South America Study Guide Flashcards

1
Q

When did viticulture first appear in South America?

A

16th century

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2
Q

When did Chile, Argentina, and Brazil gain independence thus relaxing restrictions on wine production by Spain and Portugal?

A

1800s

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3
Q

What major contribution did Frenchman Claudio Gay provide to Chile?

A

He set up a repository of pre-phylloxera Vitis vinifera vines at the University of Chile’s Quinta Normal department.

This provided many of the parent vines for Chile’s modern wine industry as the county’s geographic isolation due to the Andes has left vineyards of Chile phylloxera free.

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4
Q

Why is Chile phylloxera-free?

A

Geographic isolation due to the Andes mountains.

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5
Q

Why was the Phylloxera outbreak a boon for Chile?

A

A strong domestic market plus the fact that the European export market was in need of wine was a boon for advancing the Chilean wine industry.

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6
Q

What is the fifth largest wine-producing country in the world?

A

Argentina

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7
Q

The Mission grape is identical to what grape in the Canary Islands?

A

Listán Prieto

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8
Q

Up until the 21st century, what was the most planted grape in Chile? What is it known as in Argentina? What is it known as in the Canary Islands?

A

País (Mission)

Known as Criolla Chica in Argentina
Known as Listán Prieto in Canary Islands

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9
Q

What is the Mission grape known as in Argentina? What are two other grapes traditionally were highly planted in Argentina?

A

Criolla Chica

Cereza and Criolla Grande

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10
Q

What grape crossing led to the production of Torrontés Riojano and Torrontés Sanjuanino? What is the third Torrentés sub variety? Is it also a product of the same crossing?

A

Criolla Chica (Mission) x Muscat of Alexandria

Torrontés Mendocino. Not a product of the same crossing. Only has Muscat as a common parent

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11
Q

What are the three Torrontés sub varieties? Which are the product of the same crossing? Which is the odd one out? Why?

A

Torrontés Riojano
Torrontés Sanjuanino
Torrontés Mendocino

Riojano and Sanjuanino are products of the same crossing.

Mendocino is the odd one out an only has Muscat as a common parent

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12
Q

What two grapes were confused for Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc respectively in Chile?

A

Merlot that was planted turned out to be Carmenère

Much of the Sauvignon Blanc planted in Chile turned out to be Sauvignon Vert/Friulano

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13
Q

What grape does Argentina and Chile claim to be a unique varietal expression to their country respectively?

A

Malbec in Argentina
Carmenère in Chile

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14
Q

How long does Chile stretch from North to South? How many of these miles are dedicated to viticulture?

A

3,000 miles

roughly 800 miles are dedicated to viticulture

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15
Q

What are the 6 regional Denominations of Origin (DO) of Chile from north to south?

A
Atacama
Coquimbo
Aconcagua
Valle Central
Sur
Austral
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16
Q

What is the climate like in Atacama and Coquimbo and what have the grapes been here historically been used for?

A

Dry and desert-like

Grapes here have been traditionally been used for Pisco production or table grapes

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17
Q

What DO of Chile contains the most suitable vineyards for fine wine?

A

Valle Central (Central Valley)

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18
Q

Where is the Valle Central located geographically compared to Santiago?

A

South of Santiago

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19
Q

What is the name of the cool ocean current that flows along the coast of Chile?

A

Humboldt Current

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20
Q

What natural influences combine to create the climate experienced in the Central Valley of Chile?

A

The cool nighttime temperatures contributed by proximity to the Andes and the cold, maritime influence of the Humboldt Current.

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21
Q

What mountain range separates the Central Valley in Chile from the Pacific Ocean?

A

Coastal Mountains

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22
Q

Though the climate isn’t as dry as that experienced in the north in Atacama and Coquimbo, what is essential in the vineyards of Aconcagua and the Central Valley?

A

irrigation

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23
Q

How is the climate and growing season in the vineyard areas of Southern Chile different to central?

A

Rainier, cooler and a shorter growing season

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24
Q

Chilean wine law, established in 1995 instituted what min % for labels that state vintage, varietal, and denomination? What min% for grape varietal listed on labels do most producers follow in order to comply with EU standards for export?

A

Min 75% for each

Most producers however follow the min 85% rule for varietally labeled bottles to comply with EU standards for export.

