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WSET Level 3 in Wines - Thirsty and Wise > Chile - WSET L3 in Wines > Flashcards

Chile - WSET L3 in Wines Flashcards

1
Q

What are Chile’s key geographical features?

A

The Andes Mountains to the east, the Pacific Ocean to the west, and the Coastal Range in between.

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2
Q

What is the climate of most Chilean wine regions?

A

Warm Mediterranean, with dry, sunny growing seasons.

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3
Q

How do the Andes influence Chilean vineyards?

A

Provide cooling nighttime air, creating large diurnal temperature ranges that enhance acidity and freshness.

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4
Q

What is the role of the Humboldt Current in Chilean viticulture?

A

Brings cool air from the Pacific Ocean, moderating coastal and river valley vineyards.

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5
Q

How do El Niño and La Niña affect Chile’s wine regions?

A

El Niño increases rainfall, while La Niña causes drought, impacting yields and grape quality.

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6
Q

What are the four principal wine regions in Chile?

A

Coquimbo, Aconcagua, Central Valley, and Southern Region.

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7
Q

What classification terms indicate proximity to the coast or mountains?

A

Costa (coastal areas), Entre Cordilleras (between mountains), and Andes (mountain areas).

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8
Q

What labeling terms are commonly used but loosely defined in Chile?

A

Reserva, Reserva Especial, Reserva Privada, and Gran Reserva.

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9
Q

What is the most planted grape variety in Chile?

A

Cabernet Sauvignon.

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10
Q

What are the characteristics of Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon?

A

Ripe black fruit flavors with herbaceous notes, often blended with Merlot or Carmenère.

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11
Q

What is Chile’s signature grape variety?

A

Carmenère, producing full-bodied wines with black fruit and herbal aromas.

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12
Q

What white grape varieties dominate plantings in Chile?

A

Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.

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13
Q

What is Muscat of Alexandria primarily used for in Chile?

A

The production of Pisco, Chile’s grape brandy.

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14
Q

What are the three sub-regions of Coquimbo?

A

Elqui Valley, Limarí Valley, and Choapa Valley.

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15
Q

What is the climate of the Coquimbo region?

A

Dry, with cooling influences from high altitudes and coastal breezes.

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16
Q

What grape varieties thrive in Limarí Valley and Elqui Valley?

A

Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc respectively.

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17
Q

What are the three sub-regions of the Aconcagua region?

A

Aconcagua Valley, Casablanca Valley, and San Antonio Valley.

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18
Q

What is the primary grape variety in Aconcagua Valley?

A

Cabernet Sauvignon, producing full-bodied wines with high alcohol and ripe black fruit.

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19
Q

What is the climate of Casablanca Valley?

A

Cool, moderated by morning fog and afternoon breezes from the Pacific.

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20
Q

What grapes are prominent in Casablanca Valley?

A

Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah.

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21
Q

What is the Leyda Valley known for?

A

Part of San Antonio Valley, it produces high-quality Sauvignon Blanc with high acidity and tropical fruit flavors.

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22
Q

Name black grapes grown in Aconcagua Valley?

A

Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere and Syrah.

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23
Q

What are the four sub-regions of the Central Valley?

A

Maipo Valley, Rapel Valley, Curicó Valley, and Maule Valley.

24
Q

What is Maipo Valley best known for?

A

Premium Cabernet Sauvignon, often with a distinctive minty character.

25
Q

Name the subregions of Rapel Valley?

A

Cachapol Valley and Colchagua Valley.

26
Q

What is the primary grape variety in Colchagua Valley?

A

Cabernet Sauvignon, along with Syrah and Carmenère.

27
Q

What distinguishes Maule Valley wines?

A

High acidity and concentration, often from old-vine Carignan.

28
Q

What are the three sub-regions of the Southern Region?

A

Itata Valley, Bío Bío Valley, and Malleco Valley.

29
Q

What grapes dominate plantings in Itata and Bío Bío?

A

País and Muscat of Alexandria, though Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are gaining prominence.

