South America: Chile

Question 1

According to DO law; in Chile, a wine labeled w/ a varietal and vintage must contain what min. % of that variety and vintage?

Answer 1

75%, but most conform to EU standards of 85%

Question 2

According to Chile’s DO laws, if regionally labeled, what % of the wine must come from that DO region?

Answer 2

75%, but most conform to EU export standards of 85%

Question 3

What are the two subregions of Valle Central’s Rapel Valley DO?

Answer 3

Cachapoal
Colchagua

Question 4

What are the 4 sub-regions of Chile’s Valle Central DO?

Answer 4

Maipo Valley DO
Rapel Valley DO
Curico Valley DO
Maule Valley DO

Question 5

What are the 3 sub-regions of Aconcagua DO?

Answer 5

Aconcagua Valley DO
Casablanca Valley DO
San Antonio Valley DO

Question 6

What are the reasons Phylloxera hasn’t affected Chile?

Answer 6

1. Chile has very strict quarantine laws
2. Geographical isolation

Question 7

What climatic feature cools the coastal area vineyards in Chile?

Answer 7

The Humboldt Current

Question 8

List Chile’s major regional DOs from North to South.

Answer 8

1. Atacama
2. Coquimbo
3. Aconcagua
4. Valle Central
5. Sur
6. Astral/Austral

Question 9

Chile’s Coastal Range mtns. have what affect on viticulture?

Answer 9

They create a rain shadow from the cool Pacific Ocean moist air. This, in turn, creates a more warm to hot maditerranean climate.

Question 10

What are the 2 most planted white grape varieties in Chile?

Answer 10

Chardonnay
Sauvignon Blanc

Question 11

What are the 5 most planted red grape varieties of Chile?

Answer 11

Cabernet Sauvignon
Carmenere
Merlot
Syrah
Pais

Question 12

What is the primary source of irrigation for Chile’s vinyards?

Answer 12

Snowmelt from the Andes