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WSET® Level 4 Wine > WSET® Level 4 D3 Wines of the World > D3 - Chile > Flashcards

D3 - Chile Flashcards

Examines the regions, grapes, methods of production, and styles of Chile.

1
Q
  1. What is the general climate of Chile?
  2. How does it change moving south?
A
  1. Warm Mediterranean climate with a long, dry, sunny growing season;
  2. Becomes cooler + wetter moving south.
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2
Q

Which areas of Chile see more rain: coastal or inland areas?

A

Coastal areas.

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3
Q

Due to Chile’s low latitudes, the sun here is _____.

A

Intense.

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4
Q

El Niño and La Niña: which brings more rain and which brings less rainfall/more drought?

A
  • El Niño brings more rain;
  • La Niña brings less rainfall/more drought.

Vintage variation and production volume changes can be significant in Chile.

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5
Q

Climatic variation in Chile runs east-west – why?

A

The wine growing regions run east-west because the Andes’ valleys run east-west, and the Pacific Ocean and the Andes bookend the valleys as cooling influences (extending the growing season which helps grapes retain acidity).

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6
Q

What are the cooling influences in Chile?

A
  1. Humboldt Current;
  2. Cool morning fog that’s sucked inland as warm inland air heats up and rises;
  3. Vineyard aspect and elevation for those planted on slopes of coastal range or hills in the valleys;
  4. Elevation for vineyards planted on or near foothills of Andes (downdrafts, diurnal range).
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7
Q

Describe the soils in Chile’s:

  • River Valleys
  • Coastal ranges
  • Andes
A
  • River Valleys → mainly alluvial with areas of sand, clay, silt, and gravel;
  • Coastal ranges → gravel, sand, silt;
  • Andes → granite.
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8
Q

The high solar interception in Chile means red grapes ripen with high levels of _____ and _____.

A

Tannins and anthocyanins.

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9
Q

The mostly dry conditions of Chile’s inland wine growing regions mean this pressure is low; but it’s high here:

A

Fungal disease pressure; high in coastal regions.

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10
Q

Besides drought, what else is an environmental hazard in Chile?

A

Forest fires.

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11
Q

The trends seen in Chile over the last 10-20 years include:

A
  • Increased plantings of Bordeaux varieties;
  • Italian varieties being planted;
  • Non-traditional varieties being planted;
  • Less oak, less extraction;
  • Old oak, concrete, amphorae;
  • Increased diversity of wine styles.
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12
Q

Where are the best sites for Cabernet Sauvignon in Chile?

A

Near the Andes → poorer soils help keep vigor under control; cool nights slow ripening and retain acidity.

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13
Q

Briefly describe a mid-priced to premium Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon.

A
  • Full bodied;
  • High and ripe tannins;
  • Pronounced dark fruit (especially blackcurrant);
  • Herbaceous (mint/eucalyptus);
  • New oak maturation.
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14
Q

Why is site selection important for Carmenere in Chile?

A
  1. Ripens 2-3 weeks later than Merlot;
  2. Needs sunny, warm (not too hot) sites or can become overtly herbaceous with harsh tannins;
  3. If it gets too ripe, can be overly alcoholic.
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15
Q

Why do Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay do so well in coastal areas of Chile?

A

Both retain their acidity when planted in these cooler coastal areas.

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16
Q

What were the 2011 designations that were approved to help define wines that are from the coast, closer to the Andes, and the area in between?

A
  • Costa - for areas with coastal influence;
  • Andes - for areas influenced by the mountains;
  • Entre Cordilleras - for the areas in between.
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17
Q
  • If the region or grape variety is stated on a bottle of Chilean wine, at least ___% of the wine must originate from that region or be made from that grape.
  • If the wine is being exported to the E.U, the number changes to ___%.
A
  • 75%;
  • 85% if going to E.U.
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18
Q
  • Reserva Privada and Gran Reserva wines must have been aged in oak for a minimum of ___ months.
  • Their minimum ABVs must be ___%.
A
  • 6 months;
  • 12.5% ABV.
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19
Q
  • The minimum ABV% for Chilean DO wines is ___%.
  • If a wine is labeled Reserva or Reserva Especial the wine’s ABV must be minimum ___%.
A
  • 11.5%;
  • 12.0%.
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20
Q

What are Chile’s four main wine-producing regions from north to south?

