South America Flashcards
Why did South America suffer in the 17th century?
A prohibitive Spanish law that restricted wine production in the new world in favor of Iberian producers
When did Argentina, Chile and Brazil gain independence?
In the early 1800s.
What are the three leading wine producing countries of South America?
Argentina, Chile and Brazil.
What is the only major winemaking country to remain totally phylloxera free?
Chile
What is the mission grape of South America identical to?
Listán Prieto in the Canary Islands
What is the Chilean synonym for the mission grape?
País
What is Argentina’s most planted grape?
Cereza
What are the parent grapes of Torrontés Riojano?
Criolla Chica x Muscat of Alexandria
Much of Chile’s Sauv Blanc is actually another grape. What is it?
Sauvignon Vert or Friulano
Much of Chile’s merlot is actually a different grape. What is it?
Carmenère
What separates Chile from the rest of South America?
The Andes Mountains
Where are most of the major wine regions of chile located?
South of the capital, Santiago
What are the regional DOs of Chile (north to south)?
- Atacama
- Coquimbo
- Aconcagua
- the Valle Central (Central Valley)
- Sur (the Southern Regions)
- Austral
What is the climate of the northernmost regions of Chile?
Although it is moderated by maritime influence, the regions are dry and desert like
What is the climate of the Central Valley of Chile?
Proximity to the Andes cools nighttime temperatures and along the coast the cold Humboldt Current cools the vines.
What is the climate/weather of the southernmost regions of Chile?
Rainfall is higher and the overall growing season is cooler and shorter.
When was Chilean wine law established?
1995
What are the required minimums for vintage, varietal and denomination of origin for Chile?
75% across the board although many wineries observe an 85% minimum to comply with EU standards.
What is the minimum alcohol content for wines of Chile?
11.5%
What are the requirements for ABV for Reserva and Reserva Especial in Chile?
12%
What are the requirements for ABV for wines labeled Reserva Privada and Gran Reserva from Chile?
12.5%
What two labeling terms from Chilean stipulate time spent in oak?
Reserva Especial and Gran Reserva
What are the major grapes of Chile?
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- País
- Merlot
- Sauv Blanc,
- Chard
- Carmenère
- Syrah
- Sémillon
- Pinot Noir
- Cabernet Franc
What is the northernmost wine growing region in Chile?
Atacama
What happens to the majority of Atacama’s wines?
They are distilled
What are the three regions within Coquimbo in Chile?
Elqui and Limarí to the north and Choapa in the south
Where is Atacama?
Chile
Where is Coquimbo?
Chile
Where is Elqui?
Coquimbo, Chile
Where is Limarí?
Coquimbo, Chile
Where is Choapa?
Coquimbo, Chile
What is the most planted grape in both Elqui and Limarí?
Cab Sauv
Where is Aconcagua DO?
Chile
What is Donald Hess’ estate in Salta? How high are the vineyards?
- Colome
- 3,000 m- some of the highest vineyards in the world
What is Bonards confusingly called in San Juan?
Barbera Bonarda
Who produces these iconic wines from Colchgua?
‘Clos Apalta’
‘Alpha M’
‘Purple Angel’
- Casa Lapostolle ‘Clos Apalta’- Bdx blend
- Vina Montes ‘Alpha M’- Bdx blend
- Vina Montes ‘Purple Angel’- Carmenere
What portion of Argentina’s production occurs in Mendoza?
~ 3/4
What Argentine region makes decent sherry-like wines?
San Juan- the hot summer climate is also ideal for brandy and vermouth
What factor in Argentina helps keep Phylloxera and other diseases at bay?
Zonda wind- almost all vines in Mendoza are planted on their own rootstock
What is the average elevation of vineyards of Argentina?
900 m
Torrontes Riojano and Torrontes Sanjuanino are crossings of what grapes? Which is higher quality?
- Criolla Chica x Muscat of Alexandria
- Torrontes Riojano higher quality
The Rapel Valley (Central Valley) is divided into what two regions?
