Concha y Toro

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27
Q

What 2 black and 2 white grapes do well in Casablanca Valley and San Antonio Valley?

A

Syrah / Pinot Noir

Sauvignon Blanc / Chardonnay

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28
Q

Carmenère is usually harvested after Cabernet Sauvignon.

Why is this?

A

Underripe Carmenere grapes produce wine with unpleasant, undesirable green flavors. Harvesting it later minimizes these green flavors and maximizes fruit notes.

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29
Q

How would you describe the climate of Casablanca and San Antonio Valleys?

A

Cool, between the sea and Coastal mountain ranges.

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30
Q

What is the most widely grown grape variety in Chile?

A

Cabernet Sauvignon

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31
Q

What factors contribute to Casablanca Valley and San Antonio Valley being cooled?

What climate to they have?

A

They lie between the Pacific Ocean and the Coastal Mountains benefitting from morning fogs and afternoon winds from the Ocean.

Cool maritime climate

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32
Q

What are the 3 sub-regions of the Aconcagua Region and what is the renowned Zone within one of the subregions?

A
  1. Aconcagua Valley
  2. Casablanca Valley
  3. San Antonio Valley containing Leyda Valley Zone
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33
Q

The Aconcagua Valley

A
  1. It is a steep sided narrow valley that enjoys somo cooling influences from ocean and the mountains.
  2. It offers the warmest growing conditions in Chile.
  3. It is a classic red wine area where Cabernet Sauvignon is dominated, but mixed with Syrah and Carmenere.
  4. Reds from Aconcagua Valley had rich , ripe fruit flavours with high alcohol and tannins.
  5. In recent years producers have been looking for reduce alcohol and find more freshness and complex fruit flavours.
  6. Now, vineyard are place more onto slopes in cooler wester end valley.
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34
Q

Casablanca and San Antonio in Chile

A
  1. Share similitudes.
  2. Both lie between the coastal mountains and the Pacific.
  3. It has a cooler sites thanks to morning fogs and afternoon winds that blow in oof the ocean.
  4. Result: more white wines than red.
  5. Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay dominates but it is the Sauvignon Blanc that has gained the greatest reputation particularly in San Antonio and in Leyda Valley.
  6. Pinot Noir also is benefited from the cooler climate but it is Syrah in Casablanca, most successful.
  7. In Casablanca, where it is planted in the warmer and higher vineyard sites in the east giving well-structured wines with a spice herbal edge.
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35
Q

Tell me the regions from Central Valley Region in Chile

A
  1. Maipo
  2. Rapel ( Cachapoal y Colchagua)
  3. Curicó
  4. Maule
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36
Q

Central Valley in Chile

A
  1. South of Santiago towards to Itata.
  2. Warm flat region with good supplied with water from the Andes.
  3. The majority of vineyard in Chile there are placed here.
  4. Grapes ripen easily. Reputation of value for money wines.
  5. Producers are looking to exploit better sites within the valley.
37
Q

Maipo Valley

A
  1. It is inside of Central Valley Region in Chile.
  2. It is the heartland of the Chile wine industry due to its proximity from the capitol.
  3. Surrounded by mountains
  4. The premium sites are in the Andean foothills, with ai cooled by the descending air.
  5. Maipo has a Cabernet Sauvignon that can often show a minty character to it.
38
Q

Rapel Valley

A

Inside of Central Valley Region in Chile.
It is subdivided in 2 areas by 2 different rivers that run off towards the west.
Cachapoal Zone: is the norther valley. It is warm area cut off from the ocean breezes. Carmenere and Cabernet Sauvignon performing well in the cooler eastern end of the valley.
Colchagua includes Raper river up to the coast. It is warm with a bit ocean influence.
It is well know for full bodied reds. Considerable foreign invest and it show great promise.
Some vineyards have been planted in valley slopes like Apalta ( that have gained a premium reputation).
Cooling Pacific influences becomes greater for white wines growing reputation.

39
Q

The Curicó y Maulé in Central Valley in Chile

A
  1. Together form the largest vineyard area in Chile.
  2. The warmth, rich soils and the abundant supply of water, offer important sources of fruit for inexpensive blended wines.
  3. The vineyard in Maule are cooler and the wines retain a higher acidity, which is a useful ingrediente for blenders.
  4. Increasing effort to exploit the better sites and old vines, particularly on the warm west facing slopes of the coastal mountains.
    Good sample, the Empredado from Miguel Torres in the western Maule where Priorat-like soils and climates exist.
40
Q

