Chili Flashcards
What happened in the middle of the 20th century?
-wine industry in decline due to decline in domestic demand (political isolation)
-half of Chile’s vineyards pulled out in 1980s
What happened when Chile returned to a democracy and free market?
-1980s/90s producers investing in new technology
-focus to quality wine and export
-re-plantation of vineyards in new areas and mountain regions
Is there a big difference in latitude in Chile?
-Yes, 30 degrees in the North and 38 degrees in the south
-despite of this, a consistent climate
What is the main climate of Chile?
-Warm Mediterranean
-Long, sunny dry growing season
-low latitude= intense sunlight
What about the annual rainfall in Chile?
-North and inland -> low rainfall
-Coastal&south -> more rainfall up to 1200 mm
What are 2 weather hazards in Chile? What can it cause?
-Winds occuring every 2-10 years
-el niño= higher than average rainfall
-la niña= lower rainfall/drought
-vintage variation (also due to plantings in climatically extreme areas)
Name 2 cooling influences in Chile
-Pacific ocean
-Andes
-prolonging the growing season and retaining acidities & aromas
What runs along the coast of Chile? What does this mean?
-low mountains (300-800 metres)
-forms a barrier against influences of the ocean
-vineyards to west of these mountains = fully exposed to ocean influences
Explain how Chile gets cooling influences in the more inland areas
-Humboldt current from Antartica = cold water thus air
-warm air rises from the land during the day, sucking in cold air -> morning fog which moderates temperatures
-then it burns away due to heat of the day, increasing humidity
What happens to the Andes and coastal range in the south?
-Create a large,dry and sunny central valley in between
-Grapes for high volume, inexpensive wines
Plantings on slopes of coastal ranges or hills in the valley mean what?
-provide cooling influences through altitude or aspect
-can yield higher quality grapes
Where are vineyards planted near the Andes? What does this mean?
-Foothills of the Andes
-cool mountain air descending from the mountain overnight = higher diurnal range
-altitude can also moderate temperatures
What is the soil type in river valleys?
-fertile
-clay, sand, silt, gravel
What is the soil type in the coastal ranges?
-less fertile
-gravel, sand and silt
What is the soil type in the Andes?
-Volcanic, granite
What do the dry and sunny growing conditions mean for grapes?
-ideal for healthy, fully ripe grapes
-intense sunshine= can ripen reliably with high levels of anthocyanins
Are fungal diseases a problem in Chile?
-No, due to dry conditions -> spraying not neccessary
-some risk in humid coastal areas
-lots of sustainable and organic viticulture
Is irrigation common? If so, where is the water sourced from?
-Yes, 85% of vineyards irrigated
-excess pure water from melting snow of Andes brought down by river valleys
-rivers not present? from aquafiers via wells
-but climate change= less snow=less water from andes
Apart from el niño/el niña, what is another weather hazard?
-Forest fires
-grapes can be affected by smoke taint
Chile has remained phylloxera free. What does this mean in terms of plantings?
-old bush vines, ungrafted vines
-Pais, Muscat, Carignan and Cinsault
Why are grafted vines becoming more popular?
To protect against nematodes
What is the most planted grape variety in Chile? Since when?
-Cabernet Sauvignon
-3/4 of plantings are black grape varieties
-after 1990s: international varieties, especially Bordeaux
What was the most common black grape variety planted up to the 1990s, where was it used for?
-pais
-inexpensive wine for domestic market
-75% pulled up
What has been an emerging trend?
-greater diversity
-aromatic varieties: muscat, viognier, riesling
-mediterranean varieties: carignan,cinsault, grenache
There is an increasing diversity in wine styles. Name 2
-Inexpensive fruity wines, temp controlled ss, intended for early drinking
-also good to very good, mid-priced to outstanding for (super) premium prices
What are winemakers experimenting with?
-less new oak, more old oak
-concrete or use of amphoras
-use of whole bunch and gentler extraction for reds
-whites: more skin contact&lees contact
Which grape variety can produce Chile’s finest and most expensive wines?
-Cabernet Sauvignon
- single variety or blended with merlot,carmenere or syrah
Explain the style of a mid to premium priced Cabernet Sauvignon
-full-bodied
-high, ripe tannins
-pronounced dark fruit (blackcurrant)
-herbaceous character (mint,eucalyptus)
-maturation in at least proportion of new oak -> spicy and toasty
What are the best sites for Cabernet Sauvignon?
