Chile, Pauls Flashcards

1
Q

What are the 4 main regions of Chile? List them from North to South.

A

Coquimbo, Aconcagua, Central Valley and Southern

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2
Q

Reserva Privada and Gran Reserva are labelling terms in Chile. What requirements are there for these labelling terms?

A

The wine must be a minimum of 12.5% ABV and must have spent a minimum of 6 months in oak

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3
Q

What is the Entre Codilleras?

A

It is a zone that sits between the Costa (coastal influence) zone and the Andes (mountain influence) zone

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4
Q

What requirements are there for the use of labelling term Reserva or Reserva Especial?

A

ABV must be a minimum of 12%.

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5
Q

Which grape variety was mistaken for Merlot, and only officially identified in 1994?

A

Carmenere

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6
Q

Black grape varieties account for what percentage of plantings?

A

75%

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7
Q

What is Pais?

A

A black grape variety that was the most commonly grown grape until the 1990’s. Now more Bordeaux varieties are being planted instead.

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8
Q

Production can be massively affected in Chile by El Nino, explain what El Nino means.

A

El Nino is part of a phenomenon that happens throughout the Atlantic. In El Nino years, rainfall dramatically increases which disrupts production. In El Nina years, rainfall dramatically decreases and drought can be a problem.

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9
Q

What percentage of vineyards use water irrigation systems?

A

Around 85%. Most of Chile is dry with low rainfall.

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10
Q

On a broad scale of Chile’s wine producing area, which environmental influences come from the West and East?

A

In the West, you have the low coastal mountain range. They average between 300-800m and prevent Atlantic sea breezes, however there are gaps which allow fog and breezes through for cooler conditions.

In the East, you have the Andes mountain range. Altitude increases here, and diurnal range allows for a slower growing season.

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11
Q

Carmenere has which levels for the following:

Tannin:
Acidity:
Body:

A

Tannin: High
Acidity: Medium
Body: Full

Black fruit aromas are common, and development of menthol, coffee when oaked.

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12
Q

What is Chiles most planted white grape variety?

A

Sauvignon Blanc

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13
Q

Where will you find large volumes of inexpensive tropical fruit Chardonnay?

A

Central Valley

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14
Q

When was the Chilean DO created?

A

1995

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15
Q

Which Ocean borders Chile’s wine producing regions?

A

The Pacific Ocean.

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16
Q

The Coquimbo region has hot sites with intense sunlight with cooling mountain and Pacific influences that delay fruit ripening, producing wines with fresh acid and intense fruit. What is the name of the current that causes cooling influences and morning fogs?

A

The Humboldt Current.

17
Q

Is Coquimbo known for mass production of low quality wines, or smaller production of high quality wines?

A

Small production and high quality wines.

18
Q

There are two important sub regions in Coquimbo, what are they?

A

Elqui and Limari

19
Q

Which region is the furthest North, produces high acid intense fruit Sauvignon and has plantings of 2200m altitude?

A

Elqui. It is the furthest North and borders the Atacama desert, meaning drip irrigation is necessary.

20
Q

What grape varieties are planted in Limari?

A

Chardonnay (light and ripe styles made), Syrah most planted red and some plantings of Pinot Noir too.

21
Q

The Aconcagua region has a significant difference between west (Costa) and east (Andes) of region. Briefly describe the influences in the Costa (West), Central area and Andes (East) parts of the region.

A

Costa region in the east has morning fogs, cooling influences ideal for Pinot, Sauvignon, light Syrah, Chardonnay.

Central Area is warmer and more suited for high alcohol/tannic varieties such as Merlot, Cab Sav, Syrah

Andes region has cooling influence from the Andes mountain range, 1,000m altitude, large diurnal range. Ripe reds with acidity.

22
Q

What are the 2 most important sub regions in the Aconcagua region?

A

Casablanca Valley and San Antonio

23
Q

What style of wine does Casablanca Valley have a reputation for?

A

Reputation for high quality whites from Sauv Blanc and Chardonnay

Also produce high-quality red wines from Pinot Noir (red berry and herbal) plus cooler-style peppery Syrah

24
Q

Sauvignon Blanc is the flagship variety in the San Antonio region, but which valley in particular benefits from foggy mornings, pacific influences and sunny afternoons?

A

The Leyda Valley.

25
Q

Which region is the Maipo Valley situation in and what styles of wine does it produce?

A

The Maipo Valley is found in the Central Valley Region. It is known for producing red wine, Cabernet Sauvignon with menthol aroma/cassis. Syrah and Premium Carmenere. (up to 100m altitude in Alto Maipo).

26
Q

The Rapel Valley is Sub-divided into which two zones named after rivers which merge in the valley?

A

Colchagua Valley and the Cachapoal Valley.

27
Q

Peumo within the Cachapoal Valley has a reputation for what style of wine?

A

Premium full bodied concentrated Carmenere.

28
Q

Which Sub region of the Central Valley region has a reputation for some of Chile’s finest-quality and most expensive wines?

A

Colchagua Valley. Altitude and diurnal range on poor soils slow ripening and lower yields with Cab Sauv, Syrah and Carmenere, often blended, for ripe, structured wines. Costa area suited to Sauv Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir

29
Q

What are the names of the two sub regions in the Central Valley that have a reputation for mass produced inexpensive wines?

A

Curico Valley (reds) and the Maule Valley. Maule has started to make some premium, inc Carmenere old vine, and a revival of Pais.

30
Q

Where will you find Modern plantings of international varieties (Pinot Noir and Chardonnay) plus elegant aromatic wines from Sauv Blanc, Riesling and Gewurztraminer?

A

Bio Bio Valley

31
Q

What 3 valleys are within the Southern region?

A

Itata Valley, Bio Bio Valley and the Malleco Valley.

32
Q

Name the cool, most southerly region, focusing on high acid wines produced from early-ripening varieties such as Chardonnay, Sauv Blanc and Pinot Noir

A

Malleco Valley.

33
Q

Describe what is grown in the Itata Valley.

A

Dominated by old bush bines of Muscat and Pais that are dry-farmed

Newer plantings of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot and Cab Sauv

Also has old-vine Cinsault for premium wines with black fruit and liquorice