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WSET® Level 4 Wine > WSET® Level 4 D4 Sparkling Wine > D4 Sparkling: Chile + Argentina > Flashcards

D4 Sparkling: Chile + Argentina Flashcards

Examines the regions, grapes, methods of production, and styles of sparkling wines made in Chile and Argentina.

1
Q

How far back does Chile’s sparkling wine history date?

A

To the 19th century with Valdivieso

Fun Fact: founded in 1879, Valdivieso was the first sparkling wine house in South America

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2
Q

Are most sparkling wines in Chile made using Tank Method or Traditional Method?

A

Most are Tank Method (90%), though some Traditional Method sparkling wine exisits

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3
Q

Select the correct answer.

Most Chilean sparkling wines are:

a) inexpensive, acceptable to good, and mid-priced

b) expensive, outstanding, and premium-priced

A

Inexpensive, acceptable to good, and mid-priced

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4
Q

In Chile, what are the principal grape varieties used for sparkling wine?

A
  • Chardonnay
  • Pinot Noir
  • Sauvignon Blanc
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5
Q

In Chile, the majority of grapes that go into sparkling wine are grown where?

A
  • Cooler coastal areas;
  • Cool Andean foothills;
  • In the south where weather is more mild.

Some cheap sparkling wines will source their grapes from the warm Central Valley

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6
Q

In Chile, during which months are grapes for sparkling wine harvested?

A

From the beginning of February to the beginning of March

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7
Q

In Chile, what are five key regions for sparkling wine?

A
  1. Casablanca
  2. San Antonio (Leyda)
  3. Limarí
  4. Curicó
  5. Bío Bío
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8
Q

What grapes are used for sparkling wine in Itata and Maule?

A
  • Moscatel
  • País
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9
Q

In Chile, all but one of the places where sparkling wine grapes are grown allows irrigation.

What’s the one place that does NOT allow for irrigation?

A

Itata

Itata has higher rainfall and does not require irrigation

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10
Q

Grapes in Chile are predominantly harvested:

  • by machine
  • by hand
A

Predominantly harvested by hand due to steep slopes and the number of bush vines.

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11
Q

Chile follows the ___’s labeling of styles for residual sugar.

A

EU’s

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12
Q

In Chile, sparkling wine is dominated by big producers or small producers?

A

Big producers

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13
Q

Which big producer makes more than 30% of the total sparkling wine production in Chile?

Name at least two other big Chilean producers who make sparkling wine.

A

Valdivieso (they make more than 30% of production)

Other big Chilean sparkling wine producers include:

  • Undurraga
  • Concha y Toro
  • Aguirre
  • La Rosa
  • Cono Sur
  • Miguel Torres
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14
Q

Does most of the sparkling wine made in Chile stay in the domestic market or is it exported?

A

2/3 stays in the domestic market

When it is exported it goes mostly to Japan.

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15
Q

How far back does Argentina’s sparkling wine history date?

A

1959 when Moët + Chandon based their first overseas subsidiary in Mendoza.

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16
Q

Most of the sparkling wine in Argentina is made using:

  • Carbonation
  • Tank Method
  • Traditional Method
A

Tank Method, although carbonation and Traditional Method are sometimes used.

17
Q

When Traditional Method is in fact used in Argentina to make sparkling wine, what grapes are usually used?

A

Chardonnay and Pinot Noir

18
Q

Traditional Method Argentine sparkling wines:

  • What is the typical style (Extra Brut, Brut, etc.)?
  • What is the general flavor profile?
  • Describe the general quality range and pricing.
A

These wines are typically Brut and express ripe apple, lemon, and light autolytic notes.

Quality ranges from good to very good, and prices are mostly inexpensive with some being mid- to premium-priced.

19
Q

In which regions of Argentina is most sparkling wine made?

A
  • Mendoza (mostly)
  • Neuquén
  • Rio Negro
  • San Juan

In Neuquén and Rio Negro, there are diurnal shifts which help maintain delicate aromas and acidity. New vineyards are being planted for sparkling wines.

20
Q

In Argentina, grapes for cheap carbonated or Tank Method wines are grown in _____.

Grapes for higher quality sparkling wine are mainly grown in subregions _____ and _____.

A

cheap = warm parts of Mendoza, including warmer areas where grapes for still table wine are grown

higher quality = Luján de Cuyo and Uco Valley

  • high elevation here means delicate flavors and acidity are preserved
21
Q

No matter where the grapes for sparkling wine are grown in Argentina, they’re harvested:

  • early, 1-2 months before grapes for still wine
  • at the same time as grapes for still wine
  • late harvest
A

Harvested early, 1-2 months before the grapes for still wine are picked

This avoids elevated alcohol levels and preserves the acidity

22
Q

In Argentina, are most sparkling wines single vineyards or are they blends of different vineyards and sites?

A

Blends of different vineyards and sites to achieve acidity and balance.

23
Q

In Argentina, what are the most planted grapes for sparkling wine?

A
  • Pedro Giménez (most planted) - goes into inexpensive, carbonated wine
  • Chardonnay
  • Chenin Blanc
  • Pinot Noir
  • Ugni Blanc
  • Semillon
24
Q

In Argentina, what are the natural hazards that might affect sparkling grapes?

A
  • Hail
  • Spring frost
  • Nematodes
25
Q

Why isn’t there a lot of fungicide use in Argentina?

A

It’s a naturally very dry climate, so fungal/disease threats remain low.

26
Q

What are the common ingredients (flavorings and grapes) used in Argentina’s cheap, carbonated wines?

A
  • Strawberry flavoring;
  • Pedro Giménez;
  • Chenin Blanc;
  • Semillon.

These are also common for Tank wines.

27
Q

In Argentina, when a sparkling wine is made using Traditional Method, how many months does it have to age sur lie?

A

12 months

Some premium sparklers see extended lees aging, e.g. Baron B Unique.

28
Q

In Argentina, are most sparkling wines exported or do they stay in the home market?

A

Home market (95%)

Exports go to other South American markets.

29
Q

What is the most popular style of sparkling wine made in Argentina?

A

Seco most popular, though in Argentina that means less than 11g/L, which corresponds to the EU’s Brut.

30
Q

Name some of the leading companies in Argentina making sparkling wine.

A
  • Moët Hennessy
  • Llorente
  • Mumm
  • Norton

Freixenet + SoGrape are investing in Argentina

WSET® Level 4 D4 Sparkling Wine (13 decks)

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