The Southern Region in Chile

A
  1. Has 3 different sub-region: Itata, Bio Bio y Mallueco.
  2. The climate is noticeably cooler and wetter if you go more south.
  3. Summer daytime 30C and in Itata rain 1000 millimetres , what it is mean fungal disease is more widespread here.
  4. In Itata and Bio Bio are dominated by Pais and Muscat of Alexandría for local wines consumption.
  5. Increasing interested in high quality white and red grapes for their acidity and the aromatic qualities, like Riesling and Gewurztraminer.
  6. The full potential of this area has yet to be explored.
  7. Mallueco, in the south, is attracting interest for premium producers.
  8. At the moment are on trial. At the moment do not have a DO, but possibly in the future.
41
Q

Coquimbo Region in Chile

A

1.Northern most wine region in Chile.
2.Important for Pisco production.
3. Elquí Valley, northen most region and also highest region in Chile, with vineyard up to 2000m.
Altitude creates long, cool growing conditions perfect for Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah production.
4. Limari Valley. Situated on an east or west valley, this region benefits from morning fogs flowing in from the Pacific which cool the climate allowing for fine wine production.
Low rainfall 80-100 mm per year…need drip irrigation.

42
Q

Apalta is a region on the ____side of ____Valley.

Identify 2 top producers from Apalta and their top wines.

What kinds of wines are these?

A

Eastern side of Colchagua Valley.

Casa Lapostolle’s “Clos Apalta”

Viña Montes “Alpha M”

Bordeaux-style blends

43
Q

Which region is developing a reputation for Old Bush Vine Carignan in Chile?

A

Maule Valley

44
Q

What is a constraint to grape growing in Coquimbo Region?

A

Irrigation is essential but very expensive due to lack of water resources.

45
Q

What are growing conditions like in the Aconcagua Valley?

What 3 grapes would you find there?

A

The vineyards on the fertile valley floor are some of the warmest growing conditions in Chile.

Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot / Carmenère

46
Q

What it the term in Chile for Wines of Origin?

A

Denominaciones de Origen (DO)

47
Q

Who produces “Clos Apalta?”

A

Casa Lapostolle

48
Q

Topographically, what are conditions like between the Coastal mountains and the Andes?

A

More sheltered. Large expanses of flat land that is easier to cultivate

49
Q

The País grape is also known by which 3 synonyms?

A

Mission

Criolla Chica

Listan Prieto

50
Q

Which subregion of Coquimbo has lowest wine production?

A

Choapa Valley

51
Q

Montes, Neyen, and Lapostolle all call what DO zone home?

A

Colchagua Valley inside of the Rapel area, inside of the Central Valley.

52
Q

Which region is famed for its Carmenere?

Identify a top producer / wine made from Carmenere:

A

Colchagua Valley

Viña Montes’ “Purple Angel”

53
Q

Los Vascos winery ( Colchagua inside of Rapel) is owned by which famous First Growth property in Bordeaux?

A

Chateau Lafite Rothschild

54
Q

Rapel Valley is subdivided into 2 zones, what are they?

A

Cachapoal Valley and Colchagua Valley

55
Q

What is the white wine that makes Limari Valley stand out?

A

Chile’s best Chardonnay

56
Q

What 3 sub regions make up Coquimbo Region and what contributes to them making good wine?

A

Elqui Valley, Limari Valley and Choapa Valley.

Brilliant sunshine and marked cooling from sea breezes or mountain air

57
Q

How would you describe the climate of Aconcagua Valley?

A

Flat, fertile and very warm

58
Q

Which wine region near Santiago has the warmest climate?

A

Maipo

59
Q

Pisco production is most prominent in which Chilean region?

A

In Coquimbo Region in the north of Chile.

60
Q

What is Chile’s most planted white grape?

A

Sauvignon Blanc

61
Q

What are conditions like in Curicó Valley and Maule Valley and what is mainly grown there?

A

It’s warm and the soils are fertile. Mainly grapes for bulk red and white blends, but Cabernet Sauvignon has become the star variety, producing full-bodied, intensely concentrated wines from ancient, low-yielding vines.

62
Q

Which of these wine regions is the most southerly - Maipo, Limari, Bio Bio?

A

Bio Bio

63
Q

What is the climate like in Chile’s Southern region and which grapes perform well there?

A

Cooler and wetter the further south they are located.

País and Muscat of Alexandria are most planted

Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are cultivated in tiny amounts in Malleco Valley.

64
Q

Where are the best vineyards in Maipo Valley located and what are they renowned for producing?

Many established houses are based due to:

3 major producers are:

A

In Central Valley area.
Located in the Andean foothills

A reputation for producing Cabernet Sauvignon with a ‘minty’ character

Its proximity to Santiago.

Concha y Toro

Santa Rita

Cousiño Macul

65
Q

What 2 black and 2 white grapes do well in Casablanca Valley and San Antonio Valley?