Cachapol and Colchagua
Where is Vina Errazuriz located? What is their flagship wine?
- Panquehue commune of Anconagua DO
- Sena- an iconic Bdx blend that placed ahead of Lafite and Margaux in the 2004 Berlin tasting
What 3 provinces are located in the North Region of Argentina?
- Salta
- Tucuman
- Catamarca
Where is Salta?
North Region, Argentina
Where is Tucuman?
North Region, Argentina
Where is Catamarca?
North Region, Argentina
What are the sub-regions of the Central Valley DO?
- Maipo Valley
- Rapel Valley
- Curico
- Maule Valley
Where is Maipo Valley?
Central Valley DO, Chile
Where is Rapel Valley?
Central Valley DO, Chile
Where is Curico?
Central Valley DO, Chile
Where is Maule Valley?
Central Valley DO, Chile
What pink-skinned varieties occupy 30% of Argentina’s vineyards?
Cereza, Criolla Chica and Criolla Grande
they are white grapes
Cereza parent grapes: Criolla Chica x Muscat of Al
What are Chile’s major regional DOs from north to south?
- Atacama
- Coquimbo
- Aconcagua
- The Valle Central
- Sur (The Southern Region)
- Austral
Where is Atacama?
Chile
Where is Coquimbo?
Chile
Where is Aconcagua?
Chile
The Valle Central?
Chile
Where is Sur?
Chile
Which county is the 5th largest producer of wine in the world?
Argentina
What are the 3 valleys of the Sur DO?
- Itata
- Bio Bio
- Malleco
Where is Itata?
Sur DO, Chile
Where is Bio Bio?
Sur DO, Chile
Where is Malleco?
Sur DO, Chile
Who is Chile’s largest producer?
Concha y Toro
Where are Mendoza’s highest vineyards?
Uco Valley in the west
What two mountain ranges are in Chile?
The Coastal Ranges and the Andes
What is Argentina’s 2nd largest wine-producing province?
San Juan
What is Argentina’s most planted white grape?
Pedro Gimenez- unrelated to Spain’s Pedro Ximenez
Where was the Mendoza Chardonnay clone developed? It has gained popularity despite what issue?
- UC Davis
- It is prone to millerandage and the resulting grapes have a higher skin-to-juice ratio
What is Argentina’s most planted grape?
Cereza
cross from Criollo Chica x Muscat of Alexandria
When was Malbec introduced to Argentina?
1860
Bodegas Chacra is located where? What are they producing?
- Patagonia
- Super-premium Rio Negro Pinot Noir
Where is Sao Francisco Valley?
A tropical winegrowing region in northern Brazil, where growers can harvest twice per year
What in Aconcagua’s most prominent subregion? What is it known for?
Casablance- Chard and SB
Argentina’s Bonarda has been identified as what?
- It is genetically district from the northern Italian grape of the same name
- It is Savoie’s Corbeau, AKA Charbono in the US
What varieties are grown in Brazil?
Bdx and other international grapes, along with Iberian varieties like Aragonez and Touriga Nacional
Describe Brazil’s production? What major foreign investment has invested here?
- Predominantly red, but nearly a quarter is sparkling
- Moet & Chandon
What Brazilian state contains most of the country’s viticulture?
Rio Grande do Sul (along the Argentine border), with Serra Gaucha being the country’s most developed wine region and accounts for approximately 20% of Brazilian wine
What is the southernmost region in Chile? What is planted here?
- Malleco
- Pinot Noir and Chard
What are the subregions of the Aconcagua DO?
- Valle del Aconcagua DO
- Valle de Casablanca DO
- Valle de San Antonio Do
Where is Valle del Aconcagua DO?
It is a subregion of Aconcagua DO in Chile
Where is Valle de Casablanca DO?
It is a subregion of Aconcagua DO in Chile
Where is Valle de San Antonio DO?
It is a subregion of Aconcagua DO in Chile
What is the northernmost wine region in Argentina?