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25
Are hybrid grapes permitted in Chilean wine?
No
26
What is the min abv required for all wine? What about wines labeled Reserva/Reserva Especial? Reserva Privada/Gran Reserva?
11.5% for all wines 12% for Reserva/Reserva Especial 12.5% for Gran Reserva/Reserva Privada
27
What percentage of Chile's total plantings are attributed to red grapes? What are the leading red grapes produced in Chile? (7)
73% ``` Cabernet Sauvignon País Merlot Carmenère Syrah Pinot Noir Cabernet Franc ```
28
What are the main white grapes produced in Chile? Which is used chiefly for distillation?
Sauvignon Blanc (and Sauvignon Vert) Chardonnay Sémillon Muscat of Alexandria (used for distillation)
29
What two DOs of northern Chile are known for the production of Pisco and table grapes? Which of the two contains two subzones that are gaining reputation for quality wine production?
Atacama and Coquimbo Coquimbo has two subregions, Valle del Elqui and Valle del Limarí, that are gaining a reputation for Syrah and Chardonnay respectively third subregion is Choapa
30
What are the three subzones of Coquimbo? Which is gaining attention for quality Syrah? Which for Chardonnay?
Valle del Elqui DO (Syrah) Valle del Limarí DO (Chardonnay) Valle del Choapa DO
31
What soil type has made Limarí DO within Coquimbo an up and coming region for Chardonnay?
Limestone
32
What two mountain ranges converge in the Valle del Choapa DO within Coquimbo in Chile?
Coastal Mountains and Andes
33
Where river does the Aconcagua DO get its name? From what mountains to what ocean does it flow?
Aconcagua River nearby Flows from the Andes Mountains to the Pacific Ocean
34
What are the dominant soil types of the Aconcagua Valley DO subregion of Aconcagua DO in Chile? What are the major grapes of their region?
Alluvial soils Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot
35
What commune is Errázuriz located in? What DO? What is the flagship wine produced at the estate? What is it famous for?
Panquehue commune in Aconcagua Valley DO which is a sub zone of the larger Aconcagua DO Seña is the flagship wine produced here. Famed for placing ahead of both Château Lafite and Château in the 2004 Berlin Tasting, an event compared to the 1976 Judgement of Paris for Napa.
36
What are the three subregion DOs of Aconcagua DO? Of the three, which two are the coolest and considered to be producing some of Chile's best white wine?
Aconcagua Valley DO Casablanca DO San Antonio DO Casablanca and San Antonio are considered the coolest and among the best DOs for white wine in Chile from Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay
37
What are the 4 subzones of San Antonio DO?
Leyda Lo Abarca Rosario Malvilla
38
What are the DO subregions of the Valle Central DO from north to south in Chile? Which is the most famous and considered the classic region in Chile for Cabernet Sauvignon?
Maipo Valley Rapel Valley Curicó Maule Valley Maipo is considered the most famous and classic for Cabernet Sauvignon
39
What grape does Maipo Valley specialize in? What % of its total acreage is devoted to it? What are the next 3 most important grapes here?
Cabernet Sauvignon (over 50%) Merlot, Chardonnay, and Carmenère
40
What are 3 top producers located in the Maipo Valley?
Concha y Toro Santa Rita Cousiño Macul
41
Who is Chile's largest producer of wine?
Concha y Toro
42
What sub zone of the Maipo Valley is sourced for the production of Errázuriz's "Viñedo Chadwick", Concha y Toro's "Don Melchor", and "Almaviva", a joint project between Baron Philippe de Rothschild and Concha y Toro?
Puente Alto
43
Who makes "Viñedo Chadwick"? What is the grape? "Don Melchor"? Where are these wines produced? (sub zone, DO, Regional DO?
Errázuriz makes Viñedo Chadwick Concha y Toro makes "Don Melchor" They are both Cabernet Sauvignon varietal wines produced in the Puente Alto sub zone of Maipo Valley DO, a DO within the regional Valle Central DO
44
What two producers collaborate for the production of "Amaviva"? Where is this produced?
Baron Philippe de Rothschild and Concha y Toro Produced in Puente Alto sub zone of Maipo Valley DO, within Valle Central DO
45
What are the two subregion DOs of Rapel Valley DO? What are the top three grapes produced in both?
Cachapoal DO Colchagua DO Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Carmenère are the top three grapes produced here
46
Who makes "Clos Apalta"? Who makes "Alpha M"? Where are these wines produced? What is significant about these two wines?
Casa Lapostolle makes "Clos Apalta" Montes makes "Alpha M" These wines are both produced in Apalta, located in the eastern part of Colchagua DO, within Rapel Valley DO. These are two of Chile's iconic Bordeaux-style blends.
47
Who makes "Purple Angel"? What grape is used for its production? Where is the fruit sourced from for this wine?
