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CMS - Study Guide > Chile - General Facts > Flashcards

Chile - General Facts Flashcards

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Introductory Sommelier Exam (CMS) flashcards
1
Q

Where is Chile ranked in terms of overall wine production in the world?

A

Chile is the 10th largest producer of wine in the world

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2
Q

What is the general geography of Chile? Size of the country?

A

Almost 3,000 miles long and rarely exceeding 100 miles wide

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3
Q

Why is Chile’s geography unique?

A

The country is one of the most isolated countries in the world - Bordered by the coastal mountain range in the east (creating a rainshadow) the Atacama Desert in the north, antarctic islands to the south and Andes to the east.

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4
Q

What is the climate of Chile and the factors that affect it?

A

Chile’s climate varies from the extremely hot Atacama Desert in the north to the cool southern regions of Patagonia.

The majority of the vines are grown in Valle Central, which is a warm to hot Mediterranean climate.

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5
Q

What are the effects of the Coastal Mountain Range on Valle Central?

A

It creates a rain shadow that blocks the cool moist air from the Pacific Ocean, creating a warm Mediterranean growing climate.

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6
Q

What is the name of the large body of water that borders Chile?

A

The Pacific Ocean

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7
Q

What is the name of the current in the Pacific Ocean that has an affect on the weather?

A

The icy Humboldt current brings cool, moist air and fog to the coastal areas.

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8
Q

What were the benefits of being one of the most isolated countries in the world?

A

It protected the country from Phylloxera and other vine diseases. This eliminates the need to use pesticides and chemical treatments in the vineyard.

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9
Q

What are the benefits of the Andes mountains as one of Chile’s natural borders?

A

Rivers created from melting snow and ice from the Andes brings snowmelt water for irrigation.

Farmers use this water to dig gullies and canals that is then used to flood the vineyards during the rainless summers.

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10
Q

What are the disadvantages of the climate in Valle Central?

A

There is virtually no rainfall in the summer. Farmers must dig canals to re-direct melting water from the Andes in order for irrigation to flood their vineyards.

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11
Q

What is the regional wine law system called in Chile?

A

Denominación de Origen.

Very similar to the AVA system in the US for denoting geographic origin
– Minimum 75% must be from the region

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12
Q

What are the 6 DO’s in Chile? (From North to South)

A
  1. Atacama
  2. Coquimbo
  3. Aconcagua
  4. Valle Central
  5. Sur
  6. Astral
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13
Q

What is the minimum percentage of wine that must be from the region for DO status?

A

75%

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14
Q

What is the minimum percentage of the varietal that must be in the wine for varietal labeling?

A

75% of stated variety. And no hybrids - Vitis vinifera ONLY

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15
Q

What is required for vintage labeling?

A

75% of stated year

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16
Q

What are the major white grape varietals in Chile?

A

Chardonnay

Sauvignon Blanc

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17
Q

What are the major red grape varietals in Chile?

A

Cabernet
Merlot
Carmenère (long mistaken for Merlot)
Syrah

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18
Q

What are the major wine regions in Chile? What DO are they under?

A

Aconcagua DO
– Aconcagua Valley DO
– San Antonio DO
– Casablanca Valley DO

Valle Central DO
– Maipo Valley DO — most famous, best known for Cabernet Sauvignon
– Curicó DO
– Rapel DO (Cachapoal Valley & Colchagua Valley)
– Maule Valley DO

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19
Q

What are the sub-regions of the Aconcagua DO?

A

Aconcagua DO
– Aconcagua Valley DO (Subregion)
– Casablanca Valley DO (Subregion)
– San Antonio DO (Subregion)

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20
Q

What are the sub-regions of the Valle Central DO?

A

– Maipo Valley DO — most famous, best known for Cabernet Sauvignon
– Curicó DO
– Rapel DO (Cachapoal Valley & Colchagua Valley)
– Maule Valley DO

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21
Q

What valleys are often referred to together as Rapel Valley?

A

Cachapoal Valley & Colchagua Valley

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22
Q

Which regions are allowed for Pisco production?

A

Atacama and Coquimbo are dry and desert-like, with grapes historically destined for Pisco production or the table wine

23
Q

What is Pisco?

A

Pisco is a type of brandy, which is to say that it’s a spirit distilled from wine or fermented fruit juice.

Pisco is a colorless or yellowish-to-amber colored brandy produced in winemaking regions of Peru[1] and Chile.[2] Made by distilling fermented grape juice into a high-proof spirit, it was developed by 16th-century Spanish settlers as an alternative to orujo, a pomace brandy that was being imported from Spain

24
Q

What does the 75% rule apply to for Chilean wine law/

A

Chilean wine law, established in 1995, instituted the 75% rule: vintage, varietal, and denomination of origin must, if listed on the bottle, comprise a minimum 75% of the blend. Many wineries observe an 85% minimum for all three categories, in order to comply with EU standards for export.