-poorer soils near Andes
-controls vigour
-cool nights help to retain acidities
What style can be expected from inexpensive Cabernet Sauvignon?
-from flat, central valley
-simple, fruity wines
-maybe some herbaceousness and dark fruit but less structure, intensity and complexity
For what quality range is Merlot used? explain
-inexpensive mainly from central valley
-well on export markets due to soft tannins, medium body and dark fruit flavours
Describe a Carmenere of good to very good quality
-full bodied
-high levels of tannins
-medium acidity
-ripe black fruits (blackberry)
-herbaceous (eucalyptus,bell pepper)
-when oaked: spice, roasted coffee, dark chocolate
Why is site selection important for Carmenere?
-ripens 2/3 weeks later than Merlot
-needs warm (not too hot) sites otherwise too herbaceous/harsh tannins
- too ripe= overly alcoholic
What style does syrah produce in a cooler climate?
-higher acidity, fresh black fruit
-notes of pepper and cloves
-in: San Antonio, Casa Blanca, Limari&Elqui
what style does syrah produce in a warmer climate?
-fuller-bodied
-more intense, riper black fruit flavours
-Colchagua valley
Where is Pinot Noir grown? Which style?
-cooler areas: Casablanca, San Antonio
-red fruit with herbal characteristics, med-high alc
What is Chile’s most planted white grape variety?
Sauvignon Blanc
Where can Sauvignon Blanc produce very good quality wine? What is the style?
-In cooler regions:Limari, Casablanca, San Antonio
-high acidity, citrus to tropical, sometimes wet stone or herbaceous
What do some winemakers do with Sauvignon Blanc?
-lees contact & oak ageing to add complexity
What is another region where Sauvignon Blanc is grown? which style?
-Central Valley
-good quality, inexpensive
Name a cool region where Chardonnay thrives well, explain the style
-Limari
-Very good quality
-med (+)-high acidity
-citrus&stone fruits
What is the style of Chardonnay in the Central Valley?
-inexpensive
-ripe,tropical fruits
-oaked or unoaked
How many DOs does Chile have?
-5:Atacama, Coquimbo, Aconcagua,Central and Southern Valley
-6th added later: austral
-also sub-regions which follow river valleys
What are the smaller zones called ‘areas’?
-belong to a zone: Apalta as a part from Colchagua
-or: sub-region (where no zone exist) Puente Alta part of Maipo
A further set of designations was introduced in 2011. Name these designations
-Costa (coastal influences)
-Andes (mountain influences)
-Entre Cordilleras (areas in between)
-on top of DO system, can be labelled both: Aconcagua Costa or Maipo Andes
How many % of grapes must come from DO to be classified?
-75%
-85% for wines exported to EU
A single varietal wine must contain … % of this variety and … % when exported to EU
-75%
-85%
What is the minimum alcohol level for wines with a DO status?
11% abv
What do the terms: Superior Reserva (gran, especial, privada) mean?
-higher min. alcohol: 12% reserva (especial) and 12.5% reserva privada&gran
-Reserva Privada/Gran Reserva: min. 6 months in oak
What are the 3 DOs of Coquimbo?
-Elqui
-Limari
-Choapa
What is the latitde of Coquimbo? What does this mean?
- around 30 degrees = low
-summer temperature high and intense sunlight
What are the cooling influences of Coquimbo? Why are they essential?
-Mountains & Pacific ocean
-with low latitude essential to have cooling influences
-delay fruit ripening
What style of wines can be produced in Coquimbo?
-intense fruit flavours balanced by fresh acidity
-alcohol levels can be high
What does the humbolt current do to Coquimbo?
-brings fogs and cooling breezes to the region
What about rainfall in Coquimbo? Explain
-very low
-due to its location: edge of atacama desert
-average rainfall less than 100 mm a year
Is irrigation essential in Coquimbo? Wat about the water availability for irrigation?
-Yes
-Reduced snowfall in Andes = water shortage, threatening the region’s future wine production
Why are wines in Coquimbo often premium priced?
-due to difficult growing conditions and difficult access to the region -> smaller production of wine
What is the location of Elqui?
-Most Northern part of Chile’s principal vineyards
-Follows the route of river Elqui