Montes makes "Purple Angel" from 100% Carmenère sourced from Colchagua DO within the larger Rapel Valley DO
48
Which Chilean wine placed first in the 2004 Berlin tasting?
2000 Errázuriz Viñedo Chadwick
49
What are the top two grapes grown in the Maule Valley DO? What style of production is the Malue Valley DO geared toward?
Cabernet Sauvignon and País Bulk wine production
50
In what DO did Miguel Torres set up operations in the late 1970s in Chile?
Curicó DO
51
What are the two subregion DOs of Curicó DO?
Lontué and Teno
52
What are the top three grapes grown in Curicó? (1 red, 2 whites)
Cabernet Sauvignon for reds | Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay for whites
53
What are the 3 subregion DOs of Sur Do? What grape is each known for?
Valle del Itata Valle del Bío-Bío Valle del Malleco País and Muscat de Alexandria for Itata and Bío-Bío Pinot Noir and Chardonnay for Malleco
54
What are the three geographic terms appended to pre-existing DOs that may appear on Chilean wine labels as of 2012? Which areas does each apply to? Which accounts for over 3/4 of where grapes are grown in Chile?
Costa (proximity to coast) Entre Cordilleras (valleys between mountains) Andes (proximity to mountains) Entre Cordilleras areas account for over 3/4 of the nation's annual produce
55
In order for Chilean wine to qualify for one of the three geographic designations (Costa, Entre Cordilleras, and Andes) what % of the grapes used must be harvested in the corresponding region?
min 85%
56
Argentina is the (what) largest producer of wine in the world? (what) largest exporter of wine?
5th largest producer and 7th largest exporter
57
What two natural influences contribute to the dry continental climate that Argentina's vineyards experience?
Proximity to the Andes which provide a rain shadow effect The Zonda, a fierce, hot afternoon wind that blows down from the mountains in the late spring and early summer.
58
What is the Zonda? How does it affect the vineyards of Argentina?
Fierce, hot afternoon wind that blows down from the Andes mountains during the spring and early summer. Contributes to warm dry climate and also can adversely affect the vines flowering.
59
Due to the dry climate of Argentina's wine growing regions, what vineyard hazard has little threat here?
fungal problems
60
What is the main vineyard hazard in regards to precipitation in Argentina's vineyards during the spring and summer?
hail
61
Due to Argentina's hot continental climate, where are a majority of vines planted?
At higher elevations (up to 3,000m above sea level)
62
How high are Argentina's highest vineyards?
3,000m
63
Where is Donald Hess' Colomé Estate located in Argentina?
Salta
64
What is the average national elevation for vineyards in Argentina?
900m above sea level
65
What are the 6 leading red grapes of Argentina in decreasing order of importance?
``` Malbec Bonarda Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah Merlot Tempranillo ```
66
Argentina's Bonarda is a completely different grape than Italy's Bonarda. What is it called in Savoie? What is it called in the United States?
Called Corbeau in Savoie | Called Charbono in the United States
67
What are the 4 most planted white grapes in Argentina?
Pedro Giménez Torrontés Chardonnay Chenin Blanc
68
What is the Pedro Giminéz grape, the most planted white grape in Argentina, used for? Is it the same grape as Pedro Ximénez in Jerez?
Used mainly for bulk wines or grape concentrate. Not the same as PX in Jerez
69
What is the most popular clone of Chardonnay in Argentina? What characteristic does it have regarding the grape skins? What is its main drawback, viticulturally speaking?
Mendoza clone Good skin to juice ration Prone to millerandage in the vineyard
70
What three pink-skinned grapes occupy around 30% of Argentina's total vineyard area combined?
Cereza Criolla Chica (Mission/País) Criolla Grande
71
The terms Reserva and Gran Reserva are permitted on the labels of premium wine in Argentina. What are the aging requirements for both?
Reserva: min 6 months aging for white and 12 months for red wines Gran Reserva: min 12 months for white and 24 months for red
72
What are the 4 large winemaking regions of Argentina? Which two are Indicaciones Geográficas (IG)?
North Region Center Region Cuyo IG Patagonia IG
73
What IG in Argentina is responsible for 75% of Argentina's entire wine production? What large IG is this located in?
Mendoza IG within Cuyo IG
74
What is Salta IG reputable for?
High-Altitude Torrontés
75
Why does Torrontés perform better at higher altitudes?
Because it is prone to high alcohol levels at lower, hotter elevations.
76
The Department IG Cafayate is located within what North Region IG?
Located within Salta IG
77
