South America Flashcards
What three major wine-producing countries are found in South America?
Argentina, Chile, and Brazil
Which mountain range separates Argentina and Chile?
The Andes Mountains
What is the climate in the Argentine wine regions?
Continental; summers are hot but lack of humidity cause nighttime temperatures to drop rapidly (helping retain acidity in grapes), winters are cold but not severe.
What is the biggest threat the climate in Argentina poses?
Hailstorms which can severly damage vineyard crops.
What is Argentina’s signature grape variety?
Malbec; Argentine malbecs are deeply colored, often inky black, and have corresponding fruit flavors of blackberry and plum.
What is the white wine Argentina is known for?
Torrontes
Where are the principal winegrowing areas of Argentina located?
On the west of the country on the lower sloeps of the Andes
Which Argentine wine region is located at the best latitude for wine production? How much wine does this region account for?
Mendoza; accounting for more than 70% of Argentina’s vineyard acreage and home to almost all of the internationally renowned Argentine wineries.
What are four important subregions of Mendoza? Which are high in elevation?
Maipu, Lujan de Cayo, Valle de Uco and Tupungato. Valle de Uco and Tupungato are both high-elevation areas.
What is Argentina’s second largest wine region? What is the climate like in comparison to Mendoza and what types of wine is it known for?
San Juan which is a much hotter area than Mendoza. It produces a lower amount of highly regarded wine but is noted for sherry and the base wines for brandy and vermouth. It is also the producer of the majority of the country’s table grapes and raisins.
What are the 8 Argentine wine regions from north to south?
Jujuy, Salta, Catamarca, La Rioja, San Juan, Mendoza, Neuquen, Rio Negro
What is Salta known for and what is its most famous subregion?
Torrontes and it’s subregion is Cafayate.
What is unique about Cafayate’s vineyards?
Some can be found as high as 7,000 feet above sea level
What cooler province is an up-and-coming region for white and sparkling wines?
Rio Negro which is south of Mendoza in Patagonia.
What are the three levels of the Aefentine appellation system?
denominacio de origen controlada (DOC) - highest level
indicacion geografica (IG) - for quality wines below the DOC level
indicacion de procedencia (IP) - for table and regional wines
Who controls DOC regulations in Argentina?
A local consejo or council
Only two DOCs have been established. What are they are where are they located?
Lujan de Cuyo and San Rafael both of which are located in Mendoza.
What country is South America’s largest exporter of wine?
Chile
Where in Chile are most of the grapes grown and the place where most people live?
In the temperate part of Chile in the middle of of the country. The north is the Atacama Desert, one of the driest places, while the south is the frozen archipelago of Tierra del Fuego.
What climate can the winemaking region of Chile be compared to?
Conditions are very similar to some of the prime winegrowing areas of California.
What is the name of the current that flows along the Pacific shores from the polar seas?
Humbolt current
What are the main grape varieties in Chile?
3/4 of wine acreage is for red varieties, and Cabernet Sauvignon is king (representing 1/3 of all vineyard land). Sav Blanc and Chard are the leading white grapes
What grape varietal is considered the “forgotton grape” of Bordeaux and now considered by many to be the signature grape of Chile?
Carmenere
What is Pais?
A red grape that is the 2nd most widley planted grape in Chile. It was brought with the conquistadors for sacramental wine and is related to Argentina’s Criolla Grande and California mission varieties.
What has recent research revealed about much of Chile’s Sav Blanc vines?
That many of these vines were actually Sav Vert (Sav Blanc’s less aromatic cousin, also known as Sauvignonasse or, in Italy, Friulano). Many have been replaced with true Sav Blanc, but there is not always a clear differentiation between the two, both being referred to as “sauvignon”.
What are Chilean appellations from north to south?
Limari Valley, Choapa Valley, Aconcagua Valley, Casablanca Valley, San Antonio Valley, Maipo Valley, Rapel Valley, Curico Valley, Maule Valley, Itata Valley, Bio Bio Valley, Malleco Valley
Which appellation surrounds Santiago and is the historical heart of Chile and its winemaking culture?
Maipo Valley
Which two valleys are found within the Rapel Valley? What type of wine do they focus on?
Cachapoal Valley and Colchagua Valley with an overwhelming focus on red wine production.
Most of Chile’s Sav Blanc is planted where?
Curico Valley, where vineyards are evenly planted with red and white varieties.
What types of grapes are planted in the Maule Valley?
Plantings are diverse but led by Cab Sav and contain a large portion of the country’s Pais.
Which two valleys are part of the Aconcagua viticultural region and are characterized by frequent cloud cover and fog?
San Antonio Valley and Casablanca Valley.
Almsot a quarter of all Chile’s Chardonnay is grown in what region?
Casablanca
What two valleys are found in the Southern (Region Viticola del Sur) viticultural region? What is the climate like?
The Itata Valley and Bio Bio Valley which are much cooler due to the latititude.
Which four subregions are part of Chile’s Central Valley viticultural region?
Maipo Valley, Rapel Valley, Curico Valley, Maule Valley
Which three zones are found within the Maule Valley?
Claro Valley, Loncomilla Valley, Tutuven Valley
Which two zones are found in the Curico Valley?
Teno Valley, Lontue Valley
Which two zones are found in the Rapel Valley?
Cachapoal Valley, Colchagua Valley
What is the leading grape variety in Uruguay?
Tannat, a heart tannic grape of the southwest of France
What are the top 5 producers of South America wine?
Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Uruguay, Peru
What is the top grape variety in Argentina?
Cereza (pink)
How are Chilean wine regions divided?
Viticultural region, subregion, zone