30
Q

What is the potential of Malleco Valley?

A

Produces premium Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, with growing interest from producers.

31
Q

What styles of Sauvignon Blanc are produced in Chile?

A

Fresh, high-acid wines with tropical fruit flavors, particularly in cooler regions like Casablanca and Leyda.

32
Q

What is the typical style of Carmenère?

A

Full-bodied with ripe black fruit flavors and a balance of herbal and spicy notes.

33
Q

How do river valleys influence Chile’s vineyards?

A

They allow cool air from the Pacific to penetrate inland, moderating temperatures.

34
Q

How does altitude affect vineyards in Chile?

A

High-altitude vineyards in the Andes provide cool nights, enhancing acidity and freshness.

35
Q

Why is sustainable viticulture important in Chile?

A

Dry conditions and limited water availability encourage practices that conserve resources and promote biodiversity.

36
Q

What are the main challenges in Chilean viticulture?

A

Water scarcity and the cyclical effects of El Niño and La Niña.

37
Q

What makes Chilean Syrah unique?

A

Cooler regions like San Antonio produce peppery, aromatic Syrahs, while warmer areas like Colchagua create bold, ripe styles.

38
Q

What is the primary characteristic of Chilean Pinot Noir?

A

Fresh red fruit flavors, high acidity, and earthy notes, especially from cool regions like Casablanca and Leyda.

39
Q

What is the significance of País in Chile?

A

A historic variety used for simple, rustic red wines, now seeing a revival in premium, old-vine styles.

40
Q

How long and width is Chile’s wine?

A

900km long and 100km wide.

41
Q

What role do the Coastal Mountains play in Chilean viticulture?

A

They block much of the cooling influence of the Pacific Ocean, except where river valleys or gaps allow cool air to penetrate.

42
Q

How do the Andes influence Chile’s vineyards?

A

Provide descending cold air at night, creating large diurnal temperature variations that enhance acidity and aromatic intensity in wines.

43
Q

What is the significance of river valleys in Chile?

A

River valleys, such as the Maipo and Colchagua, channel cool Pacific air inland, moderating vineyard temperatures.

44
Q

What is a “zone” in Chilean wine classification?

A

A subdivision of the principal wine regions, encompassing multiple smaller appellations or areas. Leyda is a zone in San Antonio sub-region.

45
Q

How is a DO (Denominación de Origen) defined in Chile?

A

A classification for wines produced within specific geographical boundaries, focusing on origin but not production methods.

46
Q

What is the effect of descending cold air from the Andes?

A

It cools vineyards at night, preserving acidity and creating balance in wines.

47
Q

Why is Merlot a popular export variety from Chile?

A

It produces fruit-forward, soft, and approachable wines that appeal to a wide range of consumers.

48
Q

How are grape varieties matched to regions in Chile?

A

Cooler regions like Casablanca are suited for Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, while warmer areas like Colchagua are ideal for Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenère.

49
Q

What is the focus of vineyards in the Central Valley?

A

Large-scale production on flat lands, emphasizing simple, fruit-driven wines for mass-market appeal.

50
Q

What is dry farming, and where is it practiced in Chile?

A

A method relying on natural rainfall rather than irrigation, commonly used in Curicó and Maule Valleys for old-vine Carignan.

51
Q

What are the characteristics of wines from the Central Valley’s flat lands?

A

Fruit-forward, simple wines suitable for early drinking, often at an affordable price point.

52
Q

What makes Chile’s wine industry unique?

A

Its phylloxera-free status, allowing the use of ungrafted vines and preserving native biodiversity.

53
Q

How does the combination of geography and climate affect Chilean wines?

A

The interplay of coastal mountains, the Andes, and river valleys creates diverse microclimates, enabling the production of a wide range of wine styles.

54
Q

What is smallest and most southern region?

A

Malleco.

55
Q

Name grapes in Malleco?

A

Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

WSET Level 3 in Wines - Thirsty and Wise (41 decks)

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