Salta
What is the promising department in Salta increasingly appearing on Torrontes labels? Name 2 producers located here.
- Cafayate
- Etchart- first brought Michael Rolland to Argentina
- Yacochuya- Arnaldo Etchart’s new project
What is La Rioja’s famous wine region? From what grapes?
- Famatina Valley
- Torrontes and Malbec
What DOs of Chile are historically destined for Pisco?
Atacama and Coquimbo
When was Chilean wine law established? What is the 75% rule?
- Established in 1995
- Varietal, vintage and DO must comprise 75% to be listed on the label
- Most wineries observe 85% to comply with EU standards for exports
Are hybrid grapes permitted in Chile?
No, only permitted varieties may be used
What is Chile’s most famous winemaking area? What is it known for?
- Maipo Valley
- Cab Sauv- over 50% of the region’s vineyards are devoted to the grape
What are the two departments of Mendoza that provide the best traditional sites for Malbec?
Lujan de Cuyo and Maipu
What grapes may be labeled as ‘Torrontes’?
-Torrontes Riojano
Lower quality:
- Torrontes Sanjuanino
- Torrontes Mendocino
Chenin Blanc is the principal grape in what departments of Southern Mendoza?
San Rafael DOC and General Alvear
White grapes, such as Chard and Semillon, are cultivated with success in high elevations of what departments of Mendoza?
Uco Valley and Tupungato Department
In 2011, the Chilean Ministry of Agriculture amended wine law to support 3 new geographical terms to append to the existing DOs. What are they? What percentage is required?
- Costa
- Entre Cordilleras (‘Between Mountains’)
- Andes
- To qualify, 85% of the grapes must be harvested in the appropriate region
What is the dominant red variety of Uruguay?
Tannat- rechristened Harriague, after Don Pascual Harriague, the Frenchman who introduced the grape to Uruguay
What does ‘Reserva’ and ‘Gran Reserva’ indicate on an Argentine label? When was it introduced? What is permitted?
Aging requirements:
- Reserva:
- -White- 6 m
- -Red- 1 year
- Gran Reserva
- -White- 1 year
- -Red- 2 years
-Introduced in 2008, no pink skinned varieties (Criolla Chica/Grande or Cereza) and max yields are regulated
What is the appellation system in Brazil? What is unique about it? What was the first?
- Origin Indications
- It restricts varieties and yields, in the manner of European appellations
- Vale do Vinhedos (a subregion within Serra Gaucha) in 2002
What grape played a similar role in Argentina as the Mission grape did in Chile?
Criolla Chica
What 2 grapes are related to Criolla Chica that are relevant in Argentina?
Cereza and Criolla Grande
What 3 major houses are located in Maipo Valley? Why?
- Concha y Toro
- Santa Rita
- Cousino Macul
-Its proximity to Santiago
What are the most planted varieties of Itata and Bio Bio?
Pais and Muscat d’Alexandria
What 3 provinces are located in the Cuyo region?
- La Rioja
- San Juan
- Mendoza
Where is Cuyo?
Argentina
Where is La Rioja?
Cuyo, Argentina
Where is San Juan?
Cuyo, Argentina
Where is Mendoza?
Cuyo, Argentina
What are Curico’s two subregions?
Lontue and Teno
Where is Curico?
Valle Central, Chile
Where is Lontue?
Curico, Valle Central, Chile
Where is Teno?
Curico, Valle Central, Chile
Who makes the following wines and what are the varietals:
Don Melchor?
Vinedo Chadwick?
Almaviva?
Where are these produced?
Don Melchor- Concha y Toro, CS
Vinedo Charwick- Errazuriz, CS
Almaviva- joint project between Baron Philippe de Rothschild and Concha y Toro, Bdx blend
Puente Alto subregion of the Maipo Valley, Chile
What region in Chile is covered in Santiago’s smog?
Maipo
What are Mendoza’s two DOCs?
