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NEWA - CMS Master Sommelier Study > South America Study Guide > Flashcards

South America Study Guide Flashcards

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Introductory Sommelier Exam (CMS) 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
Q

Are hybrid grapes permitted in Chilean wine?

A

No

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26
Q

What is the min abv required for all wine? What about wines labeled Reserva/Reserva Especial? Reserva Privada/Gran Reserva?

A

11.5% for all wines
12% for Reserva/Reserva Especial
12.5% for Gran Reserva/Reserva Privada

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27
Q

What percentage of Chile’s total plantings are attributed to red grapes? What are the leading red grapes produced in Chile? (7)

A

73%

Cabernet Sauvignon
País
Merlot
Carmenère
Syrah
Pinot Noir
Cabernet Franc
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28
Q

What are the main white grapes produced i Chile? Which is used chiefly for distillation?

A

Sauvignon Blanc (and Sauvignon Vert)
Chardonnay
Sémillon
Muscat of Alexandria (used for distillation)

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29
Q

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?

A

Atacama and Coquimbo

Coquimbo has two subregions, Valle del Elqui and Valle del Limarí, that are gaining a reputation for Syrah and Chardonnay respectively

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30
Q

What are the three subzones of Coquimbo? Which is gaining attention for quality Syrah? Which for Chardonnay?

A

Valle del Elqui DO (Syrah)
Valle del Limarí DO (Chardonnay)
Valle del Choapa DO

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31
Q

What soil type has made Limarí DO within Coquimbo an up and coming region for Chardonnay?

A

Limestone

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32
Q

What two mountain ranges converge in the Valle del Choapa DO within Coquimbo in Chile?

A

Coastal Mountains and Andes

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33
Q

Where river does the Aconcagua DO get its name? From what mountains to what ocean does it flow?

A

Aconcagua River nearby

Flows from the Andes Mountains to the Pacific Ocean

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34
Q

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?

A

Alluvial soils

Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot

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35
Q

What commune is Errázuriz located in? What DO? What is the flagship wine produced at the estate? What is it famous for?

A

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.

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36
Q

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?

A

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

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37
Q

What are the 4 subzones of San Antonio DO?

A

Leyda
Lo Abarca
Rosario
Malvilla

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38
Q

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?

A

Maipo Valley
Rapel Valley
Curicó
Maule Valley

Maipo is considered the most famous and classic for Cabernet Sauvignon

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39
Q

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?

A

Cabernet Sauvignon (over 50%)

Merlot, Chardonnay, and Carmenère

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40
Q

What are 3 top producers located in the Maipo Valley?

A

Concha y Toro
Santa Rita
Cousiño Macul

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41
Q

Who is Chile’s largest producer of wine?

A

Concha y Toro

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42
Q

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?

A

Puente Alto

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43
Q

Who makes “Viñedo Chadwick”? What is the grape? “Don Melchor”? Where are these wines produced? (sub zone, DO, Regional DO?

A

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

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44
Q

What two producers collaborate for the production of “Amaviva”? Where is this produced?

A

Baron Philippe de Rothschild and Concha y Toro

Produced in Puente Alto sub zone of Maipo Valley DO, within Valle Central DO

45
Q

What are the two subregion DOs of Rapel Valley DO? What are the top three grapes produced in both?

A

Cachapoal DO
Colchagua DO

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Carmenère are the top three grapes produced here

46
Q

Who makes “Clos Apalta”? Who makes “Alpha M”? Where are these wines produced? What is significant about these two wines?

A

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
Q

Who makes “Purple Angel”? What grape is used for its production? Where is the fruit sourced from for this wine?

A

Montes makes “Purple Angel” from 100% Carmenère sourced from Colchagua DO within the larger Rapel Valley DO

48
Q

Which Chilean wine placed first in the 2004 Berlin tasting?

A

2000 Errázuriz Viñedo Chadwick

49
Q

What are the top two grapes grown in the Maule Valley DO? What style of production is the Malue Valley DO geared toward?

A

Cabernet Sauvignon and País

Bulk wine production

50
Q

In what DO did Miguel Torres set up operations in the late 1970s in Chile?

A

Curicó DO

51
Q

What are the two subregion DOs of Curicó DO?

A

Lontué and Teno

52
Q

What are the top three grapes grown in Curicó? (1 red, 2 whites)

A

Cabernet Sauvignon for reds

Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay for whites

53
Q

What are the 3 subregion DOs of Sur Do? What grape is each known for?

A

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
Q

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?

A

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
Q

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?

A

min 85%

56
Q

Argentina is the (what) largest producer of wine in the world? (what) largest exporter of wine?

A

5th largest producer and 7th largest exporter

57
Q

What two natural influences contribute to the dry continental climate that Argentina’s vineyards experience?

A

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
Q

What is the Zonda? How does it affect the vineyards of Argentina?

A

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
Q

Due to the dry climate of Argentina’s wine growing regions, what vineyard hazard has little threat here?

A

fungal problems

60
Q

What is the main vineyard hazard in regards to precipitation in Argentina’s vineyards during the spring and summer?

A

hail

61
Q

Due to Argentina’s hot continental climate, where are a majority of vines planted?

A

At higher elevations (up to 3,000m above sea level)

62
Q

How high are Argentina’s highest vineyards?

A

3,000m

63
Q

Where is Donald Hess’ Colomé Estate located in Argentina?

A

Salta

64
Q

What is the average national elevation for vineyards in Argentina?

A

900m above sea level

65
Q

What are the 6 leading red grapes of Argentina in decreasing order of importance?

A 
Malbec
Bonarda
Cabernet Sauvignon
Syrah
Merlot
Tempranillo
66
Q

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?

