Chile (South America)

Question 1

What are the main (general) wine making regions of Chile?

Answer 1

Atacamba
Coquimbo
Anconcagua
Valle Central
Southern Regions

Question 2

What are the six DO’s of Chile?

Answer 2

Atacamba
Coquimbo
Aconcagua
Valle Central
Sur
Astral

Question 3

What are the important sub-regions of Aconcagua?

Answer 3

San Antonio DO

Casablanca Valley DO

Question 4

What is the climate like in the Aconcagua sub-regions?

Answer 4

Cool, maritime

Question 5

Where are the sub-regions of Aconcagua located?

Answer 5

West of the Coastal Mountains near the Pacific.

Question 6

What are the main grape varietals grown in Aconcagua?

Answer 6

Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc (whites)
Pinot Noir (reds)

Question 7

What are the major sub-regions of Valle Central?

Answer 7

Maipo Valley DO
Curico DO
Rapel DO
Maple Valley DO

Question 8

What are the main grape varietals for Valle Central?

Answer 8

Cabernet Sauvignon
Carmenere
Merlot

Question 9

What is the most important grape varietal of the Maipo Valley?

Answer 9

Cabernet Sauvignon.

Question 10

From where/when did the viticulture of Chile arrive?

Answer 10

From Spain via Mexico.

16th century.

Question 11

What hampered the wine industry in Chile and why?

Answer 11

Restrictive laws from Spain (Spanish missionaries).

To prevent competition with Iberian producers.

Question 12

What is unique about the grape varietals of Chile?

Answer 12

They were brought over from/inspired by Bordeaux.

Question 13

What are the main grape varietals of Chile?

Answer 13

Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc (white)

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carmenere (reds)

Question 14

What makes up 75% of Chile’s vine production?

Answer 14

Red wines.

Question 15

What are the geographic factors that influence wine making in Chile?

Answer 15

The Andes Mountains
The Coastal Range Mountains
Pacific Ocean
Humboldt Ocean

Question 16

What impact do the Andes Mountains have on Chile?

Answer 16

Create a rain shadow to protect from the Pacific and creates an arid, desert like climate.

Rivers bring snowmelt which cool the area and serve as irrigation.

Question 17

What impact does the Coastal Range Mountains have on Chile?

Answer 17

Rain shadow.

Question 18

What impact does the Humboldt Ocean have on Chile?

Answer 18

Brings cool, moist, icy air and fog.

Question 19

Where are a majority of Chile’s vineyards planted?

Answer 19

In valleys, on foothills, and at high elevations.

Question 20

What does not exist in Chile and why?

Answer 20

Phylloxera due to strict quarantine and geographic isolation.

Question 21

What is the DO system in Portugal?

Answer 21

Denominacion de Origen

75% must come from region (there are 6 DO’s
Very similar to the AVA system in USA)

Question 22

What are the rules regarding labeling in Chile?

Answer 22

Only vitis vinifera.
Must be a minimum of 75% of stated year/variety.
Most wines conform to the EU standards of 85%.

Question 23

The Valle Central DO is the largest wine growing region in Chile? True or False.

Answer 23

True.

Question 24

Both the San Antonio and Casablanca Valley DO’s share these what climate traits?

Answer 24

Cool climate, near Pacific Coast.

Question 25

Carmenere is a grape brought to Chile from where ?

Answer 25

Bordeaux, France

Question 26

What grape was Carmenere often mistaken for?

Answer 26

Merlot.