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Introductory Turned Certified Sommelier - Matt & Ryan > South America > Flashcards

South America Flashcards

1
Q

Name the 5 major regions in Chile.

A
  1. Atacama
  2. Coquimbo
  3. Aconcagua
  4. Valle Central
  5. Southern Regions
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2
Q

Where did viticulture in Chile and other South American countries come from and when did it arrive?

A
  • Spain by way of Mexico

- Mid-16th Century

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3
Q

Why was the wine industry in Chile initially hampered upon its creation and when/how did it overcome this?

A
  • Restrictive laws from Spain to prevent competition
  • Wine production was limited to sacramental purposes though some estates managed to get around this
  • As South American countries achieved autonomy in 1800’s, European immigrants revived wine production with cuttings from their various homelands
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4
Q

Where is Chile located?

A

Southern half of South America’s Pacific Coast

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5
Q

How long (in miles) is Chile?

A

2,670 miles

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6
Q

What characterizes the geography in Chile?

A
  1. The country is very narrow, rarely exceeds 100mi in width

2. Bounded by Andes (east) and Pacific Ocean (west)

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7
Q

Chile - climate?

A

Hot and extraordinarily dry Atacama Desert in the north to cool southern regions

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8
Q

Name the two primary climate moderators in Chile and their impact on climate.

A
  1. Humboldt Current: Brings cool, moist air and fog to coastal areas
  2. Coastal Range: Blocks cool, moist air from Pacific and creates a rain shadow inland resulting in Mediterranean climate
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9
Q

What is the climate like between the Coastal Range and Andes Mountains?

A

Warm to hot Mediterranean

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10
Q

What marks the topography in Chile?

A

Significant variations in altitude

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11
Q

Chile - white grape varieties?

A
  1. Chardonnay

2. Sauvignon Blanc

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12
Q

Chile - red grape varieties?

A

RED (75% of plantings)

  1. Cabernet
  2. Merlot
  3. Carmenere
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13
Q

Red grape varieties account for __________% of plantings in Chile.

A

75%

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14
Q

Name two important aspects of viticulture in Chile.

A
  1. Phylloxera does not exists due to strict quarantine laws and geographical isolation
  2. Numerous rivers descend from Andes bringing snow melt water for irrigation and creating channels for cool air to flow inland from Pacific
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15
Q

What grape variety was long mistaken for Merlot in Chile?

A

Carmenere

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16
Q

What are the three high level designations of the DO system in Chile?

A
  1. Zones
  2. Regions
  3. Sub-Regions
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17
Q

What do DO stand for in Chile and what is it most similar to?

A
  • Denominacion de Origen

- AVA system in United States

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18
Q

What marks a “Regional” DO in Chile?

A

Minimum 75% must be from region

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19
Q

Name the 6 regional DO’s in Chile.

A
  1. Atacama
  2. Coquimbo
  3. Aconcagua
  4. Valle Central
  5. Sur
  6. Astral
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20
Q

What are two aspects of wine law for varietal labeling in Chile?

A
  1. Only Vitis vinifera (no hybrids)

2. 75% min. of stated variety

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21
Q

What is the law for vintage labeling in Chile?

A

75% min. of stated year

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22
Q

What are the two most notable regions in Chile?

A
  1. Aconcagua DO

2. Valle Central DO

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23
Q

Name the two sub-regions of Aconcagua.

A
  1. San Antonio DO

2. Casablanca Valley DO

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24
Q

Where are San Antonio DO and Casablanca DO located?

A
  • Chile; sub-regions of Aconcagua

- West of Coastal Range near Pacific

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25
Q

What grape varieties are grown in Aconcagua DO?

A 
WHITE
1. Chardonnay
2. Sauvignon Blanc
RED
1. Pinot Noir
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26
Q

Where is Valle Central DO located in Chile?

A
  • Between the Andes and Coastal Mountains

- Stretches southward 200 miles from Santiago

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27
Q

Valle Central DO is responsible for __________% of Chile’s wine production.

28
Q

What is the climate in San Antonio DO?

A

Cool maritime

29
Q

What is the climate in Casablanca Valley DO?

