S. America Flashcards
What is the climate of winemaking regions in Chile?
Temperate to warm
What is the top white grape of Chile?
Chardonnay
What are the top red grapes of Chile?
Cabernet Sauv. Carmenere
What are the subregions of the Central Valley?
- Maipo Valley
- Rapel Valley
- Curico Valley
- Maule Valley
Where does Chile rank in the world in terms of wine production?
10th
What is unique about Chile and phylloxera?
- Very isolated country
- Spared frm phylloxera
What are the two main geographic features of Chile?
- Pacific coastline
- Andes mountains
What is unique about Chile winemaking?
- Heavily influenced by French winemaking
- most vines planted on their own rootstock (pure)
- 1800s - Hired French winemakers from Bordeaux
Describe the wine laws in Chile
- International Markets: Grape, Region, or Vintage listed = 85%
- Domestic Markets: “law of 75%”
Describe Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile
- Fruity
- Tannic
- Structured
- Sometimes blended with Merlot or Carmenere (Bordeaux blend)
Describe Carmenere from Chile
- Wide range
- simple and fruity
- complex and intense dark fruit
Describe Chardonnay from Chile
- Soft
- Medium Quality
- Heavy Oak
- Malolactic fermentation
What affects the terroir of Chilean wine regions?
- Location: river valleys between coastal mtn. ranges and Andes mtns.
- Temperate almost Mediterranean climate
- Gets warmer north, cooler south
What is the largest and most important wine region in Chile and its subregions?
- Central Valley
- Maipo Valley
- Rapel Valley
- Curico Valley
- Maule Valley
Describe Maipo Valley
- Closest to capital Santiago
- First grapes planted in 1500s
- Dry, warm climate
- Red wine region
- Cab SAuv and Carmenere
Describe Rapel Valley and its subregion(s)
- Just south of Maipo Valley
- High quality red wines
- Marine influence in the valley
- Cab Sauve, Carmenere, Sauv Blanc
- Subregion: Colchagua Valley
Describe the Curico Valley
- Further south than Rapel
- Lack of ocean influence
- Warmer climate
- Wide, fertile region
- Aromatic Sauv Blanc
Describe the Maule Valley
- Most widely planted region in Chile
- 25% of Chile’s vines
- Chardonnay
- Sauvignon Blanc
Describe the climate in Argentina
Temperate to warm
Top white grape of Argentina
Torrontes
Top red grapes of Argentina
- Malbec
- Cabernet Sauv
Top wine region of Argentina
Mendoza
Where does Argentina rank in the world in terms of wine production?
5th
Where are most of Argentina’s wine regions located?
- Foothills of Andes Mountains
- Arid, high-desert climate
What does most Argentinian red pair with?
Beed
What are the wine laws of Argentina?
- Similar to other New World countries
- Labeled by grape varietal = 80%
- Labeled by wine region = 85%
Describe Malbec from Argentina
- Growing conditions ideal for this grape
- Rich purple color
- Concentrated
- Spicy
- Dark Fruit
Describe Torrontes from Argentina
- Light-bodied
- Aromatic
- Fresh stone fruit
- Citrus
What are some of the main wine regions in Argentina?
- Mendoza (Malbec)
- San Juan (table wines)
- La Rioja (table wines)
- Salta (Torrontes)
- Neuquen
- Rio Negro (Chard & Sauv Blanc)