A

Called Corbeau in Savoie

Called Charbono in the United States

67
Q

What are the 4 most planted white grapes in Argentina?

A

Pedro Giménez
Torrontés
Chardonnay
Chenin Blanc

68
Q

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?

A

Used mainly for bulk wines or grape concentrate.

Not the same as PX in Jerez

69
Q

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?

A

Mendoza clone

Good skin to juice ration

Prone to millerandage in the vineyard

70
Q

What three pink-skinned grapes occupy around 30% of Argentina’s total vineyard area combined?

A

Cereza
Criolla Chica (Mission/País)
Criolla Grande

71
Q

The terms Reserva and Gran Reserva are permitted on the labels of premium wine in Argentina. What are the aging requirements for both?

A

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
Q

What are the 4 large winemaking regions of Argentina? Which two are Indicaciones Geográficas (IG)?

A

Center Region
Cuyo IG
North Region
Patagonia IG

73
Q

What IG in Argentina is responsible for 75% of Argentina’s entire wine production? What large IG is this located in?

A

Mendoza IG within Cuyo IG

74
Q

What is Salta IG reputable for?

A

High-Altitude Torrontés

75
Q

Why does Torrontés perform better at higher altitudes?

A

Because it is prone to high alcohol levels at lower, hotter elevations.

76
Q

The Department IG Cafayate is located within what North Region IG?

A

Located within Salta IG

77
Q

Who produces “Crios”? What is the grape? What IG is it produced in?

A

Susan Balbo
Torrontés is the grape
Produced in Cafayate IG within Salta IG

78
Q

What are two top producers in Cafayate IG?

A

Susan Balbo

Yacochuya

79
Q

What are the 4 IGs of the North Region in Argentina?

A

Catamarca IG
Salta IG
Jujuy IG
Tucumán IG

80
Q

What are the 3 red grapes and 1 white grape that are reputable in Catamarca IG?

A

Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Malbec for red

Torrontés for white

81
Q

What are the 3 IGs of Cuyo IG?

A

Mendoza IG
San Juan IG
La Rioja Argentina IG

82
Q

Famantina Valley is a department IG within what IG which is itself in what larger IG?

A

IG within the La Rioja Argentina IG

which is within the larger Cuyo IG

83
Q

What is the most cultivated grape in Famantina Valley IG? Second most?

A

Torrontés is the most cultivated followed by Malbec

84
Q

What is the second largest wine-producing province in Argentina behind Mendoza? What grapes has this province historically been devoted to?

A

San Juan IG

Devoted to pink-skinned varieties Cereza, Criolla Chica, and Criolla Grande

85
Q

Ullum, Jáchal, Calingasta, Pedernal Valley, Fertil Valley, Zonda, and Tulum are all departmental IGs within what IG?

A

San Juan

86
Q

What is Bonarda called in San Juan?

A

Barbera Bondarda

87
Q

What are the three most successful wine styles as a result of San Juan’s warm climate?

A

Brandy, vermouth, and sherry-style wines

88
Q

What subregion of Mendoza is home to the region’s highest vineyards?

A

Uco Valley

89
Q

What is the soil structure of Mendoza?

A

loose, alluvial sand over clay

90
Q

Why are many of Argentina’s vines planted on pre-phylloxera rootstocks?

A

Because of the soil type and the Zonda wind the climate is too hostile for phylloxera to survive

91
Q

What is furrow irrigation?

A

Ancient method of irrigation that redirects the snowmelt channels into the vineyards.

92
Q

What three regions in France are known for plantings of Malbec?

A

Cahors, Bordeaux, Loire Valley

93
Q

Is new oak common in Mendoza Malbec?

A

Yes often 100% new French and/or American oak is used

94
Q

Mendoza is home to Argentina’s only two D.O.C.’s. What are they?

A

Lujan de Cuyo DOC

San Rafael DOC

95
Q

What grapes are authorized for Lujan de Cuyo DOC?

A

Malbec exclusively

96
Q

What two departments of Central Mendoza are reputable as being home to some of Mendoza’s finest sites?

A

Lujan de Cuyo

Maipú

97
Q

What are the two main red grapes for red wine in Uco Valley? Two main whites?

A

Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon for red

Chardonnay and Sémillon for white

98
Q

What is the most planted grape in San Rafael?

A

Chenin Blanc

99
Q

Who is the only producer that producers under the San Rafael DOC?

A

Valentín Bianchi

100
Q

What two grapes account for a quarter of vine acreage in Mendoza but are relegated to bulk wine and grape concentrate production?

A

Criolla Grande and Cereza

101
Q

What are the two IGs of Patagonia? What area while not an IG is an emerging area for wine in Patagonia?

A

Río Negro IG
Nequén IG

La Pampa

102
Q

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?

A

Bodegas Chacra
Río Negro Pinot Noir has given it its fame
Sassicaia

103
Q

What are two top producers in Patagonia?

A

Bodegas Chacra

Bodega Noemía de Patagonia

104
Q

What are 5 top producers of Malbec in Mendoza?

A 
Achával Ferrer
Cheval des Andes
Zorzal
Catena Zapata
Finca Sophenia
105
Q

What is the most prominent region for winemaking in Brazil? (State and viticultural region)

A

Rio Grande do Sul (state)

Serra Gaúcha (region)

106
Q

What tropical wine growing region in northern Brazil is known for being able to harvest twice a year?

A

São Francisco Valley

107
Q

What subregion of Serra Gaúcha received Brazil’s first Origin Indication (OI) in 2002?

A

Vale dos Vinhedos

108
Q

What is the most planted red varietal in Uruguay? What is its local synonym?

A

Tannat

It is called Harriague there

NEWA - CMS Master Sommelier Study (60 decks)

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