South America Study Guide Flashcards
When did viticulture first appear in South America?
16th century
When did Chile, Argentina, and Brazil gain independence thus relaxing restrictions on wine production by Spain and Portugal?
1800s
What major contribution did Frenchman Claudio Gay provide to Chile?
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.
Why is Chile phylloxera-free?
Geographic isolation due to the Andes mountains.
Why was the Phylloxera outbreak a boon for Chile?
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.
What is the fifth largest wine-producing country in the world?
Argentina
The Mission grape is identical to what grape in the Canary Islands?
Listán Prieto
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?
País (Mission)
Known as Criolla Chica in Argentina
Known as Listán Prieto in Canary Islands
What is the Mission grape known as in Argentina? What are two other grapes traditionally were highly planted in Argentina?
Criolla Chica
Cereza and Criolla Grande
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?
Criolla Chica (Mission) x Muscat of Alexandria
Torrontés Mendocino. Not a product of the same crossing. Only has Muscat as a common parent
What are the three Torrontés sub varieties? Which are the product of the same crossing? Which is the odd one out? Why?
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
What two grapes were confused for Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc respectively in Chile?
Merlot that was planted turned out to be Carmenère
Much of the Sauvignon Blanc planted in Chile turned out to be Sauvignon Vert/Friulano
What grape does Argentina and Chile claim to be a unique varietal expression to their country respectively?
Malbec in Argentina
Carmenère in Chile
How long does Chile stretch from North to South? How many of these miles are dedicated to viticulture?
3,000 miles
roughly 800 miles are dedicated to viticulture
What are the 6 regional Denominations of Origin (DO) of Chile from north to south?
Atacama Coquimbo Aconcagua Valle Central Sur Austral
What is the climate like in Atacama and Coquimbo and what have the grapes been here historically been used for?
Dry and desert-like
Grapes here have been traditionally been used for Pisco production or table grapes
What DO of Chile contains the most suitable vineyards for fine wine?
Valle Central (Central Valley)
Where is the Valle Central located geographically compared to Santiago?
South of Santiago
What is the name of the cool ocean current that flows along the coast of Chile?
Humboldt Current
What natural influences combine to create the climate experienced in the Central Valley of Chile?
The cool nighttime temperatures contributed by proximity to the Andes and the cold, maritime influence of the Humboldt Current.
What mountain range separates the Central Valley in Chile from the Pacific Ocean?
Coastal Mountains
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?
irrigation
How is the climate and growing season in the vineyard areas of Southern Chile different to central?
Rainier, cooler and a shorter growing season
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?
Min 75% for each
Most producers however follow the min 85% rule for varietally labeled bottles to comply with EU standards for export.