A
  • Coquimbo;
  • Aconcagua;
  • Central Valley;
  • Southern.
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21
Q

The three DOs of Coquimbo are:

A
  1. Elqui;
  2. Limarí;
  3. Choapa.
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22
Q

What factors make Coquimbo so challenging to grow grapes?

A
  • Low latitude → high summer temps + intense sun (ABVs tend to be high)
    • Mountains/elevation, Humboldt Current/Pacific help mitigate this;
  • Little or no rain → irrigation necessary but climate change is reducing Andean snowfall.
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23
Q

What factors allow the wines from Elqui Valley to have relatively high acidities and fresh fruit flavors?

A
  • No coastal mountains;
  • Elqui River funnels in fog far inland;
  • Vineyard elevation (up to 2200m) means high diurnal range and intense sunlight.
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24
Q

What are the differences in the western and eastern wine growing regions of Limarí?

A
  • Western → cooled by morning fog and cool breezes;
  • Eastern → Andean foothills (~1500m), so elevation is a cooling influence.
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25
Q

What are the three important subregions of the Aconcagua region?

A
  1. Aconcagua Valley;
  2. Casablanca Valley;
  3. San Antonio Valley.
26
Q

Central Aconcagua Valley (valley floor)

  1. Is it cool + wet or warm + dry?
  2. What is the rainfall amount, and do they irrigate?
  3. What style of wine is this area known for?
A
  1. Hot + dry;
  2. Low rainfall (250mm), irrigation essential;
  3. Ripe, full bodied reds with high alcohol and high tannins.
27
Q

Aconcagua Costa

  1. What are the cooling influences?
  2. What grapes are grown here?
A
  1. Ocean breezes + morning fogs;
  2. Fresher, cooler-climate style Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah.
28
Q

Aconcagua Andes

  1. What is the elevation?
  2. What keeps the wines ripe yet fresh?
A
  1. 1000m asl;
  2. Large diurnal range (cool nights).
29
Q

What factors make Casablanca Valley one of Chile’s coldest wine-growing regions?

Which part of the Valley has the coolest areas?

A
  • Low hills to the west of the region do little to diminish the impacts of the ocean;
  • Cool, humid ocean air cannot escape due to hills in north and east;
  • Western and low-lying areas are the coolest.
30
Q

What is a natural hazard found in Casablanca?

A

Spring frost.

31
Q

San Antonio Valley

  1. On which side of the coastal range is it located?
  2. What effects does this have on the region?
A
  1. West of the coastal range;
  2. Heavy ocean influence which is moderated by sites’ aspects and soil types.
32
Q
  • Where is Leyda Valley?
  • What is its climate like?
A
  • Nested within San Antonio Valley;
  • Bright afternoon sunshine with foggy mornings + cool breezes → grapes ripen while retaining acidity.
33
Q

Chile’s Central Valley is best known for what style of wine?

A

Ripe, fruity, inexpensive red wines.

34
Q

Which of the following is correct?

Chile’s Central Valley is:

a. Open to maritime influences
b. Sheltered from maritime influences

A

b. Sheltered from maritime influences

That’s how the grapes get so ripe.

35
Q

What are the four subregions of Chile’s Central Valley?

A
  1. Maipo Valley;
  2. Rapel Valley;
  3. Curicó Valley;
  4. Maule Valley.
36
Q

Why is Maipo so warm and sunny?

A

It’s on the east side of the coastal range, so it’s sheltered from maritime influence.

37
Q

Maipo Valley is best known for what styles of wine?

A

Depending on the grape, inexpensive (Merlot) to mid-priced (Cab Sauv, Syrah, Carmenere) ripe red wines with high yet soft tannins.

38
Q

What is Alto Maipo?

What style of wine is it known for?

A

Higher elevation area at eastern end of Maipo Valley with two subregions: Puente Alto and Pirque that make fresh, ripe red wines (high diurnal range).

39
Q

What are the two subregions of Rapel Valley?

Which one is warmer, and why?

