South America: Chile and Argentina

Question 1

What do Argentina and Chile have in common as far as wine production goes?

Answer 1

1. Favorable climates
2. Low land and labor costs
3. High yields
4. Machine harvested grapes (focus on technology and reproducibility)
5. Liberal wine laws
6. Use internationally recognized grape varietals
7. Easy to understand varietal labels
8. Consumer-friendly prices

Question 2

What are the laws governing wine production and labeling in Argentina?

Answer 2

Argentina: - Instituto Nacional de Vitivinicultura (INV)

Regulations:
o Not much in the way of regulations
o Grape variety – 85% minimum

Question 3

What are the laws governing wine production and labeling in Chile?

Answer 3

Chile: DO: Denominacions de Origen

Question 4

What are the major white grape varieties grown in Argentina?

Answer 4

Torrontes (signature)
Chardonnay
Pedro Ximenez

Question 5

What are the major white grape varieties grown in Chile?

Answer 5

Sauvignon Blanc (signature)
Chardonnay

Question 6

What are the major red grape varieties grown in Argentina?

Answer 6

Malbec (signature)

Blends with Cab Sauvignon, Merlot and Pinot Noir

Question 7

What are the major red grape varieties grown in Chile?

Answer 7

Carmenere (signature)
Carbernet Sauvignon
Merlot
Pinot Noir

Question 8

What are the most important wine regions and what wines are they best known for in Argentina?

Answer 8

Argentina:
o Mendoza Valley – controls 70% of production
o San Juan – second largest region
o Salta

Question 9

What are the most important wine regions and what wines are they best known for in Chile?

Answer 9

North

• Aconcagua
• Casablanca

Central Valley

• Majpo
• Rapel
• Colchagua
• Curico
• Maule

South

• Bio-bio
• Itata

Question 10

What are the labeling requirements and how does one decode these wine labels? Argentina

Answer 10

Argentina:

o Not much regulation (grape variety – 85% minimum)

Question 11

What are the labeling requirements and how does one decode these wine labels? Chile

Answer 11

Chile:
o Still being developed
o In-country consumption (75% varietal)
o Export Market (85% varietal)
o Designated viticultural area (85%) – export
o Vintage (85%) – export
o Estate bottled may only be used when winery and vineyards are located in
same geographic area

Question 12

How does Chile’s climate influence wine styles produced in various regions?

Answer 12

• Ideal climate with enough sunshine to fully ripen grapes
• Long growing season to develop complex flavors and aromas
• Dry growing conditions reduces problems with fungal diseases
• An ample supply of water from the snow melt from the Andes
• Ungrafted vines are more resistant to diseases and pests and general produce fruit longer so the vines do not have to be replanted as frequently

Question 13

How does Argentina’s climate influence wine styles produced in various regions?

Answer 13

• warm to hot and dry; classified as an irrigated desert

- average temperature in January is 82F/28C

Question 14

How are wines in each country named?

Answer 14

Varietals

Question 15

What terms on each country’s wine labels are meaningful and what do they tell us?

Answer 15

Chile:
1. Reserva Especial – distinctive organoleptic properties, minimum of
12% alcohol and oak treatment
2. Reserva Privada – distinctive organoleptic properties, minimum of
12.5% alcohol and optional oak treatment
3. Gran Reserva – distinctive organoleptic properties, a minimum of
12.5% alcohol and oak treatment

Question 16

Are there individuals who made a significant impact on the wine industry in any of these countries?

Answer 16

Nicholas Catena – The Robert Mondavi of Argentina

Question 17

Southern Hemisphere Wines latitude

Answer 17

30 -50 parallel on both the north and south of equator

Question 18

Argentina’s History

Answer 18

• 1500s Criolla aka Mission
• Mid-1800s French Varieties
• Early 1900s Italian Immigration
• 1990s Quality levels rise and more emphasis placed on export market.
• Nicolás Catena, owner of Bodega Catena Zapata, was a key figure in transforming the wine industry.
Largest volume produced in South America–over 175 million cases per year

Question 19

Argentina wine production of red and white percentage

Answer 19

Production is 52% red, 20.9% white, and 26.8% Rose

Question 20

Argentina’s signature grapes

Answer 20

White:Torrentes
Red: Malbel

Question 21

History of Chile

Answer 21

• Vines planted in 1500s by Spanish settlers (mission grape).
  • Vinifera varietals introduced in 1850s by French winemakers.
  • Phylloxera never reached the vineyards of Chile.
  • The rootstock is vinifera.