South America

Question 1

Describe the climate of Chile.

Answer 1

Warm Mediterrean. Influenced by the Pacific Ocean, coastal mountains, central valley and Andes Mountains. The Humbolt Current exerts cooling effects and El Nino/La Nina influences rainfall.

Question 2

What are the four main regions of Chile?

Answer 2

Coquimbo, Aconcagua, Central Valley, Southern Region. These are broken in 13 smaller subregions.

Question 3

What labeling terms can be found on Chilean wine labels?

Answer 3

Aside from DOs (Denominaciones de Origen), producers can elect to include Costa, Entre Cordilleras, or Andes to indicate the latitude of the region.

Reserva, Reserva Especial, Reserva Privada and Gran Reserva are not regulated and are used as an indicator of quality.

Question 4

What are the primary grapes of Chile?

Answer 4

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Carmenere, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Muscat (mostly for Pisco production)

Question 5

What are the three sub-regions of Coquimbo?

Answer 5

Elqui Valley, Limari Valley, Choapa Valley. Elqui is known for Sauvignon Blanc and Limari for Chardonnay

Question 6

What are the three sub-regions of Aconcagua?

Answer 6

Aconcagua Valley, Casablanca Valley and San Antonio Valley.

Aconcagua is three sides and known for Cabernet, Syrah and Carmenere.

Pinot Noir and Syrah in Casablanca, Sauvignon Blanc in San Antonio, particularly cool Leyda Valley.

Question 7

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

Answer 7

Maipo Valley, Rapel (Colchagua and Cachapoal Valleys), Curico Valley and Maule Valley.

Question 8

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

Answer 8

Itata, Bio Bio, and Malleco Valleys.

Pais and Muscat, in addition to international varieties.

Question 9

Describe winemaking in Argentina?

Answer 9

Argentina lies close to the Andes; high elevations and desert conditions. Irrigation and the parral (local pergola system) is used along with vertical trellises.

Question 10

What are the most popular grape varieties in Argentina?

Answer 10

Malbec and Torrontes, also Bonarda, Cabernet and Chardonnay

Question 11

Describe the Salta Province.

Answer 11

Some of the highest elevations, known for Torrontes, particularly in the Cafayate Region.

Question 12

What areas of Patagonia are most-well known?

Answer 12

Rio Negro for premium wines, Neuquen is promising.

Question 13

How are wines from La Rioja Province generally labeled?

Answer 13

Famatina Valley, the main grape-growing area.

Question 14

What varietal is San Juan Province noted for?

Answer 14

Syrah

Question 15

How is Argentina’s GI system organized?

Answer 15

Region=>Province=>Department

Question 16

What is the most important province for winemaking in Argentina?

Answer 16

Mendoza Province.

Divided into Northern, Eastern, Central, Uco Valley, and Southern.

North and East are high volume, powered by irrigation.

Central is known for high quality Malbec, in particular, Lujan de Cuyo. Also Maipu

Uco Valley contains some of the highest vineyards in the world.

South contains the San Raphael department, where Chenin Blanc is grown