South America - Chile Flashcards
Location of Chile
(-) Located on the west coast of South America in the Southern Hemisphere.
White grapes of Chile
Sauvignon Blanc
Chardonnay
Red grapes of Chile
Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot
Carménère
Syrah
País
What is the climate of Chile
Hot desert to cool to cold from north to south.
What are the main geographic features of Chile?
(-) Atacama Desert
(-) Pacific Ocean, provides cool breezes and fog.
Mountains:
(-) Andes Mountains: Elevation and diurnal shifts
(-) Coastal Range: Creates rain shadow from cold Pacific
Soil type in Chile
Sand
Grape growing in Chile
(-) No presence of phylloxera (because of sandy soil)
(-) Irrigation is essential from the Andes
(-) Mostly ungrafted vines
Did Chile ever get effected by phylloxera?
No, it’s one of the purest countries in regards to viticulture in the world
What grape before 1995 was mistaken as Carmenère
Merlot
What famous blend is still used to this day in Chile?
Bordeaux
Chile wine laws are similar to what country?
The United States - and there is no restriction on what grapes or where you can grow grapes like in most old world countries
How are Chilean wines labeled?
By variety but it is becoming more popular to show the proprietor of the wines on the label
Are the wine laws the same for exported and domestic Chilean wines?
No, if a wine is exported the variety that is named on the label, 85% of the grapes must come from that the listed region on the wine
If sold domestically, the wine shown on the label, 75% of the wines must come from the listed region, known as the “law of 75%”
Denominación de Origen (DO) System
(-) Refers to a geographic place of origin only, no other additional laws.
(-) Region, Subregion, Zone, Area.
Chilean wine law vs EU
Minimum Percentages:
* Variety/Vintage/Origin Labeling is 75%.
* In practice, EU requires 85% in all three categories.
Maipo Valley
Curicó Valley
Rapel Valley
Maule Valley
This 4 subregion are apart of what region and what country
Central Valley ( Valle Central) and Chile
Maipo Valley
- Makes mostly Bordeaux style wines and even has château style Vineyards and is the closest to the city of Santiago.
- Surrounds Santiago in the Maipo River Valley
- Most of the major historical wineries are located here
- Main red grape - Cabernet Sauvignon
This region is home of the famous colchagua Valley subregion. Has a cooler and maritime climate due to its low elevation.
Main Red Grape - Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenère
Main white grape -Sauvignon Blanc
Rapel Valley
Describe Humboldt Current
Cold current coming from Antarctica running along the west coast of South America.
Style of Chilean wine
Often big, intense, fruit driven, high-alcohol wine
Proprietary Brands / Producers in Chile
(-) Concha y Toro
(-) Santa Rita
(-) Errázuriz
(-) Casa Lapostolle
(-) Carmen
Latitude of Chile
Spans 17-53°S latitude
Length and Width of Chile
(-) 2,670 miles or 4300 km north to south
(-) 217 miles or 350 km wide
1500s Chile Lore
Grapes being grown in the South American
Spanish colonies
1600s Chile Lore
Prohibitive laws from the Spanish restricting
wine production
1800s Chile Lore
Political independence and influx of European immigrants led to an
expansion of viticulture
1970s-80s Chile Lore
Influx of foreign investment
Valle Central DO
(-) Warm to hot climate.
(-) Located between the Coastal Range and Andes.
(-) 80% of Chilean production
Valle Central DO wines
Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère, Merlot
Aconcagua DO
Subregion: Casablanca DO
Cool, maritime climate west of the Coastal Range.
Aconcagua DO wines
Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir
Regions in Chile
(-) Aconcagua DO
(-) Maule DO
(-) Rapel DO
(-) Valle Central DO
(-) Valle de Maipo DO
(-) Casablanca DO
(-) Colchagua DO
(-) Cachapoal DO
(-) Curicó Valley DO