- Lujan de Cuyo- authorized for Malbec
- San Rafael- currently only used by Valentin Bianchi for base quality wines
What are the subzones of San Antonio DO (Aconcagua)? What is it known for?
- Leyda
- Lo Abarca
- Rosario
-Predominately wines, SB, Syrah and PN showing promise
Where is Leyda?
Valle de San Antonio, Aconcagua DO, Chile
Where is Lo Abarca?
Valle de San Antonio, Aconcagua DO, Chile
Where is Rosario?
Valle de San Antonio, Aconcagua DO, Chile
What 3 provinces are located in the Patagonia province?
- La Pampa
- Rio Negro
- Neuquén
Where is La Pampa?
Patagonia, Argentina
Where is Rio Negro?
Patagonia, Argentina
Where is Neuquén?
Patagonia, Argentina
What are the 5 valleys of San Juan?
- Tulum
- Zonda
- Ullum
- Jachal
- Fertil
Where is Tulum?
San Juan, Cuyo, Argentina
Where is Zonda?
San Juan, Cuyo, Argentina
Where is Ullum?
San Juan, Cuyo, Argentina
Where is Jachal?
San Juan, Cuyo, Argentina
Where is Fertil?
San Juan, Cuyo, Argentina
Who is Claudio Gay
in 1830 the Frenchman who set up a Chilean repository of pre-Phylloxera Vitis Vinifera vines at the University of Chile’s Quinta Normal department
Where di Miguel Torres set up Chilean operations in the 1970s?
Curico
What are the regions in Rio Grande do Sul?
- Serra Gaucha
- Sao Jaoquim
- Serra do Sudeste
- Campanha
Where is Serra Gaucha?
Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Where is Sao Jaoquim?
Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Where is Serra do Sudeste?
Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Where is Campanha?
Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
What are the highly regarded estates of Mendoza?
- Catena
- Susana Balbo’s Domino del Plata
- Bressia
- Achaval Ferrer
What air system cools the vines in Chile?
The Humoldt Current
What is the only country to remain totally Phylloxera free?
Chile
What project was founded in 1996 by Robert Mondavi? With who? Why is it no longer in the American market?
Robert Mondavi and Errazuriz have a collaborative project in Chile called Caliterra, founded in 1996, pulled from the American market when Mondavi was sold to Constellation
What are the sub regions of the Austral?
- Valle del Cautín DO
* Valle de Osorno DO
Which Chilean wine region is famous for old vine Carignan?
Maule Valley
What is the climate of Valle Central?
Mediterranean
In which century were vines first planted in Chile?
16th century
Casablanca Valley is best known for the production of what types of wine?
White, SB and Chard
Who produces “Casa Real?”
Santa Rita
Viñedo Chadwick, Almaviva, and Concha y Toro’s “Don Melchior” are all produced out of what subregion?
Maipo
Who produces “Clos Apalta?”
Lapostolle
Concepción, Chile’s 3rd largest city, is closest to what wine region?
Itata Valley
Almaviva is a collaboration between TWO wineries?
Concha y Toro and Baronne Philippe de Rothschild
The VIGNO association exists to preserve old vine _______ in Maule Valley.
Carignan
The Peumo DO is located in
Cachapoal Valley(sub of Rapel)
What is the most planted red variety in Itata Valley?
País
Marcelo Papa is a famous winemaker of which winery?
Concha y Toro
What is the minimum ABV permitted for any wine in Chile?
11.5%
In which region in Chile would you find significant plantings of Cinsault?
Bío Bío Valley
The Teno and Lontué Valleys are located in:
Curicó Valley
What is the minimum vine age required for VIGNO wines in Chile?
30 years
what is VIGNO’s mission?
The association aims to protect the heritage of old-vine Carignan.
What’s the requirement of VIGNO?
Wines under the VIGNO brand must have at least 85% Carignan, be dry-farmed and head-trained at least 30 years of age (grafted Carignan qualifies), and aged for at least 2 years.
The remainder of the blend must be other old-vine, head-trained, dry-farmed fruit from Maule