25
Q

What is the minimum alcohol percentage for Chilean wine?

A

Chilean law requires all wines to show a minimum alcohol content of 11.5%

26
Q

Where does the Aconcagua region derive its name from?

A

The Acocongua River

27
Q

What are 3 unique facts about Errázuriz wine estate?

A

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

28
Q

Where is the Errázuriz wine estate located?

A

Aconcagua Valley DO

29
Q

What is important to know about Errázuriz’s “Seña” cuvee?

A

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

30
Q

What grapes are primarily grown in the Aconcagua Valley?

A

Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot

31
Q

What grapes are primarily grown in Casablanca Valley?

A

Fresh, crisp and fruity Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.

Some Pinot Noir

32
Q

What grapes are primarily grown in San Antonio Valley?

A

Primarily Whites. Fresh, crisp and fruity Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.

Pinot Noir & Syrah

33
Q

What is the name of San Antonio’s 1 official subzone?

A

Leyda

34
Q

What did the amendment of the Chilean wine law in 2012 allow producers to do? What are the definitions of these new terms?

A

In 2012, the Chilean Ministry of Agriculture amended wine law to support three new geographic terms: Costa, Entre Cordilleras, and Andes. On labels, producers may now append pre-existing DOs with one of these three new designations, which signify the proximity of a vineyard to the coast (Costa) or to the mountains. Entre Cordilleras (“between mountains”) describes the valley areas between the coastal range and the Andes, a region in which over three-quarters of Chilean wine grapes are grown.

35
Q

Based on the amendment of the Chilean wine law in 2012, what are the 3 new geographic terms allowed on wine labels? What is the percentage to qualify?

A

Costa, Entre Cordilleras, and Andes.

In order for a wine to qualify for one of the new designations, at least 85% of the grapes must be harvested in the appropriate region.

36
Q

What is the most planted grape varietal in Rapel Valley? What are the 2nd most planted grape varietals?

A

Although Cabernet Sauvignon’s position as the leading grape in both regions is firmly secure, Carmenère is growing in importance, and may soon eclipse Merlot as the valley’s second most cultivated grape

37
Q

What is the most planted grape in Maipo Valley?

A

Cabernet Sauvignon. Over 50% of the region’s more than 10,000 hectares are devoted to the grape, followed by Merlot, Syrah and Carmenère

38
Q

What is South America’s largest wine-producing country/

A

Argentina

39
Q

What is the minimum alcohol in Chile for Reserva and Reserva Especial wines?

A

12% ABV

40
Q

What is the minimum alcohol in Chile for Reserva Privada and Gran Reserva wines?

A

12.5% ABV

41
Q

Why do most people in Chile adhere to EU exporting standards?

A

So that they can export their wines to Europe, which requires a minimum of 85% in all categories by EU standards

42
Q

Valle de Casablanca DO is a sub DO of what?

A

Aconcagua Valley

43
Q 
Which of the following are synonyms for Criolla Chica?
Mission Grape
Syrah
Pais
Muscadet
A

Mission Grape (California & Mexico) and Pais (Chile)

44
Q

What kind of grapes are forbidden by Chilean law?

A

Hybrids. Only vinis vinifera allowed

45
Q

First wine families to invest in Chile?

A

Torres (Spain) and Rothschilds from Chateau Lafite-Rothschild

46
Q

Name 3-4 major producers in Chile

A 
Viña Errázuriz
Concha y Toro
Lapostelle
Viña Marquis
Escando
47
Q

What is the name of the largest producer in Chile?

A

Concha y Toro

48
Q

What are 3 facts about Viña Errázuriz?

A

Located in Aconagua Valley DO
2015 - 145th anniversary of the winery

The 2000 “Viñedo Chadwick” took first place in the 2004 Berlin Tasting.
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

Viña Errázuriz became one of the pioneering wineries in Chile to first cultivate plantations of Syrah.

49
Q

What is the soil type in Maipo Valley?

A

Granite

50
Q

Which region is known for producing 70-year-old Carignan vines?

A

Maule

51
Q

What are 3 facts about Lapostelle

A

The same family that owns Gran Marnier

Using French winemaking philosophy and the superb terroirs of Chile. The founders chose Apalta in the Colchagua Valley, because weather and geographical conditions are perfect for producing high quality red wines

52
Q

What is the climate in Chile’s Valle Central?

A

Mediterranean

53
Q

When did Chilean Pisco receive it’s DO status? What regions must it be made in?

A

Chilean Pisco received its Denomination of Origin in 1931.

Chilean Pisco can only be made in two specific regions of Chile, the Atacama and the Coquimbo regions in the north. Any other brandy made in the country cannot, by law, be called Pisco and is instead called Aguardiente.

CMS - Study Guide (31 decks)

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