Who produces "Crios"? What is the grape? What IG is it produced in?
Susan Balbo Torrontés is the grape Produced in Cafayate IG within Salta IG
78
What are two top producers in Cafayate IG?
Yacochuya Susan Balbo
79
What are the 4 IGs of the North Region in Argentina?
Catamarca IG Salta IG Jujuy IG Tucumán IG
80
What are the 3 red grapes and 1 white grape that are reputable in Catamarca IG?
Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Malbec for red Torrontés for white
81
What are the 3 IGs of Cuyo IG? N->S
La Rioja Argentina IG San Juan IG Mendoza IG
82
Famantina Valley is a department IG within what IG which is itself in what larger IG?
IG within the La Rioja Argentina IG which is within the larger Cuyo IG
83
What is the most cultivated grape in Famantina Valley IG? Second most?
Torrontés is the most cultivated followed by Malbec
84
What is the second largest wine-producing province in Argentina behind Mendoza? What grapes has this province historically been devoted to?
San Juan IG Devoted to pink-skinned varieties Cereza, Criolla Chica, and Criolla Grande
85
San Juan IG's
Multi-Department IG: Valle de Tulum Department IGs: 25 de Mayo, 9 de Julio, Albardón, Angaco, Calingasta (includes the Barreal district IG), Caucete, Chimbas, Iglesia, Jáchal, Pocito, Rawson, Rivadavia, San Martín, Santa Lucía, Sarmiento (includes the Valle del Pedernal district IG), Ullum, Valle Fértil, Zonda ## Footnote Bonarda Malbec Pedro Gimenez Syrah Torrontés
86
What is Bonarda called in San Juan?
Barbera Bondarda
87
What are the three most successful wine styles as a result of San Juan's warm climate?
Brandy, vermouth, and sherry-style wines
88
What subregion of Mendoza is home to the region's highest vineyards?
Uco Valley
89
What is the soil structure of Mendoza?
loose, alluvial sand over clay
90
Why are many of Argentina's vines planted on pre-phylloxera rootstocks?
Because of the soil type and the Zonda wind the climate is too hostile for phylloxera to survive
91
What is furrow irrigation?
Ancient method of irrigation that redirects the snowmelt channels into the vineyards.
92
What three regions in France are known for plantings of Malbec?
Cahors, Bordeaux, Loire Valley
93
Is new oak common in Mendoza Malbec?
Yes often 100% new French and/or American oak is used
94
Mendoza is home to Argentina's only two D.O.C.'s. What are they?
Lujan de Cuyo DOC (primera zone only malbec) San Rafael DOC (south mendoza, chenin blanc)
95
What grapes are authorized for Lujan de Cuyo DOC?
Malbec exclusively
96
What two departments of Central Mendoza are reputable as being home to some of Mendoza's finest sites?
Lujan de Cuyo Maipú (Primera Zona )
97
What are the two main red grapes for red wine in Uco Valley? Two main whites?
Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon for red | Chardonnay and Sémillon for white
98
What is the most planted grape in San Rafael?
Chenin Blanc
99
Who is the only producer that producers under the San Rafael DOC?
Valentín Bianchi
100
What two grapes account for a quarter of vine acreage in Mendoza but are relegated to bulk wine and grape concentrate production?
Criolla Grande and Cereza
101
What are the IGs of Patagonia? What is an emerging region that isnt an IG?
La Pampa Neuquén IG Río Negro IG Chubut (75 ha of vines in 2018. Source: INV) Zones within Chubut: Trevelin IG
102
What is the most famous estate in Patagonia? What IG does it produce from and what grape is it most famous for? What Tuscan estate owns it?
Bodegas Chacra Río Negro Pinot Noir has given it its fame Sassicaia
103
What are two top producers in Patagonia?
Bodegas Chacra Bodega Noemía de Patagonia
104
What are 5 top producers of Malbec in Mendoza?
``` Achával Ferrer Cheval des Andes Zorzal Catena Zapata Finca Sophenia ```
105
What is the most prominent region for winemaking in Brazil? (State and viticultural region)
Rio Grande do Sul (state) Serra Gaúcha (region) is predominantly red, although nearly a quarter of the country’s output is sparkling,
106
What tropical wine growing region in northern Brazil is known for being able to harvest twice a year?
São Francisco Valley
107
What subregion of Serra Gaúcha received Brazil's first Origin Indication (OI) in 2002?
Vale dos Vinhedos
108
What is the most planted red varietal in Uruguay? What is its local synonym?
Tannat It is called Harriague there
109
What are the IG's in the North Region of Argentina? What do they grow? N to S
Jujuy IG Salta IG Catamarca IG Tucumán IG Valles Calchaquíes IG** The Valles Calchaquíes are not a province; however, the IG includes the following departments in Salta, Catamarca, and Tucumán (No Jujuy is included) | high alttitude Torrontes, Syrah, Maalbec and Cabernet Sauvignon ## Footnote Cool Mountain Climate
110
Main Zones of Cuyo IG--> Mendoza IG?
North Mendoza, Primera Zone, Easte Mendoza, Uco Valley, South mendoza