South America Flashcards
South America
History:
1560s: Grapes being grown in the S American Spanish colonies
1600:s Prohibitive laws from Spain restricting wine production
1800s: Political independence and influx of European immigrants –expansion of viticulture
1900s: Political and economic difficulties
Chile
Location: SW of S America, along Pacific Coast, Spans 17-53°S latitude and wine grown 27-46°S
Geography: Isolated, Atacama Desert (north), West: Pacific Ocean (west), Andes Mountains (east), Patagonia (south)
Climate: Hot desert in N to cold in S, Moderate maritime on coast to warm to hot inland
Moderators: Pacific Ocean, fog, Humboldt Current, rain shadow from Coastal Range, Andes Range - Down draft, Altitude, Diurnal shifts
Grapes: Red (75%) Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère (similar to Malbec), Syrah, País; White (25%) Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay
Viticulture: Mostly own-rooted vineyards, geographic isolation prevented phylloxera
Soil: Sandy, Irrigation from Andes
Major Regions
Aconcagua Valley DO
Chilean Wine Law
Min 75% to label with grape, region, or vintage
European wine law for export
Min 85% of grape for single variety label
Aconcagua Valley DO
Location: N Chile, coastal
Climate: Cool, maritime
Geography: West of Coastal Range
Casablanca Valley DO
Grapes: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir
San Antonio Valley DO
Valle de Leyda DO
Grapes: Sauvignon Blanc
Valle Central DO
More than 80% of production
Location: Inland Chile
City: Santiago
Geography: Between Andes & Coastal Ranges
Climate: Warm to hot
Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère, some Carignan, País (Maule)
Maipo Valley, Rapel Valley, Curico Valley, Maule Valley
Argentina
Location: SE in S America
Geography: Andes Mountains (west), Atlantic Ocean (east), Foothills of the Andes (3,000ft/ 914m elevation), Latitudes 23°S to 45°S
Climate: Continental, desert-like with hot & dry Zonda wind, low humidity, diurnal swings
Moderators: Altitude (-3.5°F/1,000ft or -1°C/100m of elevation), rain shadow from Andes
Grapes: Red (58%) Malbec, Bonarda, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo; White (24%) Torrontés, Chardonnay; Pink (18%) bulk wine
Viniculture: Threat of frost (not fungus), wind, hail (netting), drought; Drip irrigation or flood irrigation from Andes snowmelt, water rights an issue, Thicker skins, leaf canopy to avoid sunburn
Salta, Mendoza, Patagonia
Salta
Location: Argentina, most northerly wine region, foothills of Andes on west
Climate: Cooler temps at higher elevation
Grapes: Torrontés, some Malbec
Viticulture: Highest altitude vine plantings in the world
Cafayate
Mendoza
Largest viticultural region (70% production)
Location: mid-Arg, on west
City: Santiago, Chile; Mendoza, Arg
Climate: Continental arid, Zonda wind
Altitudes: 2,000-4,000ft, 600-1,200m
Grapes: Malbec, some Cabernet Sauvignon, Bonarda, Syrah, Tempranillo
Luján de Cuyo, Uco Valley
Patagonia
Location: S Arg, one of the most southerly wine regions in the world
Climate: Long, cool growing season, Diurnal shifts, From latitude not altitude here
Grapes: Pinot Noir, some Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Torrontés, Chardonnay
Argentinian Malbec
Argentine Malbec, Mendoza, Uco Valley
Style: Dry, full-bodied red wine, Fruity and smooth
Tell: Opaque deep-blue/purple color with magenta rim, blueberry jam, subtle oak, soft tannin
Tasting Notes: Intense aromas, ripe red, black, & blue fruits, raspberry, plum, cherry, blueberry, blackberry, fennel, ginger, root beer, basil, sweet herbs, purple flower, violet, old oak, vanilla, tobacco, cocoa
Tannin: M, talc, Acid: M, Body: Full, Alcohol: M+; Complexity: High
Pairing: Lean meats
$20-$50
Other: Thick skinned grapes, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Carmeniere, Petit Sirah
