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
Although Colchagua is historically a bulk wine region, producers are finding success with premium wines sourced from higher-altitude sub-regions with greater diurnal variations, such as?
- Apalta
- San Fernando
- Chimbarongo
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- 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
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
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