A

Cool maritime

30
Q

What is the climate in Aconcagua DO?

A

Cool maritime

31
Q

Valle Central DO - climate?

A

Warm to hot

32
Q

Valle Central DO - grape varieties?

A
  1. Cabernet Sauvignon
  2. Carmenere
  3. Merlot
33
Q

Name the four sub-regions of Valle Central DO.

A
  1. Maipo Valley
  2. Rapel Valley
  3. Curico Valley
  4. Maule Valley
34
Q

What is the most famous DO for Cabernet Sauvignon in Chile?

A

Maipo Valley DO

35
Q

What marks the historical background of Argentina?

A

Revitalized by Italian and Spanish immigrants in the late 19th century

36
Q

Argentina is South America’s __________ wine-producing country and is the __________ largest producer in the world.

A

Largest; 5th

37
Q

Where is Argentina located?

A

Eastern side of the Andes Mountains

38
Q

Argentina - what is the climate and why?

A

Very dry, arid climate due to rain shadow from Andes

39
Q

Where are vineyards planted in Argentina?

A
  • Front range of Andes

- Average altitude of 3,000ft

40
Q

What is key to the success of viticulture in Argentina?

41
Q

Argentina - white grape varieties?

42
Q

Argentina - red grape varieties?

A
  1. Malbec
  2. Bonarda
  3. Cabernet Sauvignon
  4. Syrah
43
Q

Are vineyards in Argentina free of fungal problems or characterized by them? Why?

A
  • Free

- Wine regions are very dry and low humidity

44
Q

How do the Andes affect viticultural practices in Argentina?

A
  • Make irrigation essential due to rain shadow creating arid climate
  • Snowmelt from Andes provides plenty of water
45
Q

Name three threats in Argentina.

A
  1. Diurnal shifts
  2. Zonda Wind
  3. Hail
46
Q

What is the name of the brutal wind in Argentina, when does it arrive, and how does it impact the vines?

A
  • Zonda
  • Spring and summer
  • Can prevent flowering
47
Q

How do vineyards combat hail in Argentina?

48
Q

What are the two classifications of wine law in Argentina?

A
  1. IG (Indicaciones Geograficas)

2. DOC (Denominacion de Origen Controlada)

49
Q

Name three important appellations in Argentina.

A
  1. Salta IG
  2. Mendoza IG
  3. Patagonia IG
50
Q

Salta IG - location?

A

Most northernly wine region in Argentina

51
Q

Salta IG - climate?

A

Warm, but vineyards planted at cooler elevation

52
Q

Salta IG - grape varieties?

A

WHITE
1. Torrontes
RED
1. Malbec

53
Q

Salta IG - viticulture?

A

Some of the highest vine plantings in the world at almost 10,000 feet

54
Q

Salta IG - important sub-region?

A

Cafayate IG

55
Q

Mendoza - climate?

A
  • Continental and arid

- Elevation dependent

56
Q

Mendoza - grape varieties?

57
Q

Mendoza is the __________ viticultural region in Argentina.

58
Q

At what altitude are most vineyards planted in Argentina?

A

2,000 - 4,000 feet

59
Q

How does the Zonda wind affect vineyards in Mendoza?

A

Prevents mildew and other diseases

60
Q

What is essential to the viticulture in Mendoza?

A

Irrigation

61
Q

Describe two methods of irrigation in Mendoza.

A
  1. Traditional flood or furrow technique directing water from rivers through vineyards
  2. Modern drip irrigation
62
Q

What characterizes the vinification in Mendoza IG?

A

New French and American Oak aging

63
Q

Name two important sub-regions in Mendoza IG.

A
  1. Lujan de Cujo DOC

2. Uco Valley IG

64
Q

What is the climate in Patagonia IG?

A

Notably cool

65
Q

Patagonia IG - location?

A

Argentina, some of its most southerly vineyard sites

66
Q

Patagonia IG - grape varieties?

A 
WHITE
1. Torrontes
RED
1. Malbec
2. Cabernet Sauvignon
3. Pinot Noir

Introductory Turned Certified Sommelier - Matt & Ryan (28 decks)

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