Chile (South America) Flashcards
What are the main (general) wine making regions of Chile?
Atacamba Coquimbo Anconcagua Valle Central Southern Regions
What are the six DO’s of Chile?
Atacamba Coquimbo Aconcagua Valle Central Sur Astral
What are the important sub-regions of Aconcagua?
San Antonio DO
Casablanca Valley DO
What is the climate like in the Aconcagua sub-regions?
Cool, maritime
Where are the sub-regions of Aconcagua located?
West of the Coastal Mountains near the Pacific.
What are the main grape varietals grown in Aconcagua?
Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc (whites) Pinot Noir (reds)
What are the major sub-regions of Valle Central?
Maipo Valley DO
Curico DO
Rapel DO
Maple Valley DO
What are the main grape varietals for Valle Central?
Cabernet Sauvignon
Carmenere
Merlot
What is the most important grape varietal of the Maipo Valley?
Cabernet Sauvignon.
From where/when did the viticulture of Chile arrive?
From Spain via Mexico.
16th century.
What hampered the wine industry in Chile and why?
Restrictive laws from Spain (Spanish missionaries).
To prevent competition with Iberian producers.
What is unique about the grape varietals of Chile?
They were brought over from/inspired by Bordeaux.
What are the main grape varietals of Chile?
Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc (white)
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carmenere (reds)
What makes up 75% of Chile’s vine production?
Red wines.
What are the geographic factors that influence wine making in Chile?
The Andes Mountains
The Coastal Range Mountains
Pacific Ocean
Humboldt Ocean
What impact do the Andes Mountains have on Chile?
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.
What impact does the Coastal Range Mountains have on Chile?
Rain shadow.
What impact does the Humboldt Ocean have on Chile?
Brings cool, moist, icy air and fog.
Where are a majority of Chile’s vineyards planted?
In valleys, on foothills, and at high elevations.
What does not exist in Chile and why?
Phylloxera due to strict quarantine and geographic isolation.
What is the DO system in Portugal?
Denominacion de Origen
75% must come from region (there are 6 DO’s
Very similar to the AVA system in USA)
What are the rules regarding labeling in Chile?
Only vitis vinifera.
Must be a minimum of 75% of stated year/variety.
Most wines conform to the EU standards of 85%.
The Valle Central DO is the largest wine growing region in Chile? True or False.
True.
Both the San Antonio and Casablanca Valley DO’s share these what climate traits?
Cool climate, near Pacific Coast.