A

Syrah / Pinot Noir

Sauvignon Blanc / Chardonnay

66
Q

Arrange the following regions from north to south (1 = northernmost, 5 = southernmost).

A
  1. Limari Valley
  2. Casablanca Valley
  3. Maipo Valley
  4. Curicó Valley
  5. Itata Valley
67
Q

Almaviva Winery is a joint project between:

What type of wine is produced?

Where are they located (sub-region / DO)?

A

Concha y Toro and Baron Philippe de Rothschild.

Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated blend, with Carmenére, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc.

Puente Alto DO / Maipo Valley / Central Valley

68
Q

Which 3 sub regions make up Chile’s South Region?

A
  1. Itata Valley
  2. Bio Bio Valley
  3. Malleco Valley
69
Q

Carmenère is usually harvested after Cabernet Sauvignon.

Why is this?

A

Underripe Carmenere grapes produce wine with unpleasant, undesirable green flavors. Harvesting it later minimizes these green flavors and maximizes fruit notes.

70
Q

Viñedo Chadwick, Almaviva, and Concha y Toro’s “Don Melchor” are all produced out of what Chilean subregion?

A

Maipo Valley

71
Q

How would you describe the climate of Casablanca and San Antonio Valleys?

A

Cool, between the sea and Coastal mountain ranges.

72
Q

Limari Valley has a growing reputation for high quality ____.

What 2 climatic features contribute to its success?

A

Chardonnay.

Limestone soils / Cooler Coastal Climate

73
Q

Elqui Valley has a growing reputation for high quality ____.

What climatic feature contributes to its success?

A

Syrah

Cool, high-altitude vineyard sites.

74
Q

What are the 4 sub regions (and 2 sub-sub-regions) of the Central Valley Region?

A

Maipo Valley

Rapel Valley - divided into Cachapoal and Colchagua

Curicó Valley

Maule Valley

75
Q

What is the most widely grown grape variety in Chile?

A

Cabernet Sauvignon

76
Q

Identify 3 Chilean wineries that were founded in the 19th Century:

A
  1. Concha y Toro
  2. Cousiño Macul
  3. Santa Rita
77
Q

Which Chilean region lies directly across the Andes from Argentina’s Mendoza?

A

Maipo Valley

78
Q

Which Chilean winery produces “Casa Real?”

What grape is used?

What is the wine’s DO?

A

Santa Rita

100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Maipo Valley DO

79
Q

The winery of Errázuriz is located in which commune of which DO?

What is their claim to fame?

Which other top wine do they produce?

A

Panquehue.

Errázuriz’s “Seña,” an iconic Bordeaux-style blend and one of the premier reds of Chile, placed ahead of both Château Lafite and Château Margaux in the 2004 Berlin Tasting—a milestone for the Chilean wine industry likened to the famous 1976 Judgment of Paris.

“Viñedo Chadwick”

80
Q

How would you describe the climate in Cachapoal Valley (Rapel Valley, Central Valley)

A

Warm, surrounded by mountains, no ocean influence

81
Q

Working from North to South what are the 6 main DO regions of Chile?

A

Atacama DO

Coquimbo DO

Aconcagua DO

Central Valley (Valle Central) DO

Sur DO

Austral DO

82
Q

What factors contribute to Casablanca Valley and San Antonio Valley being cooled?

What climate to they have?

A

They lie between the Pacific Ocean and the Coastal Mountains benefitting from morning fogs and afternoon winds from the Ocean.

Cool maritime climate

83
Q

What are the 3 sub-regions of the Aconcagua Region and what is the renowned Zone within one of the subregions?

A

Aconcagua Valley

Casablanca Valley

San Antonio Valley containing Leyda Valley Zone

84
Q

What is the climate like in Cachapoal Valley and Colchagua Valley and what 4 black grapes are largely grown there?

A

Cachapoal: Northerly warm area, cut off from ocean breezes.

Colchagua: More southerly, central part of valley is warm and open to some ocean influence.

Carmenére / Merlot on warm valley floor Cab Sav and Syrah is cooler parts

85
Q

Puente Alto is located in which Chilean region?

A

Maipo Valley

86
Q

How would you describe the climate of Coquimbo region? ( South of Chile)

Where are some vineyards now being planted?

A

Brilliant sunshine with cooling influences from sea breezes and mountain air.

Some vineyards now planted at very high altitude.

87
Q

What provides the cooling in the Chilean foothills of the Andes?

A

Cold air descends from mountains overnight providing a large diurnal range.

88
Q

What is the largest growing area in Chile?

A

Central Valley (Valle Central DO)

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