South America - Chile

Question 1

Where’s Chile?

Answer 1

Located on the west coast of South America in the Southern Hemisphere.2,670 miles or 4300 km north to south.217 miles or 350 km wide. Spans 17-53°S latitude.

Question 2

Physical features and moderators?

Answer 2

Desert: Atacama Desert
Ocean: Pacific Ocean, provides cool breezes and fog.
Mountains:
Andes Mountains: Elevation and diurnal shifts.
Coastal Range: Creates rain shadow from cold Pacific.

Question 2

Climate category of Chile?

Answer 2

Hot desert to cool to cold from north to south.

Question 3

Soil type?

Answer 3

Sand

Question 3

Grape growing info?

Answer 3

No presence of phylloxera (because of sandy soil). Irrigation is essential from the Andes. Mostly ungrafted vines.

Question 4

White grape variety names?

Answer 4

Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay

Question 5

Red grape variety names?

Answer 5

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carménère, Syrah, País

Question 5

Wine laws?

Answer 5

Denominación de Origen (DO) System: Refers to a geographic place of origin only, no other additional laws.Region, Subregion, Zone, Area.

Minimum Percentages: Variety/Vintage/Origin Labeling is 75%. In practice, EU requires 85% in all three categories.

Question 6

Wine appellations?

Answer 6

Aconcagua DO
Subregion: Casablanca DO
Cool, maritime climate west of the Coastal Range.
Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir

Valle Central DO
Warm to hot climate.
Located between the Coastal Range and Andes.
80% of Chilean production.
Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère, Merlot

Subregion: Valle de Maipo DO
Surrounds Santiago in the Maipo River Valley.
Most of the major historical wineries are located here.
Cabernet Sauvignon

Question 7

Name all regions and locate them on a map.

Answer 7

All Regions
Aconcagua DOC
asablanca DO
Valle Central DO
Rapel DO
Colchagua DO
Cachapoal DO
Curicó Valley DO
Maule DO
Valle de Maipo DO

Question 8

What is the Humboldt Current?

Answer 8

Humboldt Current:
Cold current coming from Antarctica running along the west coast of South America.

Question 9

Style of wine in Chile?

Answer 9

Often big, intense, fruit driven, high-alcohol wines.

Question 10

Producer/proprietary brands in Chile?

Answer 10

Concha y Toro, Santa Rita, Errázuriz, Casa Lapostolle, Carmen

Question 11

Tell me the history of winemaking in Chile.

Answer 11

1500s: Grapes being grown in the South American Spanish colonies.
1600s: Prohibitive laws from the Spanish restricting wine production.
1800s: Political independence and influx of European immigrants led to an expansion of viticulture.
1970s-80s: Influx of foreign investment.