A
  1. Colchagua Valley;
  2. Cachapoal Valley – warmer because coastal range blocks maritime influence.
40
Q
  • What style of wine is Cachapoal Valley largely known for?
  • What is the exception?
A
  • Known for large volumes of inexpensive red wine;
  • Peumo → found within Cachapoal River Valley, Peumo is sheltered from cold weather from the Andes but experiences cool coastal winds which reduce frost risk and ensures a long, warm growing season for late-ripening Carmenere.
41
Q

Where is Cachapoal’s highest quality Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah grown?

A

The cooler eastern end of the valley in the Andean foothills.

42
Q

Why does Colchagua Valley produce a variety of wines?

A

Colchagua Valley reaches from the Andes to Pacific coast

  • warm, fertile central part makes large volumes of inexpensive, full-bodied, fruity red wines;
  • cool, less fertile areas make quality, higher priced wines.
43
Q

What factors make Apalta, within Colchagua Valley, an area known for outstanding quality, premium-priced wines?

A
  • It’s a south-facing amphitheater;
  • Captures cool breezes from the west;
  • Has south-facing slopes that slow grape ripening;
  • Poor soils that reduce vigor.
44
Q

Vineyards in the western end of the Colchagua Valley have cooler conditions because:

A

They are fully exposed to the coast.

45
Q

What style of wines is Curicó known for?

A

Inexpensive, high-volume red wines.

46
Q

Curicó Valley

  1. Does it get any coastal influence?
  2. What are its summers like?
  3. How well is it irrigated?
A
  1. No coastal influence;
  2. Summers warm and dry;
  3. Well irrigated (several rivers in the region).
47
Q

What style of wine(s) is Maule Valley known for?

A

Generally for inexpensive reds, but trending now are old vine/dry farmed vineyards making very good quality reds.

48
Q

Maule Valley

  1. What is its climate like?
  2. What old bush vines is it known for?
A
  1. Similar to Curicó but cooler with more rain (largely falls in winter);
  2. País and Muscat of Alexandria.
49
Q

Why is País treated with gentle extraction techniques and carbonic maceration?

A

It has rough tannins.

50
Q

What is VIGNO?

A

A self-regulating growers’ association that promotes old vine, dry farmed Carignan.

51
Q

What is the name of the area in Maule known for old bush Carignan vines?

A

Cauquenes – it’s in the south of the region towards the coast.

52
Q

What are the three subregions within the Southern Region from north to south?

A
  1. Itata;
  2. Bío Bío;
  3. Malleco.
53
Q

Why does the climate in Chile become cooler and wetter the further south you go (like in Southern Region)?

A

The coastal mountains diminish so there is less shelter from the Humboldt Current.

54
Q

If the Southern Region is so cool and wet, how do grapes ripen here and how is fungal disease mitigated?

A
  • Higher latitude → longer growing season days;
  • Open canopy management + ocean breezes help reduce fungal disease pressure.
55
Q

What grapes dominate plantings in Itata?

A
  • Old vine País;
  • Cinsault;
  • Muscat of Alexandria.
56
Q

About how much of Chile’s wine production is exported?

A

~70%

57
Q

Chile has a low value-to-volume ratio, but which two countries’ ratios are even lower?

A
  1. Spain;
  2. South Africa.
58
Q

About 80% of Chilean wine is produced by these four companies.

A
  1. Concha y Toro;
  2. Santa Rita;
  3. Santa Carolina;
  4. San Pedro.
59
Q

What is MOVI?

(Movimiento de Viñateros Independientes)

A

A group of small producers making quality wine that promote themselves together in the domestic and export markets.

60
Q

There is little limestone in Chilean soils, but there is one area where can you find significant outcroppings of it.

Where can these limestone outcroppings be found in Chile?

A

Limarí Valley

61
Q

What parts of Chile are becoming known for very good quality Chardonnay?

A

Cool coastal areas, particularly Limarí Valley thanks to its limestone soils.

62
Q

Production in Chile has increased greatly, from between 3-6 million hL in the 1990s to over __ million hL in the 2020s.

A

13 million hL

WSET® Level 4 D3 Wines of the World (47 decks)

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