South America Flashcards
Which country in South America makes the most wine?
Argentina
What geographical features influence the climate of Argentina?
Atlantic Ocean and Andes mountains
Describe the winegrowing environment of Argentina.
a) high elevations
b) rain shadow - unlimited sunshine
c) Zonda winds
d) threat of hailstorms
What were the original grapes for which Argentina was known?
Pais or Mission family of grapes–Criolla Grande, Criolla Chica, Cereza
What two varietals are most closely identified with Argentina today?
Malbec and Torrontes
Grapes known as Torrontes are actually comprised of which three varieties?
1) Riojano
2) Mendocino
3) Sanjuanino
Name 2 grapes that are genetically identical to Bonarda Argentina and 1 that is not.
1) Charbona in California
2) Douce Noir in France
3) Bonarda in Italy
What are the 3 levels of appellations in Argentina?
1) Denominacion de Origine Controlada
2) Indicacion Geographica
3) Indicacion de Procedencia
Argentina’s DOC system is regulated by the __________.
Consejo, or council
What are the only two DOC regions in Argentina to date?
1) Lujan de Cuyo
2) San Raphael
What are “vinos finos”?
Literally, fine wines–the finest wines of Argentina, governed by the Istituto Nacional de Vitivinicultura
Which Argentine wine region is located in the extreme Northwest of the country and has some of the highest elevation vineyards in the world?
Jujuy
What is the highest-elevation vineyard in Argentina?
Moya Vineyard
Which subregion of Salta is known for high-elevation Torrontes Riojano?
Cafayette
The ______________________ subregion of Salta is home to an ultra-high elevation vineyard ________________________.
a) Molinos
b) Altura Maxima
What subregion are most of the vineyards in Tucuman located?
Calchaqui Valley
In Catamarca, ___________ of acres under vine are planted to _________________ varieties.
a) 40%
b) Criolla
Where are most of the vineyards located in La Rioja and what kinds of grapes are grown there?
a) Famatina Valleys
b) 32% Torrontes Riojana, 51% red grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Bonarda, Syrah and Malbec
What is the 2nd largest grape producing province in Argentina?
San Juan
How much Argentine wine production takes place in Mendoza?
75%
What are the five subregions of Mendoza?
1) Uco Valley
2) Primera Zone
3) Northern Oasis
4) East Mendoza
5) South Mendoza
Which group was responsible for wine production in Cordoba until 1767?
The Jesuits
Which rivers are important in the Neuquen Province?
1) Neuquen River
2) Limay River
Describe the climate and topography of La Pampa?
a) moderate continental
b) gently undulating plains
Which Argentine province contains some of the lowest elevation vineyards?
Rio Negro
What international variety thrives in Rio Negro and Chubut?
Pinot Noir
One of the southmost vineyards in the world, ________________, is located in the Argentine province of ________________.
a) Sarmiento
b) Chubut
What GI contains the eastmost vineyards in Argentina, just a few miles from the Atlantic?
Chapadmalal GI
What are the leading grapes in Buenos Aires?
Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
How many miles of coastline does Chile have, and how much of it is involved in viticulture?
a) 2700 miles
b) 800 miles
What geographical features form the boundaries of Chile?
The Pacific Ocean, the Andes Mountains, the Atacama Desert and the frozen archipelago of Tierra del Fuego.
What unique distinction does Chile hold?
It’s considered Phylloxera-free
What is the climate of Chile?
Mediterranean
What is the Humbolt C urrent?
A cold ocean current that brings cool, moist inland to Chile.
What was Carmenere originally known as in Chile?
Merlot Chileno.
Who is responsible for identifying Carmenere correctly in Chile, and when?
a) Professor Jean- Michel Boursiquot of the Montpellier School of Oenology
b) 1994
Where did vines in Chile originally come from?
Bordeaux
Carmenere is often the ____________ grape to be picked.
last
Much of Chile’s Sauvignon Blanc turned out to be _______________________, also known as _________________ or ________________ instead.
a) Sauvignon Vert
b) Sauvignonasse
c) Friulano
Which country’s wine laws are most similar to Chile’s, and why?
a) United States
b) one category (Denominacion de Origen)
c) no restrictions with respect to varietal
d) 75% minimum for origin, vintage and varietal
What 3 terms were recently approved for use on Chilean wine labels?
1) Costa
2) Entre Cordilleras
3) Andes
What are the 6 main Regiones Viticolas in Chile?
- Atacama
- Coquimbo
- Aconcongua
- Central Valley
- Del Sur
- Austral Region
What is mostly grown in the Atacama Desert?
grapes used for table grapes or Pisco
What subregion of the Coquimbo is seen as one of the country’s best producers of Syrah?
Elqui Valley
What is produced in the Limari Valley and why?
a) mineral driven whites, particularly Chardonnay, due to moderating influence of the Humbolt Current
Name an interesting fact about the geography of the Choapa Valley?
It’s located at Chile’s narrowest point, where there’s no distinction between the Coastal and Andes Mountains
What are the three subregions of the Aconcagua?
- Aconcagua Valley
- Casablanca Valley
- San Antonio Valley
What is the warmest subregion of the Aconcagua?
Aconcagua Valley
Contrast the climates of the Aconcagua Valley with that of the Casablanca Valley?
Mediterranean VS Maritime
Which zone inside the San Antonio Valley is known for wines with great minerality and complexity?
Leyda Valley
What are the 4 subregions of the Central Valley in Chile from North to South?
- Maipo Valley
- Rapel Valley
- Curico Valley
- Maule Valley
Viticultural Regions are further divided into ___________, ______________ and ______________ in Chile?
a. Subregion
b) Zone
c) Area
Which subregion of the Central Valley is the considered the country’s historic heart of winemaking and what is its specialty?
a) Maipo Valley
b) Cabernet Sauvignon
What two valleys make up the larger Rapel Valley?
1) Cachapoal Valley
2) Colchagua Valley
Curico Valley is located further ___________________ and has no __________________ influence.
a) inland
b) maritime
What is “pipeno”?
A rustic style of winemaking in the Maule Valley often using Pais.
What old vine grape is dry-farmed in the Maule Valley and what organization oversees its production?
a) Carignan
b) VIGNO - Viagnadores de Carignan
What varietals are grown in Del Sur?
Pais and Moscatel
Name three subregions in Del Sur with up-and-coming reputations for winemaking?
1) Itata Valley
2) Bio Bio Valley
3) Malleco Valley
How many inches of rain does the Austral Region receive?
70 inches
What is the climate in the Austral Region?
Marginal
What are the two subregions of the Austral Region?
1) Cautin Valley
2) Osorno Valley
What are GIs known as in Brazil?
a) Denominacao de Origem
b) Indicacao de Origem
Where are four of Brazil’s six winegrowing regions located?
Rio Grande du Sol
Which region is considered the cradle of Brazilian wine production?
Serra Gaucha
What is Brazil’s only DO to date?
Vale dos Vinhedos DO
Where are some of the OLDEST vineyards in Brazil?
Campanha
Which Brazilian region has a tropical semi-arid climate and produces two harvests?
Vale do Sao Francisco
Which Brazilian wine region is directly North of Serra Gaucha?
Campos de Cima da Serra
Where are the highest elevation vineyards in Brazil located?
Planalto Catarinense
What are the challenges winegrowers in Uruguay face?
high humidity and subtropical temperatures
What is Tannat sometimes called in Uruguay?
Harriague
Besides Tannat what two grapes are significantly planted in Uruguay?
Albarino and Black Muscat
Which three areas in Uruguay are most known for winemaking?
1) Canelones District
2) Maldonado Region
3) Colonia District
